What is a fetal doctor called?
A: A maternal-fetal medicine specialist (perinatologist) receives a traditional obstetrics and gynecology education but with an additional three years of training to learn how to treat medical complications that are related to pregnancy.
When should I see a maternal fetal medicine specialist?
You may also need a maternal fetal medicine specialist if you’ve had problems with a pregnancy in the past, you need special tests or procedures, or you or your baby develops problems anytime during your pregnancy (such as a birth defect). Women carrying more than one baby will also need to see an MFM specialist.
Why would you be referred to fetal medicine unit?
Women are referred to our fetal medicine unit when an abnormality is detected during a routine scan, or if there is concern for the health of an unborn baby.
What age is pregnancy high-risk?
Maternal age. One of the most common risk factors for a high-risk pregnancy is the age of the mother-to-be. Women who will be under age 17 or over age 35 when their baby is due are at greater risk of complications than those between their late teens and early 30s.
What is high-risk ultrasound?
Ultrasound Evaluation Being a high-risk pregnancy means you will have routine ultrasound examinations performed by a registered sonographer and reviewed by a perinatologist.
What happens at a fetal medicine scan?
Fetal medicine involves the assessment of the unborn fetus mainly by ultrasound. This may allow monitoring of certain conditions, the diagnosis of congenital disorders, in utero (within the womb) therapy, optimisation of time and place of delivery and optimisation of postnatal management.
Who is fetal medicine specialist?
Fetal medicine or Perinatology is a medical division that is concerned with the management of the health of mother and fetus during and after pregnancy. A fetal medicine specialist is a doctor who specializes in taking care of women with complicated pregnancies.