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St.
John's offers maternal-fetal medicine services in Springfield and
Rolla. To schedule an appointment at the Springfield location, please call 417-820-3715.
To schedule an appointment in Rolla, please call
573-341-8293.
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Meet St. John's MFMs
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MFM Services
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Sara Skopec's Story
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A maternal-fetal medicine specialist is a
physician who is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and has
completed a fellowship in maternal-fetal medicine.
The fellowship involves two to three years of
formal education and practical experience concerning problems and
complications that can arise during a pregnancy.
The MFM specialist has advanced knowledge of
the obstetrical, medical, genetic, and surgical complications of pregnancy
and their effects on both the mother and her unborn baby. In addition, the
MFM specialist provides education and research concerning the most recent
approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of obstetrical problems.
Maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) is a medical
specialty involving advanced care for women. Women are referred to these
specialists because they are considered "at risk" for complication during
pregnancy. The MFM specialty is also known as perinatology.
Many OB/GYNs are qualified to manage
complicated pregnancies. Maternal-fetal medicine specialists complement
obstetricians by providing consultations, co-management, or direct care
before (pre-conception counseling) and during pregnancy.
Maternal-fetal medicine specialists also work in collaboration with family
physicians. The relationship between your doctor and the maternal-fetal
medicine specialist will depend upon the severity of the condition and other
circumstances
Patients
treated by maternal-fetal medicine specialists include:
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Patients undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic procedures during pregnancy,
such as comprehensive ultrasound, genetic amniocentesis or cordocentesis.
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Women with medical or surgical disorders, such as heart disease, high blood
pressure, preeclampsia (toxemia), diabetes or other endocrine disorders,
kidney disease, gastrointestinal disease or an infectious disease.
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Healthy women whose pregnancy is at increased risk for adverse outcome, such
as abnormal AFP (alpha fetoprotein) blood test, multiples, recurrent
pre-term labor and delivery, premature rupture of membranes, recurrent
pregnancy loss, or suspected fetal growth restriction.