Perinatology is a field of medicine that focuses on managing the health concerns of the mother and fetus before, during, and shortly after pregnancy.
Perinatology is a highly specialized field of medicine that focuses on managing the health concerns of the mother and fetus before, during, and shortly after pregnancy. This department is also known as maternal and fetal medicine. In addition, an MFM specialist is an obstetrician-gynecologist who has undergone additional training to assess and manage high-risk pregnancies.
Perinatology department doctors receive extensive education that covers advanced fetal diagnostics and therapy, including targeted fetal assessments using ultrasound and Doppler. If you are experiencing or anticipating a high-risk pregnancy, you should visit a perinatologist.
Perinatology specialists’ role is to work alongside your obstetrician to provide a comprehensive care plan that is organized according to your specific needs. To diagnose complications or health problems, your maternal-fetal doctor may perform the tests below:
Perinatology helps pregnant women who have current or possible high-risk pregnancies. The pregnancy period varies gently from one individual to another. Some pregnancies proceed without any major concerns. On the other hand, others may face high risk, which necessitates closer monitoring and care.
Some of the primary risks that are associated with high-risk pregnancies can be summarized as follows:
Women under the age of 17 and those over 35 are at increased risk for complications in pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes and preterm birth.
Smoking, alcohol, illicit drug use, etc. may elevate the risk profile of pregnancy. A healthy lifestyle before and during pregnancy can prevent many risks and promote both fetal and maternal well-being.
Pre-existing medical conditions like diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and thyroid disorders may escalate the risk during pregnancy. In addition, conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and blood clotting disorders further complicate pregnancy.
Complications in pregnancy may vary and can directly impact the risk level of pregnancy.
Perinatology specialists can manage high-risk pregnancies with several management options. After diagnosing your disease, your perinatologist will share a plan with you. If you need an expert point of view, you can consult our clinic, located in Turkey. In addition, you can take advantage of low treatment costs for high-risk pregnancies.
Some of the common high-pregnancy management techniques are listed below:
For timely intervention, you should regularly visit your perinatologist so that preterm labour can be prevented. In addition, during your appointments, your doctor can detect the causes of premature labor. You should note that activities such as reducing physical stress, avoiding heavy lifting, and potentially using medications like progesterone can help prevent early labor.
This is a surgical intervention used to close the cervix with stitches to prevent premature birth or miscarriage, especially in women with a short or incompetent cervix.
Abnormal placental implantation requires close monitoring through ultrasound and possibly planning for a cesarean delivery in a hospital. Therefore, it is important to be sure that your hospital is equipped with suitable and necessary devices to handle high-risk obstetrics and potential complications like hemorrhage.
Fetal maternal medicine specialists can manage pre-eclampsia through close monitoring of blood pressure and fetal health. Your treatment plan may also include antihypertensive drugs to control blood pressure and corticosteroids to enhance fetal lung maturity.
Multiple gestations require more frequent prenatal visits to monitor the health of the mother and fetuses. Your fetal maternal special should regularly monitor nutritional needs and create a plan accordingly. In multiple-gender pregnancy cases, cesarean delivery is a common option to prevent any complications.
If your pregnancy requires specialized care due to the higher risks of complications for you and your baby, you may be referred to a perinatologist. Perinatologists, or maternal-fetal medicine specialists, possess advanced training to manage and treat conditions that could affect high-risk pregnancies. MFM specialists can ensure both maternal and fetal health throughout pregnancy and delivery.
The cervical cerclage procedure aims to prevent premature birth by keeping the cervix closed during pregnancy. Your fetal specialist may perform the procedure around the 12 to 14-week mark of pregnancy. This minor surgical intervention involves placing stitches in the cervix to hold it closed. Recovery from the procedure is relatively quick. You can resume your normal activities shortly after. If you are seeking expert care and advanced medical procedures, you can contact our clinic in Turkey.
Perinatology is a specialized branch of obstetrics dedicated to the medical and surgical management of high-risk pregnancies. The term is etymologically derived from Ancient Greek "περί" (perí, meaning "around" or "about"), Latin "natus" (meaning "birth"), and the suffix "-ology," indicating the study of a specific field. This integration of Greek and Latin roots reflects the comprehensive care and attention provided to both the mother and fetus during the crucial period surrounding birth.
