Maternal Fetal Medicine FAQs

Treatments and conditions covered by Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM)

Our maternal fetal medicine specialists and fetal medicine experts evaluate and treat a wide range of complex fetal conditions and high-risk pregnancy concerns, including:

• Abdominal Wall Defects
• Achondrogenesis
• Achondroplasia
• Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum
• Ambiguous Genitalia
• Amniotic Band Syndrome (Abs)
• Anencephaly
• Anomalies of Cortical Development
• Anomalous Pulmonary Veins
• Anorectal Malformations
• Aortic Stenosis
• Apert Syndrome
• Arachnoid Cyst
• Arterial Tortuosity
• Arteriovenous Malformations
• Arthrogryposis
• Atrial Septal Defect
• Atrioventricular Canal Defect
• Atrioventricular Canal
• Bicuspid Aortic Valve
• Birth Defect
• Bladder Exstrophy
• Body-Stalk Anomaly
• Brachial Cleft Remnant
• Bradyarrhythmias
• Bronchopulmonary Sequestration (BRS)
• Campomelic Dysplasia
• Cardiomyopathy
• Cerebral Calcifications
• Cervical Teratoma
• Choledochal Cyst
• Chondrodysplasia Punctata
• Chorioangioma
• Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate
• Clinodactyly
• Cloacal Exstrophy
• Clubfoot
• Coarctation of the Aorta
• Colonic Atresia
• Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
• Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
• Congenital Heart Disease
• Congenital High Airway Obstruction Syndrome
• Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformation
• Conjoined Twins
• Craniofacial Anomalies
• Craniofacial Microsomia
• Craniosynostosis
• Crouzon Syndrome
• Crouzonodermoskeletal Syndrome
• Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation
• Cystic Hygroma in Early Pregnancy
• Cystic Hygroma in Late Pregnancy
• Cystic Lesions of the Abdomen
• Dandy Walker Syndrome
• Dandy-Walker Malformation and Variants
• Diabetes
• Diastrophic Dysplasia
• Digeorge Syndrome
• Double Inlet Left Ventricle
• Double Outlet Right Ventricle
• Down Syndrome
• Duodenal Atresia and Stenosis
• Ebstein’s Anomaly
• Echogenic Kidneys
• Ectopia Cordis
• Ectrodactyly
• Eisenmenger Syndrome
• Ellis-Van Creveld Syndrome
• Encephalocele
• Esophageal Atresia and Tracheoesophageal Fistula
• Exencephaly/Acrania
• Fetal Anomaly
• Fetal Arrhythmias
• Fetal Distress
• Fetal Spina Bifida
• Fetal Thyroid Disorders
• Gastroschisis
• Genetic Defect
• Gestational Diabetes
• Goiter
• Hemifacial Microsomia
• Hemivertebrae
• Heterotaxy Syndrome
• High Blood Pressure
• High Risk Pregnancy
• Hirschsprung’s Disease
• Holoprosencephaly
• Hydranencephaly
• Hydrocephalus
• Hydronephrosis (Various Types)
• Hydrothorax
• Hypertelorism
• Hypophosphatasia
• Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
• Hypoplastic Left Ventricle
• Hypoplastic Right Ventricle
• Hypotelorism
• Immune Hydrops
• Imperforate Anus
• Interrupted Aortic Arch
• Intestinal Malrotation
• Intra-Abdominal Calcifications
• Intracardiac Tumors
• Intracranial Hemorrhage
• Intrauterine Death in one Twin
• Intrauterine Growth Restriction
• Jarcho-Levin Syndrome
• Jejunoileal Atresia and Stenosis
• Klinefelter Syndrome
• Liver Tumors
• Macrocephaly
• Macroglossia
• Malformation in Twins
• Mesoblastic Nephroma
• Microcephaly
• Micrognathia and Agnathia
• Microphthalmia/Anophthalmia
• Monoamniotic Twins
• Monochorionic Twins
• Multicystic Dysplastic Kidney
• Myelodysplasia
• Myelomeningocele
• Neural Tube Defects
• Neuroblastoma
• Neurofibromatosis
• Nonimmune Hydrops Fetalis
• Oligohydramnios
• Omphalocele
• Osteogenesis Imperfecta
• Other Autosomal Aneuploidies
• Other Cystic Lesions of the Chest
• Ovarian Cysts
• Overgrowth Syndromes
• Patent Ductus Arteriosus
• Pentalogy Of Cantrell
• Persistent Cloaca
• Polycystic Kidney Disease
• Polydactyly
• Polyhydramnios
• Porencephaly
• Preeclampsia
• Pregnant
• Prenatal Care
• Prenatal Diagnosis
• Pulmonary Agenesis
• Pulmonary Stenosis and Atresia
• Pyloric Atresia and Stenosis
• Radial Aplasia
• Renal Agenesis
• Retinoblastoma
• Sacrococcygeal Teratoma
• Short-Rib Polydactyly Syndrome
• Single Umbilical Artery
• Sirenomelia
• Spina Bifida
• Syndactyly
• Tachyarrhythmias
• Tetralogy of Fallot
• Tetrasomy 12P (Pallister-Killian Syndrome)
• Thanatophoric Dysplasia
• Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return
• Transposition of Great Arteries
• Triple X Syndrome
• Triploidy
• Trisomy 13
• Trisomy 18
• Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome)
• Trisomy X
• Truncus Arteriosus
• Turner Syndrome
• Twin Reversed Arterial Perfusion Sequence
• Twin-To-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (Ttts)
• Umbilical Cord Abnormalities
• Umbilical Hernia
• Vein of Galen Aneurysm
• Ventricular Septal Defect
• Ventricular Septal Defects
• Wilms’ Tumor

