Fetal medicine is the branch of medicine that deals with a fetus or baby growing within the mother’s womb. It includes evaluation of the unborn baby, its growth, and Diagnosis of most of the birth defects before the delivery and guides the couple appropriately when necessary. The experienced and skilled specialist here offers a full range of ultrasound services from diagnostic to invasive procedures.

Benefits:

• Fetal abnormalities can be diagnosed early and accurately
• Counsel the parents adequately and accurately such that appropriate decisions can be made during
  pregnancy.
• To co-ordinate with your parent obstetrician in planning management of pregnancies complicated by
  maternal disease/fetal abnormalities, to facilitate best results spread awareness of fetal and neonatal
  care.
• To have a centre of excellence for the continuum of initial evaluation by a fetal medicine specialist
  and review of previous reports.

Multidisciplinary team approach:
Having established a diagnosis we will guide the parents through the review scans and also schedule a joint appointment with a relevant consultant for counselling regarding the various options available, with a fair idea of the prognosis, treatments options available in each situation.

FACILITIES AND SERVICES

Nuchal Translucency (NT )scan
Here, we assess the fetus’ risk of carrying Down’s syndrome and some other common chromosomal abnormalities as well as major structural abnormalities including major congenital heart problems.

TARGET SCAN
This is done at 18-20weeks of pregnancy. Each part of the fetal anatomy is examined to see if the baby is developing normally. If any abnormalities are detected the significance of the findings will be discussed.

FETAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY
Fetal echocardiography is the detailed evaluation of the heart of the fetus to check for any structural abnormalities so that decisions can be taken during pregnancy in the best interest of the fetus.

Growth scan
Fetal growth and wellbeing scans are performed at any stage after 24 weeks of pregnancy. This scan aims to determine the growth and health of the fetus and its environment.

Fetal Doppler
Fetal Doppler is often used to check the placental blood flow, the fetal umbilical blood flow and blood flow in the brain and heart to ensure well being.

Multiple pregnancy scan:
Multiple pregnancies are at higher risk than singleton pregnancies and hence need special care. Ultrasound allows diagnosing the number of multiples; chorionicity and amnionicity, to diagnose certain problems associated with twin gestation.

3D & 4D Ultrasound:
3D scans show still pictures of your baby in three dimensions.4D scans show moving 3D images of your baby, with time being the fourth dimension. Using this technology we can make a better understanding of certain birth defects.

Invasive procedures:
1. Chorionic Villus Sampling:
This is a prenatal test that involves taking a sample of tissue from the placenta to test for chromosomal abnormalities and other genetic problems.
2. Amniocentesis:
This is a prenatal test that involves testing amniotic fluid to test for certain chromosomal abnormalities.