Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist

Maternal-Fetal Medicine, also called perinatology, is a branch of obstetrics focused on managing higher-risk pregnancies. It involves the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions that can affect the health of the mother, the baby, or both during pregnancy and delivery.

This care is for women whose pregnancy may need extra attention, including those with pre-existing conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, autoimmune or clotting disorders, or infections; a history of pregnancy complications such as preterm birth; multiple pregnancies (twins or more); complications that develop during pregnancy; or a possible birth defect or abnormality seen on ultrasound.

Assessment begins with a detailed review of your history and pregnancy. We use detailed ultrasound to monitor fetal growth and development, and where indicated may recommend genetic screening or diagnostic tests such as amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or umbilical cord sampling to evaluate for birth defects, cardiac issues or blood disorders.

Care is tailored to your situation and coordinated closely with your wider medical team. It can include prenatal monitoring for high-risk pregnancies, management of maternal conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, fetal treatment where needed, close monitoring through labour and delivery, and management of any postpartum complications.