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The hidden heroes of pregnancy health: What can maternal-fetal medicine specialists do?
Maternal–fetal medicine (MFM), also known as perinatal medicine, is a field of medicine focused on managing the health of the mother and fetus during pregnancy. Physicians in this specialty are called maternal-fetal medicine specialists, and they further their training in obstetrics and gynecology, typically completing four years of residency training followed by another three years of fellowship.
Maternal-fetal medicine specialists perform a variety of medical procedures, from prenatal testing and treatment to surgery.
They can serve as consultants in low-risk pregnancies and may also serve as the primary surgeon in high-risk pregnancies. After delivery, they work closely with a pediatrician or neonatologist to ensure the health of both mother and baby.
Historical Development
The development of maternal-fetal medicine can be traced back to the 1960s. Advances in medical technology at the time allowed physicians to diagnose and treat a variety of fetal problems in the womb. Advances in technology, such as amniocentesis and real-time ultrasound, are finally allowing physicians to intervene earlier in the course of fetal health.
In 1963, Albert William Lillie performed the first intrauterine blood transfusion for Rh-incompatibility in Australia, pioneering fetal therapy.
In addition, interventions using glucocorticoids to promote lung maturation have significantly improved the health of premature infants. With the emergence of these new technologies, specialized maternal-fetal medicine organizations were established one after another. The first International Perinatal Medicine Congress was held in 1991, and the World Association of Perinatal Medicine was established.
Business Scope
Maternal-fetal medicine specialists often have patients who fall into certain health risk categories that reflect risks to the health of the mother, the fetus, or both during pregnancy. They care for pregnant women who have chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, kidney infection, pregnancy-induced hypertension, etc., as well as those who are at risk for pregnancy-related complications.
Adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as fetal growth restriction or chromosomal abnormalities, are health issues that require attention from maternal-fetal medicine specialists.
These specialists may also need to see you at different times as your pregnancy progresses. After delivery, they may continue to follow up to monitor and manage the mother's health issues.
Professional training
Maternal-fetal medicine specialists must complete general obstetrician and gynecologist training and then receive three years of specialized training. Their training includes prenatal diagnosis using ultrasound, amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling, and some physicians have further training in fetal diagnosis and prenatal treatment.
Professional maternal-fetal medicine physicians are committed to improving the health and safety of mothers and babies, and have significantly reduced the incidence of pregnancy complications.
As maternal-fetal medicine develops, this field continues to face new challenges, and maternal-fetal medicine experts need to constantly update their knowledge and skills to reduce maternal and infant mortality. In fact, maternal and infant mortality rates have fallen by more than 23% since 1990.
Looking to the future
In today's rapidly advancing medical technology, maternal-fetal medicine experts are conducting many new studies, including fetal gene and stem cell therapy, open fetal surgery, etc., aimed at treating genetic diseases at an early stage and correcting congenital defects. The continuous advancement of medical technology undoubtedly provides more possibilities for the future of maternal-fetal medicine and maternal and child health.
In the face of these challenges, how can maternal-fetal medicine specialists play a greater role in promoting maternal and infant health in the changing medical environment?
