{"id":47810,"date":"2025-05-12T11:29:32","date_gmt":"2025-05-12T03:29:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/?post_type=health-article&#038;p=47810"},"modified":"2025-07-30T18:19:01","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T10:19:01","slug":"safeguarding-mothers-and-babies-the-future-of-maternal-fetal-medicine-in-malaysia","status":"publish","type":"health-article","link":"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/health-articles\/safeguarding-mothers-and-babies-the-future-of-maternal-fetal-medicine-in-malaysia\/","title":{"rendered":"Safeguarding Mothers and Babies: The Future of Maternal-Fetal Medicine in Malaysia"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"47810\" class=\"elementor elementor-47810\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-91debb8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"91debb8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-32c3e3d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"32c3e3d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 15-07-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p>The World Health Organisation (WHO) has launched Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures, a global initiative to reduce maternal and newborn mortality while emphasising maternal well-being beyond childbirth.<\/p><p>In Malaysia, Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) plays a vital role in managing high-risk pregnancies, improving birth outcomes, and ensuring <a href=\"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/health-article\/how-to-have-a-safe-pregnancy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">safer deliveries<\/a>. While the country has made remarkable progress in maternal and newborn healthcare, challenges remain, particularly in handling complex pregnancies and ensuring equal access to specialised care. Strengthening MFM services is essential to improving the long-term health of both mothers and babies.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3155a12 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"3155a12\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 15-07-2024 *\/\n.elementor-column .elementor-spacer-inner{height:var(--spacer-size)}.e-con{--container-widget-width:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer{width:var(--container-widget-width,var(--spacer-size));--align-self:var(--container-widget-align-self,initial);--flex-shrink:0}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container{height:100%;width:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer{height:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer>.elementor-spacer-inner,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer>.elementor-spacer-inner{height:var(--container-widget-height,var(--spacer-size))}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty{position:relative;min-height:22px;min-width:22px}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty .elementor-widget-empty-icon,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty .elementor-widget-empty-icon{position:absolute;top:0;bottom:0;left:0;right:0;margin:auto;padding:0;width:22px;height:22px}<\/style>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-66beb4c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"66beb4c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" id=\"subtopic01\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 15-07-2024 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Malaysia\u2019s Progress in Maternal and Newborn Health<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c248f72 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c248f72\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Malaysia has seen significant improvements in maternal and newborn health over the decades. The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) decreased to 25.7 per 100,000 live births in 2023 (Department of Statistics Malaysia,2023) compared to 44 per 100,00 live births in the early 1990s, while the infant mortality rate fell to 6.7 per 1,000 live births from 10 per 1000 live births in the early 2000s. These positive trends reflect better healthcare access, improved obstetric care, and advances in neonatal medicine.<\/p><p>With the majority of births taking place in medical facilities, most Malaysian women have access to skilled care during the antenatal and postnatal period. Routine antenatal checkups, first-trimester screenings, fetal anomaly (abnormality) scans, and invasive diagnostic procedures have also contributed to better outcomes by enabling the early detection of complications.<\/p><p>However, despite these achievements, new challenges have emerged, particularly in managing high-risk pregnancies and ensuring that specialised services are accessible to all.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0518014 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"0518014\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-35c526d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"35c526d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" id=\"subtopic02\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Challenges of Maternal and Newborn Health in Malaysia<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b423ab5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b423ab5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>One of the biggest challenges is the rising number of high-risk pregnancies, partly due to better screening and detection.\u00a0<strong>Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM)<\/strong>\u00a0is becoming more common, affecting up to\u00a0<strong>18.3% of pregnancies<\/strong>\u00a0(International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2022). The increasing number of overweight and obese pregnant women also raises the risk of preeclampsia, which is a type of pregnancy complication associated with high blood pressure and protein in the urine. Obese mothers also have\u00a0<strong>higher risks of stillbirth and macrosomia (large birth weight babies)<\/strong>. Additionally, as more women delay pregnancy, there has been a rise in fetal chromosomal abnormalities and pregnancy complications, emphasising the need for early intervention and specialised care.<\/p><p>Another major concern is the unequal access to specialised services, especially for women in rural and Indigenous communities. These populations face transportation barriers and delayed referrals, which can lead to increased complications. While Malaysia has well-equipped tertiary hospitals with fetal medicine units, the number of trained MFM specialists remains insufficient, leading to longer wait times and limited access to advanced care such as detailed fetal imaging and genetic testing.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d8b5b3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"3d8b5b3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8952c6e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8952c6e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 15-07-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/innner-image-2-01.