You may be referred to the Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit for many reasons, including if your pregnancy is showing signs of complications or you have a complex twin pregnancy.
This can be a stressful time for expectant parents, concerned about the future and wellbeing of their pregnancy.
Sunshine Coast Health’s Maternal Fetal Medicine sub-specialist Dr Tomas Prior shares some insight below, to help patients and their families understand what to expect when they visit the Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit at Sunshine Coast University Hospital.
What does Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) involve?
People are typically referred to me if something abnormal has been identified on a routine pregnancy scan. There is a wide range of reasons why people are referred to me, many are minor, but some are more serious.
My role is to have a close look at the baby through an ultrasound scan, interpret the imaging and provide counselling about what the imaging results mean for the pregnancy and baby.
A major benefit of seeing a Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist is that we’re able to provide this full service all in one appointment – this includes the ultrasound scan, the interpretation of these images and then the counselling of the patient.
People come to these appointments very nervous, and hopefully we can give them more information to help them feel more comfortable and guide them through their pregnancy.
What are some reasons pregnant women would be referred to you?
Patients may be referred to the MFM unit if abnormalities with the pregnancy have been detected on routine scans and tests.
Women may also be referred if they have a complex twin or triplet pregnancy, have had a complicated pregnancy in the past, or if the baby is measuring smaller than expected.
There’s a huge scale of reasons why people come to me, but we know any abnormality can be a source of huge stress for expectant parents and we keep compassion at the heart of the care we provide.
What can I expect at an MFM appointment?
We start with trying to put the patient at ease and trying to settle nerves, as we investigate the pregnancy further.
When someone comes to see me, we’re able to do the full process in one location.
We start with taking a closer look at the developing baby with an ultrasound scan. I then interpret these images and provide the patient with information about the complication. We then discuss what this means for their pregnancy and what the options are for the way forward.
The ultrasound machine I use features advanced technology, to help us look at the baby in close detail. The more we can see, the more it helps us to answer questions for people who have been told something in their pregnancy is not quite going to plan.
Where do I go for my MFM appointment?
This service is offered within the Maternity Outpatients Unit at Sunshine Coast University Hospital.
We have ensured this is a private and calm space where patients can feel comfortable discussing their pregnancy.
How many appointments will I need?
This will vary for every person. Many people will just need a single scan with me, whereas others may need regular follow up ultrasound scans, so we can keep a close eye on how the pregnancy is progressing.