For many women, pregnancy is one of life’s most joyful and transformative experiences. Yet it can also bring uncertainty and concern, especially if health complications are involved. Some women begin pregnancy with these complications, while others develop issues as their pregnancy progresses.

While pregnancy is a unique journey for every woman, certain pregnancies end up requiring extra monitoring, advanced imaging, and additional medical expertise – and that’s where maternal fetal medicine specialists come in.

“Your pregnancy is high risk, so we’re referring you to a maternal fetal medicine specialist.”

When expectant mothers receive this news from their OB/GYN, it often creates anxiety at first. But maternal fetal medicine specialists play an essential role in helping patients navigate complex pregnancies, providing diagnostic testing, detailed ultrasounds, risk assessments, and collaborative care alongside the patient’s OB/GYN for the healthiest possible outcomes.

The TopLine MD Alliance is here to explain what makes a pregnancy high risk, what maternal fetal medicine specialists do, how they differ from OB/GYNs, and what conditions may lead to a referral, so expectant mothers can feel more prepared (and less anxious) if a maternal fetal medicine specialist becomes involved in their prenatal care.

What is a high-risk pregnancy?

All pregnancies carry risks. A high-risk pregnancy is one where the mother, the developing fetus, or both face an increased chance of health complications before, during, or after delivery. Approximately 30,000 to 50,000 pregnant women in the United States have high-risk pregnancies each year.

As an expectant mother, it can be easy to panic when your OB/GYN says you have a high-risk pregnancy. But that does not mean your pregnancy will automatically be difficult – it means that your TopLine MD Alliance Network care team (including your OB/GYN and your maternal fetal medicine specialist) will be watching you more closely.

Having a high-risk pregnancy is not a guarantee that you or your growing baby will have health problems. Many expectant mothers experience healthy pregnancies and normal labor and delivery, despite needing additional medical care prior to giving birth.

What makes a pregnancy high-risk?

Some pregnancies are high-risk from the start, while others become high-risk at some point during the pregnancy. There are many factors that make a pregnancy high risk, including:

Pre-existing health conditions

These are health conditions that are present before pregnancy, such as:

  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
  • Kidney disease
  • Thyroid disease
  • Lupus
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Uterine fibroids
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  • Blood clotting disorders
  • Depression

Advanced maternal age (being 35 or older at the estimated delivery date) is also classified as a high-risk pregnancy. While many mothers over age 35 have healthy pregnancies, these pregnancies are monitored more closely due to the increased likelihood of certain complications.

Pregnancy-related health conditions

These are health conditions that develop after pregnancy begins, such as:

  • Gestational diabetes
  • Gestational hypertension
  • Preeclampsia or eclampsia
  • Low birth weight
  • Multiple gestation (twins, triplets, etc.)
  • Placenta previa or a placental abruption
  • Too much or too little amniotic fluid

Prior pregnancy complications, such as preterm birth, also automatically classify a pregnancy as high risk. After one preterm birth, the chance of having another ranges from 15% to more than 50%, and this risk increases with each additional preterm delivery.

Lifestyle factors

Lifestyle factors that may contribute to a high-risk pregnancy include:

  • Smoking or vaping
  • Substance use
  • Poor diet
  • Lack of physical activity
  • Stress
  • Inadequate prenatal care
  • Exposure to certain toxins or other harmful substances

Modifying these behaviors is crucial to a healthy pregnancy, so ask if you need professional assistance.

What do maternal fetal medicine specialists do?

TopLine MD Alliance Network maternal fetal medicine specialists are physicians who have completed additional years of fellowship training in high-risk pregnancy care. They work alongside OB/GYNs, primary care providers, and other specialists to provide comprehensive support for both mother and baby before, during, and after pregnancy.

Before pregnancy

TopLine MD Alliance Network maternal fetal medicine specialists often become involved before conception, helping women with pre-existing health conditions prepare for pregnancy through preconception counseling.

If you have a chronic condition or are of advanced maternal age, consider meeting with a maternal fetal medicine specialist before conception. During this visit, the maternal fetal medicine specialist will review your health history and develop a plan to reduce your risks in future pregnancies.

Have you experienced pregnancy complications in the past, such as preterm birth or pregnancy loss? TopLine MD Alliance Network maternal fetal medicine specialists can investigate the possible causes and suggest treatments or monitoring strategies to help avoid complications in future pregnancies.

