What Is Perinatology? Learn Its Role in Pregnancy Health

Perinatology is a specialized branch of maternal-fetal medicine dedicated to overseeing high-risk pregnancies and ensuring both the pregnant individual and their baby are healthy.

Pregnancy is a beautiful journey, but it can also come with challenges, especially for those facing high-risk situations. Perinatology, a subspecialty of maternal-fetal medicine, focuses on the health of pregnant individuals and their babies when complications arise.

Perinatologists are experts in managing these complexities, providing advanced care and support throughout the pregnancy.

In this blog post, we’ll explore what perinatology is, the conditions perinatologists treat, and how they make a significant impact on maternal and fetal health.

Whether you’re a prospective medical student or simply curious about this vital field, understanding perinatology can shed light on the critical care provided during high-risk pregnancies.

What Is Perinatology?

Perinatology, also known as maternal-fetal medicine (MFM), is a subspecialty within obstetrics that focuses on managing high-risk pregnancies. Perinatologists are doctors who have advanced training to care for both the mother and the developing baby when complications arise during pregnancy, such as multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets) or fetal abnormalities.

Perinatologists use advanced diagnostic tools, such as ultrasounds, genetic testing, and other specialized procedures, to monitor the health of both the mother and the baby. They also work closely with other healthcare professionals, including obstetricians, pediatricians, and neonatologists, to provide the best care possible.

For medical students considering a career in obstetrics or pediatrics, perinatology offers an opportunity to make a profound difference in the lives of mothers and babies, particularly in complex and high-risk situations where specialized care can ensure positive outcomes.

What Does a Perinatologist Do?

A perinatologist specializes in caring for mothers and babies during high-risk pregnancies, so a majority of their tasks revolve around that. However, in addition to monitoring health conditions, they often guide patients through important decisions, such as managing congenital disabilities or other fetal conditions detected during pregnancy. 

They provide counseling to families about potential risks and treatment options, helping them make informed choices.

Due to their extended expertise, perinatologists are also responsible for the following:

• Helping women with pre-existing medical conditions (like diabetes or heart disease) and planning for a safe pregnancy
• Working closely with genetic counselors to explain the risks of inherited conditions and help families understand test results, guiding them through possible outcomes
• Using techniques like fetal echocardiography (to check the baby’s heart) and biophysical profiles (a detailed ultrasound test) to monitor fetal well-being and development
• Creating detailed birth plans for high-risk cases and determining the safest way to deliver the baby
• Monitoring both the mother and the baby post-delivery, especially if there were complications during pregnancy or delivery

Combining this advanced medical knowledge with compassionate care makes perinatologists critical in ensuring the best outcomes for complex pregnancies.

How to Become a Perinatologist

Knowing how to become a perinatologist is important for medical students, particularly those interested in this field. The process entails a list of critical steps, both in terms of education and training. To become a perinatologist, you need to: 

• Earn a BA degree: Typically in a science-related field, this takes about 4 years.
• Attend medical school: A 4-year program where you study general medicine to become a doctor (MD or DO).
• Complete an OB-GYN residency: A 4-year training program focused on pregnancy care, childbirth, and women’s health.
• Apply for a fellowship in maternal-fetal medicine (MFM): This is an additional 3-year specialized training in managing high-risk pregnancies and fetal health. You’ll gain skills in areas like fetal surgery, genetic testing, and prenatal diagnostics.
• Pass board certification exams: After your fellowship, you’ll take exams to be certified in both OB-GYN and maternal-fetal medicine.
• Start practicing as a perinatologist: Once certified, you can officially work as a specialist in high-risk pregnancy care.

Becoming a perinatologist typically takes 13-15 years of training.

Conditions Treated by Perinatologists

Perinatologists care for patients with underlying illnesses or problems that can create complications of pregnancy for the mother and the baby. The following are some of the significant conditions that they handle:

• Preeclampsia: A pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure that negatively affects both the mother and the unborn child.
• Gestational Diabetes: Diabetes that arises or manifests due to the occurrence of a pregnancy wherein one has to maintain the level of sugar in the blood.
• Multiple Pregnancies: Expecting twins or more than two babies entails risks; a perinatologist follows those up closely.
• Preterm Labor: If a mother begins the processes of labor at abnormal periods of time, then a perinatologist intervenes to manage this time until it is safer to have the baby.
• Fetal Growth Problems: If the baby does not grow properly, they address and provide treatment to cater for this normal development.
• Fetal Abnormalities: Conditions that make babies born with abnormalities are examined and treated by the perinatologist before or after childbirth.
• Placenta Problems: Placenta that abnormally covers the cervix and bleeding are some of the issues that need special attention by perinatologists.

