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During your pregnancy, you may be referred to a specialist in maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) if you or your baby have a condition that increases the risk of complications during pregnancy or delivery. Pre-existing health conditions, history of preterm birth, new pregnancy-related conditions, multiple gestations, genetic conditions and fetal anomalies are among the many reasons you may be co-managed by a maternal-fetal specialist.
Director
English
MFM & Genetics of Advantia
MFM & Genetics of Advantia, Washington DC
Prior to her current role, Dr. Timofeev served as an Assistant Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and was seeing patients at Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Sibley Memorial Hospital, specializing in high-risk pregnancies and fetal diagnostics. She earned her medical degree from the University of Florida College of Medicine, completing residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Virginia, and a fellowship in Maternal-Fetal Medicine at MedStar Washington Hospital Center/Georgetown.
Dr. Timofeev has published research in peer-reviewed journals, including Obstetrics and Gynecology, the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the New England Journal of Medicine, as well as has co-authored several book chapters. She has also served on the national American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Committee on Genetics, as well as the ACOG Obstetric Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee.
Her clinical work focuses on advancements in fetal imaging and early detection of fetal anomalies.
Licensed, Certified Genetic Counselor
English
MFM & Genetics of Advantia
MFM & Genetics of Advantia, Washington DC
Jennifer is a board-certified genetic counselor who has been working with preconception and pregnant patients in the Washington, D.C., area since graduating from the University of Maryland Genetic Counseling Program in 2010. For five years, Jennifer worked as a reproductive genetic counselor in Fairfax, VA, where she gained expertise with assisted reproductive technologies and preimplantation genetic testing of embryos. Since 2015, she has worked as part of a Maternal Fetal Medicine team, providing risk assessments, coordinating genetic testing, and supporting individuals through preconception and pregnancy.
Jennifer is an active member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors and the Maryland and DC Society of Genetic Counselors and has served as a public member of several committees of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, including the Committee on Genetics, the Clinical Practice Guideline Committee for Obstetrics, and the Clinical Practice Guideline Committee for Gynecology. She has taught and supervised genetic counseling students from local genetic counseling programs, given Grand Rounds presentations to local healthcare professionals, and regularly attends conferences and webinars to continue her professional education. Jennifer lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, two sons, and a cat, who enjoys joining telemedicine appointments.
Maternal-fetal medicine (MFM), also known as perinatology, is an obstetric subspecialty that focuses on the health and well-being of both the mother and fetus during pregnancy. Maternal-fetal medicine specialists are obstetricians with advanced training in high-risk pregnancies and ultrasound imaging. They manage and treat pregnancy complications resulting from genetic disorders and chronic and pregnancy-related health conditions such as gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune disorders and fetal complications such as growth restriction.
MFM specialists also use advanced diagnostic tests and imaging to identify potential medical concerns or complications and monitor the ongoing development of the fetus. They work closely with genetic counselorsand other healthcare professionals, such as pediatric subspecialists, to ensure the best possible outcomes for both pregnant women and their babies.
Maternal-fetal medicine specialists are an integral part of a high-risk obstetric care team, who are focused on the health of both mother and baby from conception to delivery. Through their specialized training and experience, they are able to help diagnose and treat a range of conditions affectinga pregnancy or delivery. Depending on your condition, you may need to see an MFM specialist only once, or you may have regular follow ups to co-manage any conditions impacting your health, or the health of your baby..
A genetic counselor in a Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) office helps patients understand genetic risks and options during pregnancy. They provide education about inherited conditions, assess family history, and explain the benefits and limitations of genetic screening and diagnostic tests. Genetic counselors guide patients through decisions about testing, help interpret test results, and offer emotional support. Their goal is to empower patients with the information needed to make informed choices for their pregnancy and family planning, and they are an integral part of comprehensive care provided in the MFM office.
Maternal-fetal medicine specialists care for patients who have chronic health conditions such as kidney or heart disease, thyroid disorders, autoimmune diseases, neurologic disorders or hypertension, or have a history of prior pregnancy complications. They also support women who develop medical conditions during their pregnancy such as gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, etc.
Women carrying twins or triplets, or babies with structural anomalies such as cleft lip or palate, or pregnancies affected by congenital infections, genetic conditions or growth restrictions, can also receive high-risk pregnancy care from an MFM physician.
A number of diagnostic tests and procedures are available through MFM specialists to help detect chromosomal abnormalities, rare diseases and some inherited genetic conditions.
These include:
Additional tests for specific inherited disorders or congenital infections, as well as measurement of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels to assess for neural tube defects, may also be performed. Your MFM specialist can discuss testing options for your specific condition, as well as the risks and benefits of each.
MFM & Genetics of Advantia offers treatment and care options tailored to your high-risk condition with the objective of achieving a healthy pregnancy and outcome.
Options include:
MFM specialists and genetic counselors perform consultations prior to pregnancies to help families understand their risk of pregnancy complications and genetic conditions that may impact future pregnancies.
These discussions include family history, genetic risks related to maternal and paternal age, evaluation of recurrent pregnancy loss, medication exposure in pregnancy and fetal anomalies, as well as available diagnostic testing.
Ultrasounds are an important tool for assessing risks prior to a pregnancy, diagnosing maternal or fetal health conditions and monitoring the ongoing growth and development of a single or multiple fetuses. Because this imaging technique uses sound waves to create images of the fetus, placenta and amniotic fluid, it is considered safe when performed under medical supervision.
Ultrasound can be used during pregnancy by an MFM specialist to date the pregnancy and assess nuchal translucency (the space at the back of a fetus’s neck), monitor the length of the mother’s cervix, perform an anatomic survey of the fetus oror conduct other tests or specialized monitoring.
New genetic tests and related technologies have enabled the MFM specialty to detect conditions earlier in pregnancies, improve the accuracy of diagnoses and enhance care and treatment throughout pregnancies.
For its patients, MFM & Genetics of Advantia combines the use of well-established procedures and these advances as indicated by their conditions help women achieve healthy pregnancy.
If you are considering becoming pregnant and have a chronic health or genetic condition, history of pregnancy complications or loss, or are age 35 or older, you may wish to schedule a pre-pregnancy consultation with an MFM specialist or genetic counselor.
If you are already pregnant, your OB-GYN or other healthcare provider may refer you to a MFM specialist based on conditions specific to your pregnancy that place you in a high-risk category, including a pregnancy with multiple gestations, fetal growth concerns, gestational diabetes, etc.
If you have been referred by your primary care provider, OB-GYN or other healthcare provider, please call our office to schedule an appointment. Our dedicated team will help you understand what information to provide in advance to ensure you see the care best suited to your condition.
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