Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist vs. OB/GYN: What’s the Difference?

Content medically reviewed by Patricia Segler, MD

If you need extra care to help you and your baby stay healthy during pregnancy, your obstetrics provider may refer you to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist.

“Anytime a provider anticipates or diagnoses a high-risk pregnancy based on health conditions the mother or baby in the womb may have, I can provide additional guidance,” said Dr. Vani Movva, maternal-fetal medicine physician at Essentia Health. “I don’t take over obstetric care. I help our obstetric providers care for women who are at higher risk for pregnancy complications.”

High-Risk Pregnancy Experts

How is a maternal-fetal medicine specialist different from an OB/GYN? Maternal-fetal medicine is a subspecialty of OB/GYN (obstetrics and gynecology). All maternal-fetal medicine specialists are OB/GYNs, but not all OB/GYNs are maternal-fetal medicine specialists.Maternal-fetal medicine specialists complete four years of training in OB/GYN. After that, two to three years of additional training prepares them to care for expecting mothers and unborn babies who have a higher risk of prenatal health problems.

Why Might Your Provider Refer You to a Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist?

If your provider wants you to see a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, a simple question may spring to mind: Why? That’s the question Dr. Movva answers for her patients before discussing anything else.

“Maternal-fetal medicine specialists care for high-risk pregnancies, so patients arrive at their appointment wanting to know what makes their pregnancy high risk,” Dr. Movva said. “At their first visit, we establish why they’re considered high risk. Then, we talk about what we may need to do for them in addition to regular prenatal care, such as more frequent ultrasounds or additional testing.”

Reasons you may need care from a high-risk pregnancy provider include –

• An unexpected accident or condition occurs during pregnancy. If you’re injured or develop a new medical condition, such as certain infections, while pregnant, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist may help care for you.
• You have certain risk factors in your medical or health history. These may include previous miscarriages or cesarean deliveries.
• You have a health condition that increases your risk for pregnancy complications. “For women with chronic health conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, we know these factors place them at higher risk in pregnancy,” Dr. Movva said. “My role is to screen for those conditions and help manage them if they come up.”
• Your baby needs specialized care. If prenatal testing shows birth defects or growth problems, a high-risk pregnancy provider can start treating your baby before birth to support their health through every stage of pregnancy.
• You’re age 35 or older. Considered advanced maternal age, you’re more likely to develop blood pressure-related problems during pregnancy.
• You’re expecting multiple babies. Carrying two or more babies can increase your risk for premature labor.

Maternal-Fetal Medicine Services

Maternal-fetal medicine specialists provide a variety of services based on each patient’s unique needs. These services may include – 

• Care recommendations that can assist OB/GYNs during labor and delivery
• Consultations in the office and hospital
• Detailed evaluations of developing babies’ anatomy
• Specialized tests and screenings for genetic disorders and conditions affecting unborn babies

“In addition to pregnant patients, I see patients who are planning for pregnancy, such as women with certain heart conditions,” Dr. Movva said. “It can be helpful for these patients to see me before they’re pregnant to help determine where their health is and anticipate what may happen during pregnancy.”