Maternal Fetal Specialists Close to Home

What Do Maternal-Fetal Medicine Subspecialists Do? 

Maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) subspecialists treat two patients at the same time: expectant mom and baby. 

At Silver Cross, MFMs partner with the mom-to-be, her family and her medical team to navigate the “un-routine” and achieve the best possible outcome. They see patients who have experienced high-risk pregnancies in the past, women with chronic health conditions and women who develop unexpected problems during their pregnancy. 

Preconception Care

Before pregnancy, MFMs can provide advice for women with chronic health conditions or those who have experienced a high-risk pregnancy in the past. At a preconception consultation, the MFM reviews a woman’s medical and pregnancy history and helps to map out an optimal strategy for her next pregnancy. 

Genetic Screening, Ultrasound, and Prenatal Diagnosis

MFMs use ultrasound, blood tests, and procedures such as amniocentesis to look inside the womb and evaluate the developing fetus. They use advanced skills in 3D and 4D ultrasound and fetal echocardiogram to screen for birth defects and chromosome problems. They also work closely with genetic counselors to offer tests such as integrated screening, noninvasive prenatal testing, chorionic villous sampling, and amniocentesis.

  • Diagnostic amniocentesis: Guided by ultrasound, the MFM uses a needle to collect a small amount of amniotic fluid to test for genetic diseases, fetal lung maturity, or infection.
  • Therapeutic amniocentesis: When a fetus has too much amniotic fluid, the MFM can place a needle in the uterus, guided by ultrasound, and remove extra fluid. This process can reduce the risk of early birth and treat certain fetal diseases
  • Chorionic villus sampling (CVS): In a CVS, the MFM uses a thin tube or a needle to sample the placenta during the first third of the pregnancy. The MFM uses ultrasound to perform a CVS, either through the cervix or the abdomen to test the placental sample for certain fetal diseases and health conditions.
Labor and Delivery

MFMs work with other OB care providers to ensure high-quality care during labor and childbirth. They provide expert advice on when to induce labor, when and how to monitor the fetal heart rate, and whether a cesarean delivery is indicated. Their training provides them with advanced skills for attending complicated births, such as vacuum or forceps-assisted births, cesarean birth, or trial of labor after cesarean.

Pregnancy problems

Women who have experienced a high-risk pregnancy in the past face higher risks with their next pregnancy. In other cases, women who have existing health problems may need extra care during pregnancy or becoming pregnant. MFMs care for women with:

  • High blood pressure
  • Early contractions or pre-term labor
  • Bleeding
  • Heart problems
  • Women with chronic lung problems
  • Diabetes or other endocrine problems
  • Kidney problems
  • Neurological conditions
  • Immune system disorders
  • Cancer
  • Twins, triplets and more

Physicians on Silver Cross Hospital’s Medical Staff have expertise in their areas of practice to meet the needs of patients seeking their care. These physicians are independent practitioners on the Medical Staff and are not the agents or employees of Silver Cross Hospital. They treat patients based upon their independent medical judgment and they bill patients separately for their services.