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A large number of obstetricians and gynecologists often refer pregnant women to consult with a perinatologist to get a second opinion on high-risk cases. Want to know what’s the role of a perinatologist? Here is a step-by-step guide on how to become a perinatologist.

Who is a Perinatologist?

Perinatologists, also known as maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialists, are medical professionals who specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of women who are at high risk during pregnancy. Perinatologists treat patients who are in high-risk scenarios, like patients with a history of previous complicated pregnancies, chronic health conditions, and those for whom medical issues arise unexpectedly.

What does a Perinatologist do?

The primary role of perinatologists is to provide the best prenatal and postnatal care for women at higher risk of pregnancy. Perinatologists are also experts in dealing with routine prenatal care, managing preexisting or new health conditions in a pregnant person, using ultrasounds or other tests to diagnose genetic disorders or birth abnormalities, assisting in labor and delivery as needed, managing postpartum complications, etc.

How to become a Perinatologist?

To build your career as a perinatologist, one should complete a four-year undergraduate degree with an emphasis on biology, chemistry, math, microbiology, and anatomy.

The next step is to earn a graduate degree as a medical doctor (MD) or a doctor of osteopathic medicine (D.O.) from an accredited school.

After completing a four-year residency training in obstetrics and gynecology, perinatologists need to complete an additional two- or three-year fellowship in perinatology.

Prospective perinatologists must then complete a residency in obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN). As per the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, an OB/GYN residency takes four years of study and supervised clinical practice after medical school.

The perinatologist fellowship is two to three years beyond residency.

Most OBGYNs can manage minor pregnancy complications by themselves. However, if the condition worsens or is beyond your regular OBGYN’s expertise, they’ll refer you to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist or perinatologist.

If you are looking to build your career in dealing with high-risk obstetrics, a career as a perinatologist will be one of the good decisions.

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