what is mfm in pregnancy

Maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) is a subspecialty of obstetrics that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of expectant mothers and their unborn babies. MFMs are high-risk pregnancy experts who specialize in the un-routine. They help manage both the mothers health and the babys health throughout the pregnancy. MFMs can provide advice for women with chronic health conditions or those who have experienced a high-risk pregnancy in the past. They review a womans medical and pregnancy history and help to map out an optimal strategy for her next pregnancy. During pregnancy, MFMs monitor high-risk pregnancies and offer expert guidance on what medications can manage the mothers medical problems with minimal risk to the baby. They also identify risks and provide recommendations for future pregnancies. Women may need to see an MFM specialist if they have a high-risk pregnancy or are worried about having a healthy pregnancy and delivery. Some reasons for a high-risk pregnancy include heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, seizure disorders, blood clotting disorders, or infections. Women carrying more than one baby will also need to see an MFM specialist. MFMs can also help to determine what caused the loss of a baby before birth and develop a plan to reduce risk in the next pregnancy. They can test whether the fetus is at risk, use ultrasound to monitor for signs of anemia, and give intrauterine blood transfusions to support affected fetuses. MFMs can assess and recommend treatment for pregnancy problems such as too much or too little amniotic fluid, conditions in which the mothers immune system attacks the childs tissue, and diabetes or high blood pressure that develops during pregnancy. Overall, MFMs provide specialized care for women with high-risk pregnancies to ensure the best possible outcomes for both the mother and the baby.