Perinatology:
A subspecialty of obstetrics
concerned with the care of the fetus and complicated, high-risk pregnancies. Perinatology is also
known as maternal-fetal medicine.
In addition to four years of residency training in obstetrics and gynecology
the maternal-fetal medicine subspecialist has received two to three years of education in
the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the mother and fetus. The maternal-fetal medicine specialist
typically works in consultation with the obstetrician.
Some of the services provided by the maternal-fetal specialist include diabetes
care, management of multiple gestations, level II ultrasound of the fetus, chorionic villus
sampling, genetic amniocentesis, and in some centers fetal surgery or
treatment.