Perinatologists also treat complications that follow previous pregnancies or from chronic diseases such as heart diseases and lupus, which are contraindications in pregnancy. They have the ability to employ their skills effectively in complex pregnancies and ensure a healthy pregnancy.

The Difference Between an Obstetrician and a Perinatologist

An obstetrician (OB) and a perinatologist both treat expectant mothers but with a dissimilar scope of work and specialization.

An obstetrician is a competent medical expert in childbearing, pregnancy and reproductive health of patients. Usually, they treat patients through normal pregnancies and births, perform prenatal obligations, and deal with the average problems related to the childbearing. In this sense, obstetricians are the go-to doctors for most pregnancies. They are also found in hospitals and clinics assisting in the healthy delivery of expectant mothers.

A perinatologist, on the contrary, is a doctor who has done further studies in pregnant people who may be at risk due to various reasons. Once the training in obstetrics is completed, perinatologists undergo even more training to be able to deal with complicated pregnancies. 

They are called in for cases of serious risks such as preeclampsia and permite, diabetes during pregnancy, and various fetal malformations. With the assistance from a perinatologist, procedures such as detailed ultrasounds and genetic testing, the well-being of the mother and the fetus are properly monitored.

The bottom line is that while an obstetrician deals with uncomplicated pregnancies, a perinatologist deals with complicated and even risky health issues to improve the final outcomes.

Reasons To See a Perinatologist

A pregnant person can be referred to a perinatologist or a maternal-fetal medicine specialist for a couple of reasons. Its main concern is about high-risk pregnancies, which require more attention for both the expectant and the child.

One common reason to see a perinatologist is advanced maternal age—women over 35 are more likely to have complications, so they may benefit from extra monitoring. Conditions like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, or autoimmune disease also put a pregnant person at risk during pregnancy, which a perinatologist helps to mitigate.

People carrying multiple babies (twins, triplets, or more) are often referred to a perinatologist because these pregnancies are more likely to have complications. Perinatologist also assists when there are concerns about the fetus, like weight deficiency or some diagnosis like Down syndrome, where there is a risk for certain congenital disabilities.

What to Expect During a Perinatal Visit

During a perinatal visit, as an expecting individual, the perinatologist will first go through your medical file and examine particular issues about the pregnancy, if any. Health, family, and past pregnancies can be a focus in formulating a clear picture of the individual.

You will most likely have an ultrasound performed to determine the baby’s well-being and development ability. Depending on the situation, you may have to undergo further procedures, which may include genetic tests or blood tests.

The perinatologist will explain any potential risks, offer advice on how to manage your pregnancy, and create a care plan tailored to you. This might include more frequent check-ups, special treatments, or lifestyle recommendations.

Be prepared for a lengthy discussion about your health status, the status of the baby, and what action, if any, follows. The purpose of the appointment is to secure the well-being of the pregnancy and avoid risks.

Conclusion

Perinatologists play a crucial role in managing high-risk pregnancies, ensuring the health and safety of both the individual and the baby. With specialized training, they offer expert care, using advanced diagnostic tools and treatments to address complex pregnancy challenges. For those considering a career in maternal-fetal medicine, perinatology provides the opportunity to make a profound impact in healthcare, helping families navigate difficult and rewarding pregnancy journeys.

Check out the Clinical Sciences Program here at the American University of Antigua (AUA) for an introduction to the world of perinatology. Your future career as a perinatologist starts with us!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

What is the role of a perinatologist during pregnancy?

A perinatologist specializes in managing high-risk pregnancies, ensuring the health of both the individual and the baby. They monitor potential complications and provide advanced treatments to address complex pregnancy challenges.

When should someone see a perinatologist?

You may be referred to a perinatologist if you have a high-risk pregnancy due to health conditions, advanced maternal age, or multiple pregnancies. They provide specialized care to help manage risks and improve outcomes for both the individual and baby.