Mater Mothers' world class Centre for Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) provides expert diagnosis and management of complex pregnancies for women with high-risk pregnancies.
The Mater Centre for Maternal Fetal Medicine is well-known as a leader in its field, performing a number of Australian first surgeries, including the in-utero surgery to treat spina-bifida.
If either you or your unborn baby have existing or potential high-risk medical concerns, your obstetrician may refer you to the Mater Centre for Maternal Fetal Medicine.
This service is available to women who reside throughout Queensland and Northern New South Wales. Our fetal therapy service and telemedicine service also provides care to women from interstate and the Asia-Pacific region.
Ultrasound
The centre provides specialised ultrasound scans and counselling for women with high risk pregnancies. It also provides an ultrasound service for inpatients of Mater Mothers' Hospitals.
In addition to providing ultrasound for complex pregnancy the centre has limited appointments for routine ultrasound scans including the following:
- First trimester combined screening test (FTCS)
- Morphology
Most women will have their screening ultrasound performed in their local community. If a problem is suspected on ultrasound, a referral to the centre can be arranged.
Women who are on the bundle of joy will have their First trimester combined screening test (FTCS) and Morphology scan through MFM
Prenatal testing
The centre offers NIPT, chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis for women wishing to have testing for chromosomal disorders such as Down syndrome. Prenatal testing is also available for known genetic defects such as cystic fibrosis.
Genetic counselling
Genetic Health Queensland (GHQ) provides a genetic counselling service at Mater Mothers' Hospitals.
Multiple birth pregnancies (e.g. twins or triplets)
The centre provides care for women with complex multiple pregnancies. The centre is well known for the treatment of twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), a condition that can affect twins with a single placenta. Mater performed the first laser therapy for TTTS in Australia in 2002.
Fetal echocardiography
A paediatric cardiologist attends the ultrasound scan to assist in the diagnosis of heart abnormalities and also to provide counselling.
The centre works closely with Queensland Paediatric Cardiac Service (QPCS), located at Lady Cilento Children's Hospital. This assists in the planning of after birth care of babies with a cardiac defect.
External Cephalic Version (ECV)
Fetal surgery
Counselling
The diagnosis of a fetal abnormality or other pregnancy problem can be a difficult time for parents. Counselling by the multidisciplinary team provides these women and their families with detailed information and offers ongoing support.
Case management
Midwife case managers work closely with MFM specialists and the multidisciplinary team to ensure that care is individualised and coordinated. They offer families a primary point of contact for information and support.
Telemedicine
elemedicine enables women to have an ultrasound scan and consultation with a Mater specialist at a site remote from Mater Mothers' Hospital, e.g. North Queensland.
Access to support
A variety of support services are available through the centre, including access to social workers, pastoral care, indigenous liaison and bereavement support. Interpreters are available via telephone and face-to-face appointments if required.
Research and education
The centre is internationally recognised for research and training in maternal fetal medicine. Women may be asked to participate in ongoing research projects—participation is voluntary and only after informed consent has been provided. Previous research studies have resulted in improvements to the care of complex pregnancies.
Cost
Most services at Maternal Fetal Medicine will incur a cost, please recommend that your patient to contact please contact 07 3163 1896 for individual estimates on cost.