What is Maternal Fetal Medicine — and When Do You Need a Specialist?

Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) is a sub-specialty of obstetrics that focuses on managing high-risk pregnancies. While every obstetrician is trained to care for routine pregnancies, an MFM specialist has undergone additional years of advanced fellowship training to manage pregnancies with medical, surgical, or obstetric complications.

An MFM specialist is trained to perform and interpret advanced ultrasound imaging, manage pregnancies complicated by chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension, coordinate care for multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets), investigate and manage recurrent pregnancy loss, and provide expert counselling when fetal abnormalities are detected.

Not every pregnancy requires an MFM specialist. However, your OBGYN may recommend a referral — or you may choose to see one directly — if you fall into certain categories. These include women over 35, those with pre-existing medical conditions, anyone with a history of pregnancy complications, mothers carrying multiples, and patients with abnormal screening or scan results.

It is worth noting that seeing an MFM specialist does not mean something is wrong. Many women see an MFM doctor as a precautionary measure — for the reassurance that comes from having someone with deeper expertise reviewing their care. An MFM specialist can work alongside your existing OBGYN or serve as your primary obstetrician throughout the pregnancy.

In Malaysia, MFM specialists are still relatively uncommon compared to general OBGYNs. Dr. Kartik Balaraman is one of the few practising MFM specialists in the Klang Valley, bringing this level of expertise to patients at Columbia Asia Hospital Bukit Jalil.