Q: What is a maternal-fetal medicine doctor?
A: A maternal-fetal medicine doctor is a specialized doctor who helps moms and babies during a complicated pregnancy. They are also known as high-risk pregnancy specialists or fetal medicine specialists. They take care of moms who might have health problems or babies who might need extra help before they’re born.

Q: When should I see a maternal-fetal medicine doctor?
A: You might need to see a maternal-fetal medicine doctor if:

• You have health problems like diabetes or high blood pressure
• You’re pregnant with twins or more
• You’ve had problems with pregnancies before
• Your regular doctor thinks your baby might need special care

Q: What happens at my first visit with a maternal-fetal medicine doctor?
A: At your first visit, the doctor will:

• Ask about your health history
• Do a physical exam
• Maybe do an ultrasound to look at your baby
• Answer your questions
• Make a plan for your care

Q: Will I still see my regular doctor if I’m seeing a maternal-fetal medicine doctor?
A: Yes, you’ll still see your regular doctor. The maternal-fetal medicine doctor will work with your regular doctor to give you the best care.

Q: What kinds of tests might a maternal-fetal medicine doctor do?
A: They might do tests like:

• Special ultrasounds to look closely at your baby
• Blood tests to check on your health
• Tests to check if your baby has any health problems

Q: Can maternal-fetal medicine doctors help if my baby needs surgery before birth?
A: Yes, some maternal-fetal medicine doctors can do surgery on babies before they’re born. This is for very special cases when a baby needs help right away.

Q: How often will I need to see a maternal-fetal medicine doctor?
A: It depends on why you’re seeing the doctor. Some moms might go once or twice during pregnancy. Others might go more often if they need extra care.

Q: Will my insurance cover seeing a maternal-fetal medicine doctor?
A: Most insurance plans cover maternal-fetal medicine care. But it’s a good idea to check with your insurance company to make sure.

Q: Can a maternal-fetal medicine doctor deliver my baby?
A: Usually, your regular doctor or midwife will deliver your baby. The maternal-fetal medicine doctor will help plan for the delivery and be there if needed.

Q: What should I bring to my appointment with a maternal-fetal medicine doctor?
A: Bring:

• Your medical records
• A list of your medicines
• Any ultrasound pictures you have
• A list of questions you want to ask