Maternal-fetal medicine
Abbreviation: MFM
Maternal-fetal medicine (MFM), also called perinatology, is a medical subspecialty focused on pregnancies that carry higher risks for the mother, baby, or both. MFM specialists manage conditions such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, twins or higher-order multiples, fetal abnormalities, and pregnancies complicated by heart disease, lupus, or other chronic illnesses. They perform detailed fetal anatomy scans, amniocentesis, and fetal procedures when needed. Your regular obstetrician may refer you to an MFM specialist for a single consultation or for ongoing co-management throughout your pregnancy. The goal is to optimise outcomes for both you and your baby.
What This Means for You
Understanding Maternal-fetal medicine is an important part of your high-risk pregnancy journey. During pregnancy, your care team will use this term regularly. Being familiar with it means you can ask better questions and feel more confident at your antenatal appointments.
Explore our Pregnancy hubGood to Know
KKH and NUH both have dedicated maternal-fetal medicine units that accept referrals from private and public obstetricians. A referral does not necessarily mean something is seriously wrong; many are made simply for a specialist scan or a second opinion.
Related Terms
Source: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/dictionary
Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised advice.
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