title: Putting the "M" back in maternal-fetal medicine.
abstract: Although maternal death remains rare in the United States, the rate has not decreased for 3 decades. The rate of severe maternal morbidity, a more prevalent problem, is also rising. Rise in maternal age, in rates of obesity, and in cesarean deliveries as well as more pregnant women with chronic medical conditions all contribute to maternal mortality and morbidity in the United States. We believe it is the responsibility of maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) subspecialists to lead a national effort to decrease maternal mortality and morbidity. In doing so, we hope to reestablish the vital role of MFM subspecialists to take the lead in the performance and coordination of care in complicated obstetrical cases. This article will summarize our initial recommendations to enhance MFM education and training, to establish national standards to improve maternal care and management, and to address critical research gaps in maternal medicine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA. md511@columbia.edu
authors.forename: Mary E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: D'Alton
authors.forename: Clarissa A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Bonanno
authors.forename: Richard L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Berkowitz
authors.forename: Haywood L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Joshua A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Copel
authors.forename: F Gary
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Garite
authors.forename: Larry C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Gilstrap
authors.forename: William A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Grobman
authors.forename: Gary D V
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Hankins
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Hauth
authors.forename: Brian K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Iriye
authors.forename: George A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Macones
authors.forename: James N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Stephanie R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: M Kathryn
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Menard
authors.forename: Daniel F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: O'Keefe
authors.forename: Luis D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Pacheco
authors.forename: Laura E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Riley
authors.forename: George R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Saade
authors.forename: Catherine Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Spong
mesh_terms: D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D005257:Fellowships and Scholarships / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011295:Prenatal Care; D013038:Specialization; D014463:Ultrasonography