The Advantages of High Risk Obstetricians

Patients with high risk pregnancies are often referred to specialized obstetricians called perinatologists or maternal-fetal medicine specialists. These physicians are specially trained beyond typical obstetricians to deal with pregnancies considered to carry higher than average risks of prematurity or other complications.

Reasons

• Women who suffer from heart conditions, hypertension, diabetes, infectious diseases, or kidney or other serious disorders are usually referred to perinatologists, or high risk obstetricians. This is because pregnancy will put more demands on the woman's body and systems and may cause serious complications with her condition. Other reasons a woman may need a maternal-fetal medicine specialist include previous preterm labors, repeated pregnancy losses, pregnant with multiples, advanced age, or if testing has indicated growth problems or other serious concerns.

Training

• A physician who is certified in maternal-fetal medicine, or is a perinatologist, is someone who has completed the residency in gynecology and obstetrics, and then completed a two or three year fellowship specializing solely in high risk pregnancies. Perinatologists generally work alongside OB-GYNs in dealing with higher risk patients. They only completely take over a patient's case if complications are severe enough to warrant such care.

Getting High Risk Care

• While high risk pregnancies make up only 6 to 8 percent of all pregnancies, if you are expecting a baby and are considered at high risk you'll want to at least consult with a perinatologist. Those who live in small towns or in remote areas will have a much more difficult time finding a maternal-fetal medicine specialist than those living in larger cities. However, if your location is a problem, your regular obstetrician should be able to refer you to a specialist to at least consult on your case and then confer with your physician throughout your pregnancy.

Benefits

• If you are considered to be pregnant with high risk, seeing a perinatologist will ensure you are seeing a physician who regularly sees such pregnancies and is specially trained to deal with them. These doctors will have state of the art testing equipment and know the latest technologies and standards of care. Perinatologists frequently deliver babies at hospitals with the facilities to handle critically ill or seriously premature infants. These hospitals usually have NICU or neonatal intensive care units.