Does Your Hospital Have a Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist?
Pregnancy can be a high-stress situation even in ideal situations — there’s much to plan, decisions to make, and a future full of responsibility. In high-risk pregnancies, the stress can be even more compounded and may require a specialist to ensure a smooth delivery.
Maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) is a subspecialty of obstetrics focused on managing and treating high-risk pregnancies, with a focus on the health of both the mother and the fetus. Also known as perinatologists, MFM specialists provide specialized care for pre-existing medical conditions (such as diabetes or heart disease), fetal abnormalities, genetic counseling, and other concerns.
Do All Hospitals Have a MFM Specialist?
Because MFM is a highly focused specialty, these providers are typically found in large healthcare systems or teaching hospitals. However, smaller, local hospitals may still have access to MFM doctors due to modern technology.
Dr. Kameron Firouzi, an obstetrician-gynecologist (OBGYN) at Samaritan in Moses Lake, Washington, says the hospital has a partnership with Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Washington. This partnership enables high-risk pregnancy patients to receive their care locally while also having access to a specialist via telehealth.
“High-risk obstetric situations can be handled here without compromising on care, thanks to our partnership with Providence,” said Firouzi. “During a telehealth consult, the MFM specialists can help the patient and her medical team make decisions, read ultrasounds, and more.”
Samaritan is able to perform state-of-the-art, Level 2 anatomy ultrasounds that assess the baby’s anatomy and development. The Providence team’s fellowship-trained MFM specialists review the findings and consult with Dr. Firouzi, who then provides customized care.
Why Keep My High-Risk Care Local?
Labor can be unpredictable. When the time comes to deliver, traveling to a high-risk specialist can be a potential obstacle, not to mention adding anxiety to an already stressful situation.
Utilizing a local hospital like Samaritan not only alleviates any travel challenges but also allows the mother and her support team to be comfortable in their surroundings. With the addition of the Providence partnership, Dr. Firouzi said patients can have the best of both worlds.
“The ability to consult with MFM specialists is an amazing extra step we offer to ensure every box is checked and every concern is considered,” he said.
Whether a patient is seeking a more holistic, natural birth (including skin-to-skin or cord clamping) or is facing a potentially complicated delivery (such as a cesarean section or twin birth), providers like Dr. Firouzi have the ability to meet patient needs in their own hospitals. Most testing, including recommendations from an outside MFM specialist, can still be done in-house.
Above all else, Dr. Firouzi added, moms-to-be should choose a provider who listens to their concerns and has access to all necessary resources for a safe, successful delivery.
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Firouzi to learn more about high-risk pregnancy care. Contact Samaritan at 509.765.5606.