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Many pregnancies have led to maternal mortality and maternal morbidity. This line of concern is most recommended to be situated with maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) subspecialists, in order to decrease the rate of maternal mortality and maternal morbidity. The Society for Maternal-fetal Medicine (SMFM) strives to improve maternal and child outcomes by standards of prevention, diagnosis and treatment through research, education and training. In order for MFM subspecialists to help reduce the rate of maternal death, they must receive adequate training and education. Research is essential for treatment. MFM subspecialist’s area of focus is early diagnosis of fetal abnormalities, non-invasive prenatal diagnosis, intrauterine fetal surgery, complex multiple pregnancy issues and the pathogenesis and early diagnosis and treatment of pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction.

The American Board of Obstetrician Gynecologists (ABOG) has been recently adjusting education and training requirements to improve the knowledge in Maternal-fetal medicine. MFM subspecialists are now required to do a minimum of 12 months clinical rotation and 18 month research activities. They are encouraged to use simulation and case-based learning incorporated in their training, a certification in advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) is required, they are required to develop in-service examination and expand leadership training. Obstetrical care and service has been improved to provide academic advancement for MFM inpatient directorships, improve skills in coding and reimbursement for maternal care, establish national, stratified system for levels of maternal care, develop specific, proscriptive guidelines on complications with highest maternal morbidity and mortality, and finally, increase departmental and divisional support for MFM subspecialists with maternal focus. As Maternal-fetal medicine subspecialists improve their work ethics and knowledge of this advancing field, they are capable of reducing the rate of maternal mortality and maternal morbidity.