St. Luke’s Maternal Fetal Medicine
What Is a Maternal
Fetal Medicine Specialist?
A Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) specialist is an obstetrician/gynecologist
who deals with high-risk pregnancies or special problem pregnancies.
MFM specialists have completed additional formal training
and have advanced knowledge of the medical, genetic, surgical,
and obstetrical complications that can occur during pregnancy.
This training is obtained in specially approved fellowship
programs. The American Board
of Obstetrics and Gynecology approves these fellowships,
and board certification is granted with demonstration of
this advanced knowledge. Thus, a MFM specialist has obtained
certification in Obstetrics/Gynecology and Maternal
Fetal Medicine.
Our Certified Maternal Fetal Medicine Physicians
Clarence
W. Blea, MD
Michael
F. Koszalka, MD
Richard M. Lee, MD
Stacy
T. Seyb, MD
Our Genetic Counselors
Heather Hussey , MS
Amber Mathiesen, MS
Heidi Nagel, MS,
CGC
Scope of Practice
The MFM specialist provides medical care for a broad range
of problems encountered in pregnancy, such as twins, triplets,
or more; diabetes; premature labor; and other special conditions
occurring in pregnancy, including previous adverse outcomes.
The MFM specialist also performs detailed ultrasound evaluation of pregnancies and special procedures on the fetus while it is in the uterus. These procedures can vary from drawing fluid from the fluid-filled sac surrounding the baby (amniocentesis) to sampling the placenta (chorionic villus sampling) for genetic evaluation.
In addition, treatment is frequently required for a baby in the uterus in order to prolong the pregnancy and/or prevent a devastating illness. These treatments can vary from a blood transfusion to draining a blocked bladder to medical treatment of an abnormal heartbeat. Medical treatment of special fetal illnesses such as thyroid disease has also been accomplished during pregnancy. In fact, the variety and scope of care provided by MFM specialists is so broad, it is impossible to cover in a few paragraphs.
About St. Luke’s
Maternal Fetal Medicine
As one of just a few maternal fetal medicine specialty centers
in the Northwest, St. Luke’s Maternal Fetal Medicine
sees patients from across Idaho and the surrounding states. St. Luke's is the longest standing MFM practice in Idaho.
Staffed by four board-certified MFM specialists, our practice is equipped with state-of-the-art sonography equipment, including 3-D ultrasound, and the special skills involved in their interpretation and management. Our ultrasound practice is certified by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, with a referral area that consists of Idaho, eastern Oregon, and northern Nevada. In addition, St. Luke’s Maternal Fetal Medicine maintains a state-of-the-art maternal transport team that works closely with St. Luke’s neonatal transport team and is a part of Air St Luke’s, Idaho’s most comprehensive emergency medical transport service.
The physicians at St. Luke’s Maternal Fetal Medicine have the training, education, and experience to provide the special care your pregnancy may require, or to provide guidance to your primary care obstetrical provider. We also provide state-of-the-art testing and monitoring of the fetus. Our goal is a healthy outcome for both mother and baby.
The staff at St. Luke’s Maternal Fetal Medicine is well equipped to handle medical complications of pregnancy. In addition to our physicians, we have certified genetic counselors and certified sonographers. Click below for a brief description of the more common problems addressed and services provided.
Procedures
- Amniocentesis
- CVS
- Umbilical blood sampling
- Ultrasound
- Genetic testing
- Fetal Surveillance
Common Problems Addressed
- Diabetes
- Premature labor
- Multiple gestation (twins, triplets, and more)
- Hypertension (high blood pressure), including pre-eclampsia
- Previous growth delay
- Previous fetal abnormality
- Family history of genetic disorder
- Thyroid disease
- Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and others
- Heart disease
- Asthma or other lung disease
- Kidney disease, including transplants
- Seizure disorders
- Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease/ulcerative colitis)
In each of these special problem pregnancies, we can care for the patient exclusively or provide guidance to their primary care provider. In many circumstances, such as severe maternal heart or kidney disease, we work closely with the mother’s specialist (kidney doctor, cardiologist, etc.) and primary care physician to enhance the pregnancy outcome. Many special cases require continuing discussion with our neonatal specialists as well as pediatric subspecialists at St. Luke’s Children’s Specialty Center.
Locations
| Boise St. Luke's Maternal Fetal Medicine 333 N. 1st Street, Suite 150 Boise, ID 83702 Phone: (208) 381-3088 Fax: (208) 381-4314 |
Meridian - St. Luke's Maternal Fetal Medicine 3525 E. Louise Drive, Suite 220 Meridian, ID 83642 Phone (208) 706-4636 Fax: (208) 706-7152 |
Appointments
To schedule an appointment with one of our Maternal Fetal Medicine physicians or
our genetic counselors, please call (208) 381-3088.
Links
St. Luke's Maternal Fetal Medicine email: slmfm@slrmc.org
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine
American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Society of Genetic Counselors