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-47816\" alt=\"A woman with a high-risk pregnancy condition receiving extra care through maternal-fetal medicine to support a safer birth\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/innner-image-2-01.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/innner-image-2-01-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/innner-image-2-01-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/innner-image-2-01-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/innner-image-2-01-1536x768.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe75e49 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"fe75e49\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-67bd5d9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"67bd5d9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Maternal health issues do not end after childbirth.\u00a0<strong>Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH)<\/strong>\u00a0continues to be a leading cause of maternal deaths in Malaysia (The Lancet Global Health,2023), despite efforts to improve emergency obstetric care.\u00a0<strong>Postpartum depression (PPD)<\/strong>\u00a0affects an estimated\u00a0<strong>10\u201315% of mothers<\/strong>, yet many do not receive proper mental health support due to stigma and lack of awareness (Malaysian Journal of Medical Research,2023). Additionally, women with a history of preeclampsia or GDM face an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease later in life (European Journal of Obstetrics &amp; Gynaecology,2023), underscoring the need for long-term maternal health monitoring.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9a324e3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"9a324e3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8da5777 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8da5777\" data-element_type=\"widget\" id=\"subtopic03\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Strengthening Maternal-Fetal Medicine for a Healthier Future<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1868903 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1868903\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>To further improve maternal and newborn health, Malaysia must enhance its MFM services by expanding access, improving screening and diagnostics, and strengthening postpartum care. Refining fetal monitoring and intervention protocols is essential, particularly for pregnancies affected by hypertension and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/health-articles\/reversing-diabetes-hope-and-health-through-lifestyle-changes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">diabetes<\/a>, as early detection can lead to timely management and better outcomes. Increasing the number of trained MFM specialists will also help ensure that all women, regardless of location, receive high-quality care.<\/p><p>Implementing universal first-trimester screening for chromosomal abnormalities and early-onset preeclampsia is another crucial step. Early diagnosis can significantly reduce pregnancy complications by allowing for prompt medical interventions. At the same time, advancements in fetal therapy and neonatal care must be prioritised. Strengthening neonatal intensive care units (NICUS) and neonatal transport services will ensure that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/health-articles\/preterm-birth-prevention\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">preterm<\/a> and critically ill newborns receive the care they need, regardless of where they are born.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d9d77fd elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"d9d77fd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b25f161 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b25f161\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/inner-image-1-01.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-47815\" alt=\"A mother and newborn receiving postnatal care after delivery to support the recovery of both\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/inner-image-1-01.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/inner-image-1-01-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/inner-image-1-01-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/inner-image-1-01-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/inner-image-1-01-1536x768.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d5f2817 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"d5f2817\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-492dc49 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"492dc49\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Beyond pregnancy and childbirth, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/health-articles\/mothers-day-pregnancy-preparation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">long-term maternal health<\/a> must be integrated into routine care. Women with a history of preeclampsia or GDM should receive regular cardiovascular screenings, as they have a higher risk of developing heart disease later in life. Postpartum depression must also be addressed more proactively, with greater access to mental health screening and counselling services to support mothers\u2019 emotional well-being. Breaking the stigma surrounding maternal mental health is just as important as providing medical care.<\/p><p>Malaysia has made tremendous progress in maternal-fetal medicine, but continued efforts are needed to tackle high-risk pregnancies, improve access to specialised care, and enhance postnatal support. By expanding MFM services, advancing fetal diagnostics, and prioritising long-term maternal health, Malaysia can align with WHO\u2019s Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures campaign and work toward a future where every mother and baby receives the best possible care. Investing in maternal-fetal medicine today will ensure healthier generations for years to come.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7b3a7a5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"7b3a7a5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f872558 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f872558\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em><span style=\"color: #999999;\">This article first appeared in<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/parenthood.my\/bump-to-birth\/safeguarding-mothers-and-babies-the-future-of-maternal-fetal-medicine-in-malaysia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Parenthood, 12 May 2025.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures, a global initiative to reduce maternal and newborn mortality while emphasizing maternal well-being beyond childbirth.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":47814,"template":"","topic":[257],"language":[137],"class_list":["post-47810","health-article","type-health-article","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","topic-maternal-fetal-medicine","language-en"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.0 - 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