Telehealth Bridges Gaps in Maternal-Fetal Medicine Access
Delayed prenatal care and limited access to specialized maternal care are contributing to concerning rates of preterm birth and maternal complications in the United States. Telehealth, specifically teleMFM (virtual consultation with maternal-fetal medicine specialists), offers a promising solution to extend expert care to underserved areas and improve outcomes for high-risk pregnancies.
The Growing Crisis in Maternal Health
The March of Dimes’ 2025 Report Card reveals a continuing struggle with preterm birth in the U.S., with nearly 380,000 babies born prematurely in 2024, representing 10.4% of all births. A significant concern is the late initiation of prenatal care, with nearly a quarter of pregnant individuals not beginning care in the first trimester. These averages mask stark inequities: preterm birth rates are 14.7% among Black mothers, almost 1.5 times the overall rate, and 11.7% among those covered by Medicaid compared to 9.6% with private insurance.
Maternity Care Deserts and Specialist Shortages
More than one-third of U.S. Counties are classified as maternity care deserts, lacking clinicians to deliver babies and/or outpatient clinics or birthing hospitals. This impacts over 2 million women of reproductive age. Compounding this issue is a national shortage of maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialists – roughly 2,000 physicians trained to manage complex pregnancies – who are largely concentrated in urban areas and near academic medical centers.
The Promise of TeleMFM
TeleMFM connects MFM specialists with local obstetric teams and patients virtually. This allows for appropriate counseling, informed decision-making, and co-management of conditions like severe hypertension, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and prior spontaneous preterm birth. It provides support to smaller hospitals and rural clinics, extending high-risk care closer to home.
Benefits of Virtual Consultations
TeleMFM can help patients improve control of gestational diabetes through lifestyle modifications or medication, assess fetal growth, and identify pregnancy complications, facilitating timely transfer to facilities with appropriate resources. It empowers patients to actively participate in their care, fostering a sense of being seen, and heard.
Policy and Systemic Changes Needed
Addressing the maternal health crisis requires a multi-faceted approach. Key policy priorities include expanding and extending Medicaid, guaranteeing paid family leave, reimbursing doula support, increasing mental health screenings, and sustaining robust maternal mortality review committees. Building regional high-risk care networks with defined pathways for teleMFM consults is also essential. Payment models should recognize teleMFM as a standard component of risk-appropriate care.
Strengthening the MFM Workforce
Protecting and growing the MFM workforce is crucial. This includes increasing fellowship positions, offering loan-repayment programs for service in high-need areas, and implementing team-based models to allow MFMs to focus on the most complex cases.
A Call to Action
The March of Dimes report serves as a wake-up call. Leveraging technology and virtual services, like teleMFM, is vital to ensure that every pregnant person, regardless of location or socioeconomic status, has access to the care their pregnancy demands. Improving access, confronting biases, and fostering collaboration are essential steps toward a healthier future for mothers and babies.