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Ten Things Your Provider Wishes You Knew About High Risk Pregnancy
By LMFM Staff on February 9, 2022
For many people, seeing a maternal fetal medicine (MFM) specialist can be a little scary. Having a pregnancy designated as “high risk,” whatever the reason, can be a lot. As part of your care team, we want you to be empowered to know as much as you can, so you are more in control of every aspect of your care.
- It’s not your fault you have a high-risk pregnancy! It’s nothing you did or didn’t do; it just happens sometimes.
- An MFM is a specialized type of obstetrician who is an expert in helping families with high risk pregnancies. In addition to a four-year residency, three years of additional training is required to become a maternal fetal medicine subspecialist (also called a perinatologist). MFMs care for patients with conditions such as high blood pressure, cardiac or lung problems, diabetes, or if you are over 35. Pregnancies are also considered high risk when you are carrying twins (or more), have experienced preterm birth or pregnancy loss, or if the fetus has genetic or physical factors that require close monitoring.
- Having a high risk pregnancy can make you feel worried or anxious: part of your care will include helping you with any mental health issues that can arise.
- There are many reasons we do ultrasound scans, such as to determine your due date, to check the fetus’ anatomy and growth, and to assess the placenta. To check the sex of the baby or to get “fun” pictures isn’t one of them and we don’t recommend using ultrasound for this purpose. Ultrasound is safe, but if an untrained technician is performing the exam, they may miss important indicators of problems.
- Your provider wants you to ask questions! Active and compassionate listening is one of the most important things we do.
- Your MFM provider coordinates care with you and your obstetrician, and monitors you and the baby carefully, but doesn’t actually deliver the baby.
- You can see an MFM before you get pregnant to talk about the effect any pre-existing conditions may have on your pregnancy. Pre-conception counseling is a great way to make sure you have the healthiest pregnancy possible.
- Having a high risk pregnancy does not mean you will have a more difficult pregnancy–it simply means you will need to be monitored more closely.
- Having a high risk pregnancy does not mean any future pregnancy will also be considered high risk.
- You do not need a referral from your provider to get an appointment at MFM. Our patients do their research and know we are the best choice for them.
Still have questions? You can call or email the office and we will make time to talk to you.
