Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM)
At the Perinatal Center at Aurora BayCare Medical Center, you and your primary OB-GYN will work with our maternal fetal medicine (MFM) specialists, also known as perinatologists. These high-risk maternal care experts focus solely on managing complicated pregnancies and ensuring the health of both you and your baby.
Our specialists have access to state-of-the-art technologies for diagnostic testing and monitoring, as well as expertise in advanced methods for high-risk pregnancy management.
Care for high-risk pregnancies
Sometimes, you and your future baby need more than routine prenatal care. That’s when our maternal fetal medicine specialists are here to help.
Maternal fetal medicine is a subspecialty of obstetrics that focuses on expectant mothers with special medical needs.
Your pregnancy may be considered high risk if you:
- Are over 35
- Are expecting multiples
- Have high blood pressure or diabetes
- Have a history of pregnancy-related complications
- Have a genetic history that could cause abnormalities
What is maternal and fetal medicine?
Maternal fetal medicine is a specialized branch of obstetrics that focuses on managing high-risk pregnancies. An MFM specialist is an OB-GYN with additional training in fetal medicine and the treatment of mothers with medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure.
These specialists provide advanced prenatal care for women with complications, ensuring the best possible outcome for both mother and baby. They work closely with obstetricians, neonatologists and other healthcare providers to manage high-risk maternal care and complicated pregnancies.
How is MFM care different from OB-GYN care?
While both OB-GYNs and maternal fetal medicine doctors specialize in pregnancy and childbirth, an MFM specialist has additional training in managing high-risk pregnancies. Unlike a general OB-GYN, an MFM doctor provides specialized care for women with medical conditions, diseases or other pregnancy complications.
A maternal fetal medicine doctor performs advanced diagnostic testing such as detailed fetal ultrasounds, including level II ultrasounds, Doppler studies and fetal echocardiography to assess fetal development and detect potential abnormalities.
In most cases, maternal fetal medicine specialists do not perform deliveries. Instead, they collaborate with your OB-GYN or labor and delivery team to manage your complicated pregnancy and ensure a safe birth.
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Services
Our maternal fetal medicine specialists provide a complete range of OB/GYN services, from routine obstetrical care to management for complex prenatal conditions. Services include:
- Prepregnancy consultation
- Pregnancy planning for medical complications, such as diabetes, chronic hypertension, or renal disease, or a history of multiple miscarriages
- Clinical management for pregnancies complicated by obstetrical or surgical conditions
- Genetic and nutrition counseling
The NICU
Not everyone needs the highest level of neonatal care. But if your baby does, you can feel confident knowing that Aurora BayCare Medical Center hosts a Level lll neonatal intensive care unit . We offer around-the-clock coverage by our experienced team of board-certified, fellowship-trained neonatologists complemented by a team of neonatal nurse practitioners, newborn care nurses and registered respiratory therapists.
We also offer a variety of specialty services such as children's cardiology, neurosurgery, and more through our Children's Health services.