During pregnancy

TopLine MD Alliance Network maternal fetal medicine specialists closely monitor both mother and baby during pregnancy and are trained to identify genetic or chromosomal abnormalities. With access to advanced imaging and specialized testing options, TopLine MD Alliance Network maternal fetal medicine specialists can provide early insight into your baby’s health and guide you through the next steps if any issues are detected.

Health conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, or kidney disease may worsen during pregnancy. TopLine MD Alliance Network maternal fetal medicine specialists carefully monitor these conditions, recommend safe medications, and work to keep both mother and baby stable throughout the pregnancy.

Women of advanced maternal age (35 or older) face higher risks of genetic or chromosomal abnormalities, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and other pregnancy complications. TopLine MD Alliance Network maternal fetal medicine specialists use advanced imaging to improve the detection of these issues compared to routine ultrasounds.

After pregnancy

TopLine MD Alliance Network maternal fetal medicine specialists can provide recommendations for delivery planning to ensure that any necessary interventions are available and assist in coordinating neonatal intensive care. They also ensure a safe transition back to your OB/GYN and can provide family planning for any future pregnancies.

Providing reassurance

One of the most important roles of maternal fetal medicine specialists is to help reassure expectant mothers while encouraging proactive prenatal care. Deciding whether to see a TopLine MD Alliance Network maternal fetal medicine specialist often comes down to one question: Do you want access to specialized expertise for your pregnancy?

With a maternal fetal medicine specialist involved, you are not only addressing potential complications but also giving yourself and your baby the best chance for a healthy outcome.

Maternal fetal medicine specialists vs. OB/GYNs

Maternal fetal medicine is a subspecialty of obstetrics and gynecology (where the term OB/GYN comes from). All maternal fetal medicine specialists are OB/GYNs, but not all OB/GYNs are maternal fetal medicine specialists.

TopLine MD Alliance Network maternal fetal medicine specialists complete four years of residency training in obstetrics and gynecology, followed by 2-3 years of fellowship training that prepares them to care for expectant mothers and unborn babies with a higher risk of prenatal complications.

Maternal fetal medicine specialists are also known as perinatologists. Here’s a comparison of perinatologists vs. OB/GYNs to show how these roles differ:

OB/GYNS

  • Primary provider for routine women’s health, low-risk pregnancies, labor and delivery, and general wellness
  • Four years of medical school followed by a four-year OB/GYN residency
  • Conduct prenatal checkups, perform vaginal deliveries and C-sections, and manage mild to moderate prenatal complications

Perinatologists (Maternal fetal medicine specialists)

  • Specialist who co-manages or consults on high-risk pregnancies alongside the patient’s OB/GYN
  • Four years of medical school, a four-year OB/GYN residency, and a 2-3 year fellowship in maternal fetal medicine
  • Focus on pre-existing and pregnancy-related health conditions, perform high-level ultrasounds and other advanced imaging, and do specialized testing for genetic and chromosomal abnormalities

If you have a high-risk pregnancy, your OB/GYN will refer you to a maternal fetal medicine specialist for monitoring, although your OB/GYN typically still performs the actual delivery. Depending on your risk level, you may see both physicians concurrently or have your care transferred completely to the maternal fetal medicine specialist until you deliver.

A network approach

TopLine MD Alliance Network physicians provide access to experienced women’s health providers and specialists who collaborate to deliver comprehensive, coordinated care

throughout your pregnancy. With this network approach, expectant mothers can receive the advanced support and monitoring they need while remaining connected to trusted healthcare providers.

Find top-tier pregnancy care in Florida today

Whether you are searching for an OB/GYN or received a referral for a maternal fetal medicine specialist due to a high-risk pregnancy, TopLine MD Alliance Network physicians are standing by to help you.

The TopLine MD Alliance is a healthcare alliance of independent physicians and medical practice groups dedicated to enhancing the patient experience. By connecting Florida patients with top-tier providers, diagnostic centers, and imaging facilities, the TopLine MD Alliance aims to deliver high-quality care efficiently and conveniently. Specialties in women’s health include obstetrics, gynecology, maternal fetal medicine, obstetrics/gynecology imaging, urogynecology, female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery, adolescent gynecology, gynecologic oncology, and more.

To learn more, find a provider near you today.