In short…
- The demand for maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialists is rising rapidly due to an increase in high-risk pregnancies and persistent workforce shortages, especially in underserved and rural areas.
- A significant proportion of pregnancies, particularly those with elevated risk factors, lack timely access to specialized MFM care—highlighting critical gaps that temporary locum tenens perinatologists can help fill.
- Locum tenens maternal-fetal medicine jobs offer flexible, rewarding opportunities for specialists to address these care disparities, gain diverse clinical experience, and maintain work-life balance.
Each year, up to 8% of pregnant women in the United States—around 30,000 to 50,000 people—face high-risk pregnancies. At the same time, about 1 in 3 U.S. counties (over 1,100) lack any maternity care facilities or obstetric clinicians, creating urgent gaps in access and driving up demand for obstetrician/gynecologists (OB/GYNs) like maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialists, also known as perinatologists. With an OB/GYN shortage projected to worsen—especially in rural areas—the need for flexible care models like locum tenens perinatology is growing. Let’s explore the MFM job market in 2025 and whether locum tenens maternal-fetal medicine jobs could be your next career move.
The Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) Job Market in 2025
Overall employment of OB/GYNs, which includes maternal-fetal medicine specialists/perinatologists, is expected to grow 1% from 2024 to 2034, according to projections by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). More specifically, overall employment of OB/GYNs is forecast to grow from 21,500 to 21,700 over the decade.
Due to the specialization required, there are naturally fewer MFM subspecialists than general OB/GYNs. According to a 2022 study by the Charlotte Lozier Institute, the number of maternal-fetal medicine specialists in the U.S. grew 17% between 2010 and 2022, reaching 1,587 subspecialists nationwide. The states with the highest numbers of perinatologists tend to be those with the largest populations, including California, New York, Texas, Florida, and Pennsylvania.
Despite these positive employment trends, the United States faces a significant physician shortage overall. The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis projects a shortfall of 187,130 physicians by 2037, including nearly 9,890 OB/GYNs. This shortage stems from factors such as an aging workforce, a growing and aging patient population, and limited numbers of new trainees entering the field.
According to the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), demand for MFM specialists is increasing as more women delay childbirth. Advances in medical technology, genetic testing, and a focus on reducing maternal morbidity and mortality have heightened the need for this subspecialty’s expertise. While non-physician providers are increasingly integrated into care teams, MFM physicians remain crucial to managing these complex cases effectively.
Recent research analyzing over 2 million pregnancies found that although 51.6% of at-risk pregnancies received maternal-fetal medicine services, large geographic disparities persist, especially in rural areas. The District of Columbia has the highest density of MFM physicians, whereas states like North Dakota have the lowest. Many areas, including tribal lands and parts of the Dakotas, Wyoming, western Colorado, and New England, are “MFM deserts,” where travel times to specialists range from 3 to 6 hours, highlighting ongoing access challenges.
Interested in learning about OB/GYN salary? Check out our comprehensive guide for more.
Locum Tenens: A Flexible Solution to Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) Staffing Gaps
Locum tenens maternal-fetal medicine jobs are a critical and adaptable staffing solution that helps fill persistent gaps—especially in underserved and rural areas where access to specialists is limited. By deploying experienced MFM physicians on temporary assignments, hospitals and clinics can maintain continuous, high-quality care during patient surges, provider leaves, or recruitment delays.
This flexible approach not only ensures that a high-risk OB/GYN like a perinatologist gives patients the specialized care they need, but it also helps reduce geographic disparities in access by bringing expertise directly to communities that otherwise may lack it.
What are locum tenens maternal-fetal medicine jobs?
A locum tenens perinatologist, also known as a maternal-fetal medicine physician or specialist, provides temporary, flexible coverage for healthcare facilities needing expert care in high-risk pregnancies. Maternal-fetal medicine, or perinatology, focuses on managing complex pregnancy conditions and fetal health concerns before, during, and shortly after birth. Simply put, they’re a high-risk OB/GYN.
