Joint periviability counseling between neonatology and obstetrics is a rare occurrence

Objective: To investigate the frequency with which neonatal and maternal–fetal medicine (MFM) providers perform joint periviability counseling (JPC), compare content of counseling, and identify perceived barriers to JPC. Study design: An anonymous REDCap survey was e-mailed to members of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine and to members of the Society for MFM. Results: There were 424 neonatal and 115 MFM participants. Fifty-two percent of neonatal and 35% of MFM respondents reported rarely/never performing JPC (p < 0.001), while 80% and 82%, respectively felt it would improve counseling. Content of counseling was similar, except for length of stay with 93% of neonatal vs. 85% of MFM respondents addressing this (p = 0.03). The majority (>60%) of respondents in both groups reported that clinical duties posed a significant/great barrier to JPC. Conclusion: JPC is recommended but infrequently performed, with both specialties interested in further collaboration to strengthen the counseling provided.