Fetal medicine
Fetal Medicine is a super-specialty branch focused on the health of the mother and her unborn baby.
It aims to manage the health concerns of the fetus as a separate entity.
The aim is to screen the pregnancies from as early as the first trimester (11-14 weeks) for fetal structural defects, chromosomal abnormalities (Trisomy 21 – Down Syndrome, Trisomy 13- Patau Syndrome, Trisomy 18- Edward Syndrome), genetic syndromes, and pre-eclampsia (hypertension-related to pregnancy), followed by detailed survey of the fetus for structural defects in the second trimester and assessment of fetal growth and well-being in the third trimester. Besides looking after the unborn baby, the aim is also to be a constant guide to the mother in her most treasured 9 months of pregnancy.
It also involves counseling the expectant couples in case of fetal complications.
In case of an abnormality, genetic counselling is also offered in our centre as an add-on service to the pregnant mother and couple.
A fetal medicine specialist is a “physician of the unborn baby” who super-specializes after post-graduation in radiology or obstetrics. They are trained to understand the unborn, predict and recognize the problems which you or your baby may have during pregnancy with the help of ultrasound scans and various other tests. Once a problem is found, they will counsel you in detail to make you understand the problem and also discuss various management options and also intervene wherever necessary. They work in close coordination with the managing obstetricians and screen all the pregnancies for abnormalities or complications. They also work closely with neonatologists, pediatricians, or pediatric surgeons for counseling and management of certain abnormalities of the unborn baby.
The aim is also to give you an in-depth, unambiguous, simplified, understanding of your pregnancy along with the development of unborn child in the womb. The primary objective is to provide support for a healthy baby free of perinatal and post natal complications.
Ultrasound of uterus done in pregnant patients for fetal and maternal assessment
| Timing of Gestation | Test Timing | Patient Preparation | Test Duration | Common Indications | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EARLY PREGNANCY SCAN | Up to 12 weeks | Anytime during the day | No preparation, A good meal before the test, One glass of water 20mins before, Old Reports to be carried, Comfortable clothing, Doctor’s prescription with Registration number, stamp and seal MANDATORY | 20 mins, Wait time of 30 mins to 1 hr (Also depends on patient load) | Pregnancy confirmation, Dating, Fetal viability, Cervix assessment |
| NT SCAN | 11.6 weeks to 13.6 weeks | Anytime during the day, Morning timings are preferred, Prior appointment mandatory | No preparation, A good meal before the test, One glass of water 20mins before, Old Reports to be carried, Comfortable clothing, Doctor’s prescription with Registration number, stamp and seal MANDATORY | 30 mins to 2 hrs Depends on fetal position, Wait time of 30 mins to 1 hr (Also depends on patient load) | Look for genetic markers mainly Down’s syndrome, Look for any early anomalies, Cervix assessment, Preeclampsia marker assessment |
| ANOMALY SCAN | 18-20 weeks | Anytime during the day, Morning timings are preferred, Prior appointment mandatory | No preparation, A good meal before the test, One glass of water 20mins before, Old Reports to be carried, Comfortable clothing, Doctor’s prescription with Registration number, stamp and seal MANDATORY | 1 hr to 4 hrs Depends on fetal position, Wait time of 30 mins to 1 hr (Also depends on patient load) | Look for all fetal parts for structural anomalies, Cervix assessment, Preeclampsia marker assessment |
| GROWTH SCAN | 28-30 weeks | Anytime during the day | No preparation, A good meal before the test, One glass of water 20mins before, Old Reports to be carried, Comfortable clothing, Doctor’s prescription with Registration number, stamp and seal MANDATORY | 20 mins to 40 mins, Wait time of 30 mins to 1 hr (Also depends on patient load) | Growth monitoring |
| OBSTETRIC DOPPLER | 34-36 weeks | Anytime during the day | No preparation, A good meal before the test, One glass of water 20mins before, Old Reports to be carried, Comfortable clothing, Doctor’s prescription with Registration number, stamp and seal MANDATORY | 20 mins to 40 mins, Wait time of 30 mins to 1 hr (Also depends on patient load) | Fetal and maternal circulatory assessment, Look for signs of fetal growth restriction |
| BIOPHYSICAL PROFILE | 38-40 weeks | Anytime during the day | No preparation, A good meal before the test, One glass of water 20mins before, Old Reports to be carried, Comfortable clothing, Doctor’s prescription with Registration number, stamp and seal MANDATORY | 20 mins to 40 mins, Wait time of 30 mins to 1 hr (Also depends on patient load) | Look for biophysical markers, Growth monitoring |
| FETAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY | 22-26 weeks | Anytime during the day, Morning timings are preferred, Prior appointment mandatory | No preparation, A good meal before the test, One glass of water 20 mins before, Old Reports to be carried, Comfortable clothing, Doctor’s prescription with Registration number, stamp and seal MANDATORY | 1 hr to 4 hrs Depends on fetal position, Wait time of 30 mins to 1 hr (Also depends on patient load) | Detailed fetal heart evaluation |
| FETAL NEUROSONOGRAPHY | 24-26 weeks | Anytime during the day, Morning timings are preferred, Prior appointment mandatory | No preparation, A good meal before the test, One glass of water 20mins before, Old Reports to be carried, Comfortable clothing, Doctor’s prescription with Registration number, stamp and seal MANDATORY | 1 hr to 4 hrs Depends on fetal position, Wait time of 30 mins to 1 hr (Also depends on patient load) | Detailed fetal brain and spine evaluation |
| Test Timing | Patient Preparation | Test Duration | Common Indications | Common Tests | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amniocentesis | 16-24 weeks, Anytime during the day, Morning timings are preferred, Prior appointment mandatory, Patient with husband needs to attend a counselling session prior to the test | No preparation, Patients blood group needed, Empty bladder, Comfortable clothing, Doctor’s prescription with Registration number ,stamp and seal MANDATORY, A relative accompanying the patient is mandatory, All previous reports to be carried with the patient | 30 mins to 1 hour, Depends on fetal position, Wait time of 30 mins to 1 hr (Also depends on patient load) | Look for chromosomal anomaly, Previous sibling with genetic disease, Parents are cariers of any abnormal genotype, Abnormal prenatal blood test or marker showing increased risk for genetic disease | FISH / Fetal Karyotyping, Thallasaemia assay |
| CHORIONIC VILLOUS BIOPSY | 10-12 weeks, Anytime during the day, Morning timings are preferred, Prior appointment mandatory, Patient with husband needs to attend a counselling session prior to the test | No preparation, Patients blood group needed, Empty bladder, Comfortable clothing, Doctor’s prescription with Registration number ,stamp and seal MANDATORY, A relative accompanying the patient is mandatory, All previous reports to be carried with the patient | 30 mins to 1 hour, Wait time of 30 mins to 1 hr (Also depends on patient load) | Look for chromosomal anomaly, Previous sibling with genetic disease, Parents are cariers of any abnormal genotype, Abnormal prenatal blood test or marker showing increased risk for genetic disease | FISH / Fetal Karyotyping, Thallasaemia assay |
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