Your First MFM Visit

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Your first Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) appointment may feel different from a regular pregnancy visit.

You may wonder:

• What will happen during my visit?
• Will I have an ultrasound?
• Will I meet with the doctor?
• Will I get my results the same day?

Not every first MFM visit is the same.

Some visits include an ultrasound and a meeting with the doctor. Others focus on reviewing your health history or planning your care.

You may receive some answers that day, while other results may take longer. Section 4 explains how to find out when your results will be available.

Knowing what to expect can help you prepare.

1. Before Your Appointment

A little preparation can make your visit easier.

Check the Details

Before your appointment, ask:

• Where and when is my appointment?
• Will I have an ultrasound or meet with the doctor?
• Do I need to do anything before my visit?
• How long might the visit take?

Knowing how long your appointment may last can help you plan transportation, work, or childcare.

Questions about cost or insurance?

If cost or insurance coverage is a concern, contact the clinic before your visit. Ask whether the appointment, ultrasound, or planned tests are covered and whether you may have out-of-pocket costs.

Need an Interpreter?

Ask for a qualified medical interpreter in your preferred language when you schedule your appointment.

Requesting one in advance gives the clinic time to arrange language support.

Bringing Someone With You

A support person may help you listen, ask questions, or take notes.

Ask whether your support person can come into the ultrasound room. Rules vary by clinic.

What to Bring

If available, bring:

• Your identification and insurance information, if needed.
• A list of medicines, vitamins, and supplements you take.
• Medical records or test results the clinic asks you to bring.
• Questions you want to ask.

Your clinic may already have some of your records. If something is missing, let the staff know.

2. What Happens During the Visit?

Your appointment may include several steps.

Check-In and Health Review

A staff member may review your information, medical history, medicines, and any concerns you have.

Your blood pressure, weight, or other health information may also be checked.

Ultrasound

If an ultrasound is scheduled, a sonographer (ultrasound tech) will take pictures and measurements of your baby and other parts of your pregnancy.

Some exams take longer than others.

A longer ultrasound or extra pictures does not tell you what the results are.

Your healthcare provider will explain the findings according to the clinic's process.

Meeting With the MFM Specialist

Depending on your visit, the MFM specialist may:

• Review your medical history and test results.
• Explain findings or concerns.
• Discuss recommended care or follow-up.

You may not meet with the specialist during every ultrasound visit.

Ask who will explain your results and when.

3. Understanding Your Next Steps

Before leaving, try to understand what happens next.

Your care team may recommend another ultrasound, test, or appointment.

A follow-up appointment does not tell you what the results are. It may be part of planned care or a way to look more closely at something.

Four Helpful Questions

WHAT? What happens next?

WHY? Why is it recommended?

WHEN? When should it happen?

WHO? Who should I contact with questions?

You can ask your healthcare team to explain anything you do not understand.

When to Contact Your Care Team

Ask which symptoms or changes you should report and whom to call if they occur.

If you have symptoms that worry you, don't wait for your next appointment or test results.

Contact your regular OB-GYN or pregnancy care team for guidance, unless your care team has given you different instructions.

MFM clinics usually do not have an after-hours line. Your regular OB-GYN or pregnancy care team is usually your first call, including nights and weekends. They can contact the MFM team if they have questions.

If you need urgent medical attention and cannot reach your care team, seek urgent medical care. For a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

4. Getting Your Results and Visit Notes

You may receive some results during your appointment. Other results may take longer.

Before leaving, ask:

“Who will explain my results, and when should I expect to hear from them?”

If you do not hear back when expected, contact the clinic that ordered your test or your regular OB-GYN.

Using a Patient Portal

Many clinics use a secure website or app called a patient portal.

Depending on the clinic, you may be able to see your visit summary, notes, test results, and appointments.

Visit notes and summaries may appear later, rather than right after your visit. The timing depends on the clinic and the type of information.

You can ask:

• “When will my visit notes or results be available?”
• “How do I sign up for the portal?”
• “Is the portal available in my language?”
• “Can I get a printed copy if I cannot use the portal?”

Sometimes results appear online before your care team has contacted you.

Seeing a result without an explanation may not tell you what it means for your pregnancy.

Ask your healthcare team to explain the findings rather than trying to interpret them on your own.

If a result raises an urgent concern, contact your care team promptly rather than waiting for your next appointment.

Words to Know

MFM appointment: A visit with a specialist or team that provides extra care during pregnancy.

Ultrasound: An exam that uses sound waves to create pictures of your baby and other parts of your pregnancy.

Follow-up: Another test, appointment, or step recommended after a visit.

Care plan: The tests, appointments, treatments, and other steps recommended for your pregnancy.

Patient portal: A secure website or app where you can view parts of your medical record.

After-visit summary: A document that may include care instructions and next steps from your appointment. It may be available at checkout or added to your patient portal later, depending on the clinic.

The Main Point

Before leaving your MFM appointment, try to understand what happens next, when it should happen, and whom to contact with questions.

Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Team

Choose the questions that matter most to you.

• What is the main reason for today's visit?
• Who will explain my results, and when?
• Do I need another test or appointment?
• Will my regular pregnancy provider receive a report?
• Which symptoms should I report, and whom should I call?
• How can I get my visit summary and results?
• Who should I contact first if I have a question or concern—my regular OB-GYN or the MFM clinic?

You can ask for an explanation in simpler words or request language support when needed.

A Moment to Reflect

Optional — for your personal reflection.

What is the most important question you want answered during your MFM visit?

You can think about your answer or write it in your own notebook or a printable question sheet.

GestaClara doesn't collect or see your answer.

Before You Move On

You now know how to prepare for your first MFM appointment, what may happen during the visit, and how to find out about your results and next steps.