Our skilled team of maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) physicians work closely with you, your obstetrician and the rest of your maternity care team. Starting from preconception counseling and genetic counseling, to performing higher levels of detailed ultrasounds and consults throughout the duration of your pregnancy. We do everything we can to keep moms and babies safe, healthy and happy.

What Is Maternal-Fetal Medicine?

Maternal-Fetal Medicine (or perinatology) is a unique specialty of obstetrics that involves the diagnosis, evaluation and management of problems that may affect a mother or her unborn child. Our multidisciplinary team approach provides the highest level of medical and obstetrical care.

Do MFM Doctors Deliver Babies?

The answer is maybe.  Primarily your Maternal Fetal Medicine physician will work alongside with your obstetrician and you to develop a plan of care to work toward a healthy pregnancy. Most of the time, your obstetrician will deliver your baby. Depending on your hospital location, your MFM specialist will provide in-person or telehealth services.

When to See an MFM Specialist 

There are various circumstances and specific genetic conditions that may warrant a consultation with an MFM specialist. A few include a mother's health or health history, diabetes (gestational or otherwise), hypertension, or any other possible or known abnormalities. 

What to Expect During and MFM Consultation

What to expect during the consultation will depend upon why the patient was referred. Typically, an ultrasound will be performed before a patient meets with the Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist. Additionally, questions about your medical history, family history, and any complications during other pregnancies will likely be discussed. The MFM may also require follow-up consultations, additional ultrasounds, and other testing.

Conditions We Treat

At Baptist Health, our MFM specialists have years of experience treating women. They will support the following: 

• Preconception counseling
• Genetic disorders
• Past and Current Medical complications
• A history of birth defects
• Diabetes or other endocrine disorders
• Diagnostic or therapeutic procedures during pregnancy
• First-trimester screening for Down syndrome
• Comprehensive ultrasound
• Amniocentesis 
• Fetal echocardiography
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Preeclampsia (toxemia)
• Kidney or gastrointestinal disease
• Infectious diseases
• Multiple gestations — twins, triplets or more
• Recurrent preterm labor and delivery
• Premature rupture of membranes (water breaking early)
• Recurrent pregnancy loss
• Suspected fetal growth restriction (baby not growing normally)

Services We Offer

Expectant mothers want to give their babies the very best possible start in life. For this reason, we offer the following:

• Complete ultrasound - detailed evaluation of fetal anatomy, growth and amniotic fluid.  The ultrasound is performed by staff specially trained in maternal ultrasound.
• First trimester screening - a combination of ultrasound and blood testing from the mother to identify fetal chromosomal abnormalities
• Fetal Echocardiography - detailed ultrasound imaging of the heart and its major vessels that can detect abnormalities of the heart before birth. This service is a part of our Fetal Echocardiography clinic with 
• Amniocentesis - procedure to obtain amniotic fluid that can be used for diagnosis of genetic disorders, analysis of fetal infection, or determination of fetal lung maturity
• Evaluation and Management of pregnancies complicated by past and current medical conditions
• Preconception Counseling- meet with our MFM specialist to discuss your plans for future pregnancy. 
• Counseling following miscarriage

Why Choose Baptist Health for Maternity Care?

Choosing where you have your baby is an important decision that can affect your pregnancy and birth experience in a big way. Women and families choose Baptist Health for maternity care because of our:

• Experience and compassion: Baptist Health’s maternity care professionals have dedicated their careers to caring for moms and their babies. Many of our experienced OB/GYNs, MFM specialists, neonatologists and nurses have received extra training in obstetrics and newborn care. Our passion for our jobs is illustrated in the extra-special care we offer families.

• Ability to handle higher-risk pregnancies: Our team of MFM specialists is available 24 hours a day at every Baptist Health location, either on-site or via live videoconference. We work closely with other maternity care professionals to safeguard the health of moms and babies during pregnancies and deliveries. 
• Personalized care for mom and baby: We work with women to support their birth goals whenever possible during labor and delivery. We’ll do everything we can to help you experience the childbirth you imagine while prioritizing the health and safety of mom and baby.
• Advanced neonatal care: Our neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are always ready to provide emergency care for your little one.