UF Health Maternal Fetal Care Program

Welcome to the UF Health Maternal Fetal Care Program, where we strive to provide exceptional care to mothers and babies during and post pregnancy. Our multidisciplinary team of experts is dedicated to delivering personalized and compassionate care to expectant mothers, regardless of their medical conditions or complications. At the UF Health Maternal Fetal Care Program, we understand that every pregnancy is unique, and we take a personalized approach to treat each patient. Our team is made up of experienced maternal fetal medicine specialists, pediatric surgeons, neonatologists, obstetricians, urologists, neurosurgeons, genetic counselors and other healthcare professionals who collaborate to provide comprehensive care for women with high-risk pregnancies.

Our services include advanced fetal monitoring, prenatal testing, ultrasounds, genetic counseling, and access to the latest treatments and therapies. We use state-of-the-art technology to diagnose and manage a range of maternal and fetal conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, fetal growth restriction and multiple pregnancies, among others.

Our team is committed to working with you every step of the way to ensure a healthy pregnancy and safe delivery. We take a family-centered approach to care, recognizing that the wellbeing of both mother and baby is essential to the overall health of the family.

At UF Health, we believe in educating and empowering our patients to make informed decisions about their health and their baby's health. We strive to create a welcoming and comfortable environment for our patients, where they can feel supported and cared for throughout their pregnancy journey.

If you have a high-risk pregnancy, or if you're looking for comprehensive care during your pregnancy, we're here to help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with our experienced team of specialists. Let us guide you on your journey to a healthy and happy pregnancy.

Maternal Fetal Care Program Accomplishments, Awards and Accreditations

The list below outlines many of the accomplishments achieved by multidisciplinary departments covering Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Surgery among other disciplines.

• Designated as a Level IV Maternal Care-Verified Facility by American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists
• 2023 ACS Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Certification
• NICU, high risk neonatal care including ECMO, pediatric surgery, high-frequency ventilation and neonatal dialysis
• Extensive, specialty Neonatal transport system: dedicated 24-hour service
• Ranked among the top 50 hospitals in the nation for obstetrics and gynecology by US News and World Report for 2023-2024
• Ranked among best hospitals for maternity care by US News and World Report
• Recognized as a nationally ranked hospital in four pediatric specialties: diabetes & endocrinology, pulmonology & lung surgery, cardiology and heart surgery and neonatology according to the 2023-24 U.S. News & World Report Rankings
• Rated as one of the top pediatric hospital in the state by US News and World Report
• Recognized by the Florida Hospital Association Quality Conference 2022 for having the lowest NTSV C-section rate among large hospitals
• Maintained Center of Excellence Designation for Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery for past 10 years
• Earned accreditation from the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine for Obstetrics and Gynecology Ultrasound
• Faculty in our Gynecologic Oncology Program have access to the umbrella of resources offered by the NCI-Designated UF Health Cancer Center
• Baby-Friendly Re-Designation for 2020-2025 from Baby-Friendly USA
• Active member in state-wide Florida Perinatal Quality Initiatives

Our Team

Multidisciplinary Specialties and Programs

Please click on the links below to learn more about our specialties and programs and to view comprehensive lists of conditions and treatments covered by our multidisciplinary teams.

• Maternal-Fetal Medicine
• Neonatology
• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Palliative Care
• Pediatric Cardiology
• Congenital Heart Center
• Pediatric Surgery
• Pediatric Urology
• Pediatric Neurosurgery
• Prenatal and Pediatric Genetics
• Pediatric ENT
• Palliative Care
• Pediatric Infectious Disease
• Adult Infectious Disease
• Pediatric Neurology
• Pediatric Nephrology
• Pediatric Craniofacial
• Pediatric Orthopedics
• Pediatric GI
• Pediatric Hematology and Oncology

Frequently Asked Questions

What is maternal fetal medicine?

Maternal fetal medicine (MFM), also known as perinatology, is a subspecialty of obstetrics and gynecology that focuses on the management of high-risk pregnancies. MFM specialists are obstetricians with additional training and experience in managing complex pregnancies that may pose a risk to the health of the mother or the fetus.

What is an MFM specialist?

MFM specialists work closely with other healthcare providers, including obstetricians, neonatologists, and genetic counselors, to provide comprehensive care for high-risk pregnancies. They use advanced diagnostic tools and techniques to monitor the health and development of both the mother and the fetus throughout the pregnancy, and they develop personalized management plans to optimize the outcome for both.

Once a high-risk pregnancy has been identified, the MFM specialist will work closely with the patient to develop a personalized management plan. This plan may include a combination of medication, lifestyle modifications, and specialized monitoring throughout the pregnancy. MFM specialists may also coordinate care with other specialists, such as neonatologists, to ensure a smooth transition to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in the event that the baby requires specialized care after delivery.

What is high-risk pregnancy?

High-risk pregnancy, also known as a complicated pregnancy, refers to a pregnancy that poses a higher risk of complications for the mother and/or the fetus. These pregnancies require careful monitoring and management to ensure the best possible outcome for both the mother and the baby.

What makes a pregnancy high risk?

There are many factors that can contribute to a pregnancy being considered high-risk, including maternal age (being younger than 17 or older than 35), pre-existing medical conditions (such as diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease), a history of previous pregnancy complications, multiple pregnancies (such as twins or triplets), and certain lifestyle factors (such as smoking, alcohol use, or drug use).

How often do you go to the doctor in high risk pregnancy?

High-risk pregnancies require close monitoring and management by a team of healthcare providers, which may include obstetricians, maternal-fetal medicine specialists and neonatologists. These providers collaborate to identify potential complications early and develop a plan of care to address them. It is important for women with high-risk pregnancies to work closely with their healthcare providers to ensure the best possible outcome for themselves and their babies. With proper management and care, many high-risk pregnancies result in the delivery of healthy babies.

What are some common medical conditions that arise in high-risk pregnancy?

Common complications associated with high-risk pregnancies include preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, preterm labor, placenta previa, placental abruption, and fetal growth restriction. Women with high-risk pregnancies may require more frequent prenatal visits, specialized testing (such as ultrasounds, fetal monitoring, or amniocentesis), and closer observation during labor and delivery.

Do you get put on bed rest during high-risk pregnancy?

Depending on the specific circumstances of the high-risk pregnancy, healthcare providers may recommend interventions such as bed rest, medication, or early delivery via induction or cesarean section. In some cases, high-risk pregnancies may require delivery at a hospital with specialized facilities to manage potential complications.