Locum tenens MFM jobs typically involve short-term assignments at hospitals, clinics, or specialty centers that face staffing gaps due to provider leaves, surges in patient volume, or recruitment delays. These roles allow permanent staff to maintain continuity of care for patients with complicated maternal or fetal conditions.
Why become a locum tenens high-risk OB/GYN?
Locum tenens work offers high-risk OB/GYNs a career path that combines professional fulfillment with flexibility and financial rewards. Here’s why many maternal-fetal medicine specialists are choosing locum tenens positions:
- Flexible Scheduling: Locum tenens allows you to select assignments that fit your lifestyle and priorities. Whether you want to work full-time, part-time, or take extended breaks, you have the power to control your schedule.
- Higher Earning Potential: Locum positions often pay more per hour than permanent roles and typically include paid travel, housing stipends, and other benefits.
- Diverse Clinical Experience: Working in varied healthcare settings—from urban medical centers to rural hospitals—broadens your clinical expertise and exposure to a range of patient populations and practice styles.
- Reduced Administrative Burden: Locum tenens physicians often face fewer non-clinical responsibilities such as paperwork, meetings, and hospital politics. This lets you focus more on direct patient care.
- Meaningful Impact in Underserved Areas: Many locum tenens assignments are in rural or underserved communities where your expertise can make a significant difference, helping to bridge healthcare gaps and improve outcomes for women with high-risk pregnancies.
- Pathway to Permanent Opportunities: Locum tenens roles can serve as stepping stones to permanent positions, allowing you to explore different workplaces and find the best fit before committing long-term.
Choosing locum tenens as a high-risk OB/GYN balances the demands of this intense specialty with the autonomy and rewards you deserve, making it an increasingly popular career choice among maternal-fetal medicine specialists.
Top States for Locum Tenens Maternal-Fetal Medicine Jobs in 2025
We’ve analyzed our listing data for 2025 and identified a few states in which we’re seeing increased demand for locum tenens high-risk OB/GYNs:
- Florida
- Texas
- Mississippi
- Nebraska
Find Locum Tenens Maternal-Fetal Medicine Job Opportunities with Barton
Interested in starting your career as a locum tenens high-risk OB/GYN? We have exclusive maternal-fetal medicine jobs across the country, and our precision-matching technology will connect you with a position that meets your personal needs and professional goals.
Check out our job board and apply before our locum tenens maternal-fetal medicine jobs are filled.
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is maternal-fetal medicine?
Maternal-fetal medicine (MFM), sometimes called perinatology, is a specialized branch of obstetrics focused on managing health concerns that affect both pregnant people and their babies. This field addresses complications and risks during pregnancy, such as chronic health conditions in the mother, high-risk pregnancies, and fetal abnormalities. Specialists in MFM use advanced diagnostic tools, medical treatments, and sometimes fetal surgery to optimize outcomes for both mother and fetus throughout pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum.
What is a perinatologist?
A perinatologist, also known as a maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialist, is an OB/GYN who has completed additional specialized training to care for high-risk pregnancies. While all perinatologists are OB/GYNs, not all OB/GYNs are perinatologists—this subspecialty requires two to three extra years of fellowship training beyond general obstetrics and gynecology residency.
Perinatologist vs Obstetrician: What’s the difference?
While both perinatologists and obstetricians care for pregnant people, their roles differ primarily in scope and specialization. Obstetricians provide comprehensive care for routine pregnancies, including prenatal checkups, labor, and delivery.
Perinatologists, on the other hand, are trained to handle pregnancies complicated by medical, surgical, or fetal conditions, working alongside obstetricians or as primary providers for these high-risk cases. Think of obstetricians as generalist pregnancy doctors and perinatologists as specialists for the most complex and challenging pregnancies.
Do perinatologists deliver babies?
Yes, perinatologists can deliver babies, especially in high-risk pregnancies where ongoing specialized care is required. While some perinatologists focus primarily on managing pregnancy complications and consult with general obstetricians for delivery, others directly oversee and perform births to ensure both mother and baby receive expert care in complicated situations. Their involvement during delivery is crucial when medical or surgical expertise is needed to manage risks and ensure the safest possible outcomes.
