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If you have a chronic health condition or you or your baby experience an unexpected problem during pregnancy, your doctor or midwife may refer you to maternal-fetal medicine.
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Welcome From Division Chief
Our division specializes in high-risk pregnancies, offering a comprehensive range of services for complex fetal anomalies through collaboration with community hospitals in the Louisville area.
We provide multidisciplinary outpatient consultative services, including advanced prenatal diagnostic techniques and surgical interventions, while actively engaging in the education of medical students, residents and fellows in evidence-based medicine.
Additionally, our faculty participate in clinical and translational research, frequently presenting at conferences and publishing findings, supported by a dedicated team of research coordinators. Fellows gain valuable clinical experiences at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, which enhances their training in managing a wide ranging patient population, including those with significant medical conditions.
Sincerely,
Edward Miller, MD
Division Chief
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Division
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Maternal-fetal medicine is an ob-gyn sub-specialty that focuses on managing pregnancy complications in a mother and/or her baby. An MFM, also known as a perinatologist, is an ob-gyn who has undergone specialized training to manage high-risk pregnancies.
An MFM doctor offers recommendations for care, monitors a pregnant woman's condition and oversees any testing or treatment that a woman or her baby needs. Care can start before a baby is conceived, during pregnancy, or after delivery. They’re part of a medical team, which can include an ob-gyn, midwife, or family physician who work together to make sure you get comprehensive care throughout your pregnancy. MFM doctors may also work closely with other specialists such as neonatologists, pediatric cardiologists, or surgeons, as well.
If you’re planning to get pregnant and have a chronic health condition or are at risk of certain pregnancy complications, an MFM can help create a roadmap to ensure you have the healthiest pregnancy possible. They can consult with you about carrier genetic testing to determine if you or your partner may be at higher risk of passing along specific conditions, such as sickle cell disease or Tay-Sachs disease, especially if you have a child with a genetic condition. If you experience recurrent pregnancy loss, they may be able to diagnose the cause.
MFM doctors treat pregnant women with a chronic health conditions, ideally starting before they get pregnant. Examples of conditions that may require management by an MFM doctor include:
- diabetes
- high blood pressure
- kidney disease
- heart disease
- asthma
- obesity
- inflammatory bowel disease
- eating disorders
- depression
- cystic fibrosis
- thyroid disease
- sickle cell disease
- multiple sclerosis
- lupus
- seizure disorder
- cancer
A doctor or midwife may also refer a woman to an MFM if a woman had a previous high-risk pregnancy or premature delivery.
Your practitioner may suggest seeing an MFM for complications that arise during pregnancy, such as:
- hyperemesis gravidarum
- carrying twins or more (depending on the type of twins and the provider's comfort level with managing a multiple pregnancy)
- fetal growth restriction (FGR)
- a baby’s birth defect or chromosomal abnormality
- preeclampsia
- placental problems, such as placenta previa or placenta accreta
- sexually transmitted infections
- increased risk of preterm birth, such as preterm premature rupture of membranes or cervical insufficiency
A MFM doctor can also help manage complications after birth, including heavy bleeding, elevated blood pressure, diabetes, or seizures.