What is a Perinatologist / Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist?

About Perinatologists

Perinatologists, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, or high-risk obstetricians specialize in the management of complicated or high-risk pregnancies and deliveries. They are obstetricians who have completed three additional years of education and training to consult and provide care plans for mothers and babies during non-routine pregnancies and deliveries.

Often, perinatologists are part of a wider medical team involved in a woman’s pregnancy. These teams generally include Gynecologists and Obstetricians (OBGYN), Midwives, and Family Doctors / General Practitioners who work together to co-manage high-risk pregnancies.

Expecting mothers with the following existing conditions prior to becoming pregnant are often referred to a perinatologist: diabetes, HIV, high blood pressure, toxemia, heart disease, thyroid disease, gastrointestinal disease, and kidney disease.

Healthy women may also be referred to a perinatologist if they are pregnant with multiple babies (twins or triplets), have experienced previous pregnancy loss or their baby is not growing as expected.

A general Gynecologists and Obstetricians (OBGYN)) may also ask a perinatologist to consult where prenatal irregularities are found. In these cases, perinatologists conduct prenatal diagnosis using a variety of testing and imaging techniques such as highly-targeted ultrasounds or echocardiography.

Depending on the risk level of the pregnancy and condition of the patient, perinatologists may only be asked to consult on a care plan, while in some cases a general Gynecologists and Obstetricians (OBGYN) may transfer a patient into the care of a perinatologist for more frequent and direct attention.

Useful Resources

Canada

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

British Columbia

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Quebec

Newfoundland and Labrador

New Brunswick

Nova Scotia