Maternal-fetal medicine

Maternal-fetal medicine (MFM), also known as perinatology, is a branch of medicine that focuses on managing health concerns of the mother and fetus prior to, during, and shortly after pregnancy.

Maternal-fetal medicine specialists are physicians who subspecialize within the field of obstetrics. Their training typically includes a four-year obstetrics and gynecology residency and a three-year fellowship in MFM. They may perform prenatal tests, provide treatments, and perform surgeries. They act both as a consult during lower-risk pregnancies, and as the primary obstetrician in especially high-risk pregnancies. After birth, they may work closely with pediatricians or neonatologists. For the mother, maternal-fetal medicine specialists assist with pre-existing health concerns, as well as complications caused by pregnancy.

Training
Maternal-fetal medicine specialists are obstetrician-gynecologists who undergo and additional three years of specialized training in the assessment and management of high-risk pregnancies.