This is unpublished

Dana
Canfield
MD

she/her/hers
Faculty
Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Pinned
Academic
Acting Assistant Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology
Sites of Practice
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Clinic at UWMC-Montlake
Childbirth Center at UWMC-Montlake
Consult Services at UWMC-Montlake

Dana Canfield, MD, is a Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist who specializes in high-risk conditions in pregnancy.

Dr. Canfield believes in an approach to patient care that balances patient autonomy with evidence-based guidance. Her primary goal is to provide patients with care that is both safe and empowering.

Dr. Canfield's clinical expertise includes management of conditions that predispose to traumatic birth, ranging from mental health diagnoses such as anxiety and depression to pregnancy complications such as placenta accreta spectrum.


What do you like to do in your free time?

In her free time, Dr. Canfield is an avid reader and enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking with her dog and cycling.

Why did you decide to pursue a career in academic medicine at UW?

I strongly believe in the academic mission of education, research, and excellent clinical care and have a passion for teaching. Returning to care for the community I was raised in is a tremendous honor.

What is one professional or academic accomplishment of which you are most proud and why?

I have been able to contribute to a growing body of work that examines labor agentry, or perceived control over childbirth, as a potential contributor to postpartum mental health outcomes. This work has deepened my understanding of the aspects of the delivery experience that aren't typically measured but can be highly impactful, such as autonomy, psychological safety, and patient-provider trust.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

Precision of language is precision of thought.

What is one thing that brings you joy, either inside or outside of work?

Working with a team on labor and delivery, sharing both in the triumphs and funny day-to-day moments as well as the heartbreak, has been among the greatest joys of my life.

What inspires you?

My patients, who often live very complicated lives full of challenges and decisions I can't imagine, often fill me with awe.

When do you feel the most impactful?

Whether in my role as a clinician, educator, or researcher, I feel I can be most impactful as an empathetic listener who is willing to grow, change, and innovate.


Licensure:
Washington State Medical License (2025)
California State Medical License (2022)

Board Certifications:
Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology (2023)

Education & Training:
Scripps College, Bachelor of the Arts in Mathematics (2012)
Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, Medical Degree (2018)
University of Utah, Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology (2022)
University of California, San Diego, Fellowship in Maternal-Fetal Medicine (2025)

Clinical Interests:
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders
Childbirth-Related Trauma
Shared Decision Making
Maternal Bleeding and Clotting Disorders
Maternal Cardiac Disorders
Placenta Accreta Spectrum

Research Interests:
The impact of birth experience on postpartum outcomes
Shared decision making
Factors that influence safety of Trial of Labor After Cesarean (TOLAC)
Health equity in perinatal care

Honors & Awards:
Fellows Teaching Award, University of California, San Diego (2025)
Gold Humanism Society (2018)

Professional Organization Membership:
American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists
Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine