offering support when it’s needed most

ichelle Wyatt, MD, and her husband, Kirk, have two boys, including an infant born in July who no doubt keeps the couple on their toes. But the Essentia Health maternal-fetal medicine specialist has been pregnant four times.

She has twice experienced the magic of giving birth to a healthy baby — and twice suffered the kind of heartbreak that accompanies the loss of a pregnancy. Having endured the good and the gut-wrenching bad allows for unique connections between Wyatt and her patients. She understands what women with high-risk pregnancies are going through, not only from a medical perspective but a personal one. She’s been there herself. She can relate.

“It’s made me appreciate all the concerns that patients bring forward,” Wyatt says. “I’m able to support and guide families through challenging and sometimes heartbreaking diagnoses and make sure they feel supported through their journey.”

So what exactly is a maternal-fetal medicine specialist? They are obstetricians who have advanced training in caring for women and babies during a non-routine pregnancy. Sometimes called high-risk obstetricians, they operate alongside OB-GYNs to provide specialized care and manage health concerns when mom or baby has an increased risk for complications during pregnancy or after birth.

Your pregnancy could be high-risk if you:

ƒ Are a teenager or over 35 years old

ƒ Are pregnant with twins, triplets or more

ƒ Have a chronic health condition, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, a blood disorder, HIV or AIDS

ƒ Had complications with previous pregnancies

A maternal-fetal medicine specialist might be part of your care team if your unborn baby is diagnosed with a congenital abnormality

(birth defect), growth problem, infection or other condition. Wyatt also consults with women who, because of a high-risk condition, wonder if it’s safe for them to get pregnant in the first place.

Being part of an OB team and creating customized care plans is one of the elements that appealed to Wyatt. No two patients are the same. Working together with providers across specialties to deliver the best treatment possible is what motivates her.

“Collaboration of care is critical to provide the best outcomes for mom and baby,” Wyatt says.

For example, she will work with an oncologist if a pregnant mother has cancer, or a cardiologist if the mother has a heart defect that puts her at risk. In the case of cancer, the care plan may involve devising a schedule that optimizes the effect of chemotherapy on the mother but minimizes risk to the baby. The objective is to pull together a team of experts relevant to the specific situation and help families navigate potentially complicated pregnancies.

Wyatt’s empathy and understanding help her offer support and reassurance.

“You’re part of a person’s life,” she says. “If you can provide them some support that they wouldn’t have otherwise gotten, then I’ve done something for them.”

Asked to name her favorite aspect of being a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, Wyatt hesitates.

“I don’t think I can pick just one, but really it’s just connecting with families during oftentimes a scary or difficult experience,” she says, adding that her role at times calls her for to be a cheerleader, advocate, psychologist and more.

Wyatt attended medical school at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where she also completed her residency and a fellowship.

She’s excited to serve the community and guide patients at Essentia Health-Fargo.

“My goal is to provide patient-centered and highquality care, with an emphasis on being a support to families, especially for those navigating sometimes challenging and difficult decisions,” Dr. Wyatt says.