Inpatient MFM consultation
When pregnancy gets complicated, your care should still feel connected.
A hospital consultation is an evaluation by a Maternal-Fetal Medicine physician during a hospital admission. The MFM physician reviews your case, often performs ultrasound at the bedside, and works with your OB and the inpatient team to recommend a plan of care.
During a hospital admission, an MFM consultation focuses on specific clinical questions.
Pregnancy conditions can change quickly in the inpatient setting. A consultation focuses subspecialty attention on the questions most relevant to your situation. The areas below are common reasons MFM is asked to evaluate a patient.
Conditions that frequently lead to an inpatient MFM consultation.
Select a condition to read how it is typically approached during admission.
Inpatient MFM consultation across our regional network.
We provide inpatient consultation and coverage at hospitals throughout Southern California — including multiple Perinatal Directorships and full 24/7 call coverage at our core sites.
The MFM physician works alongside your OB, not in place of them.
Your primary obstetrician continues to direct your overall care. The MFM consultation provides subspecialty input on specific aspects of the pregnancy.
Ultrasound at the bedside
Ultrasound is performed in the hospital when necessary to help guide diagnosis and the treatment plan.
Complex pregnancy management
Subspecialty input on cases where the management plan involves balancing multiple factors.
Medication review during admission
Review of medications for pregnancy compatibility, dosing, and interactions in the inpatient setting.
Maternal medical conditions in pregnancy
Evaluation of cardiac, autoimmune, endocrine, and other conditions that intersect with pregnancy.
Timing and route of delivery
Recommendations on when and how delivery should occur when complications are present.
Documentation for outpatient follow-up
A written consultation note that summarizes findings, recommendations, and follow-up plans for the OB.
A hospital consultation is a tool, not an outcome. Most are brief and most admissions resolve without complication.
The purpose of an MFM consultation during admission is to make sure the right clinical questions are asked, the relevant information is gathered, and a clear plan is documented for the OB and the patient. If you have questions about a consultation that has been requested for you, your OB or the inpatient team can explain the specific reason.
