Fetal Medicine services refer to a specialized branch of Obstetric medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and management of medical conditions and abnormalities that may affect a developing fetus during pregnancy.These services are provided by experts in the field of Fetal Medicine, often known as Fetal Medicine specialists or Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists.
The primary goal of Fetal Medicine services is to ensure the health and well-being of both the mother and the fetus. These services involve a combination of advanced medical technologies, diagnostic procedures, and interventions to monitor the health of the fetus and provide appropriate care when necessary
Activities:
We offer a detailed examination of the fetus. These are the activities that we perform:
1ST TRIMESTER (1 Month, 5-8 Weeks)
Viability ultrasound
-To confirm that pregnancy is developing normally within the Uterus
Blood tests (Any time during 1st trimester)
To check for full blood count, Blood group, Hepatitis, Rubella, and sexually transmitted diseases
12 Months, 9-12 Weeks
Advanced Free Fetal Fraction Testing
-Blood test that detects foetal DNA in mother's blood sample
Chorionic villus Sampling (CVS) (Week 11-12)
Invasive diagnostic test that involves extraction and biopsy of a small sample of the placental tissue to diagnose trisomies & genetic disorders in the fetus
NTNB & Early Anomaly Screening (Week 11-14)
-To calculate risk for common chromosomal disorders and other genetic disorders in the foetus
-To diagnose any chromosomal and other genetic disorders in the foetus
-Ultrasound scan to assess the thickness of the skin in the neck of the foetus,visibility of the Nasal Bone and blood test from mother to diaognose trisomies & tests of free fetal fractions
-Calculates risk for abnormalities or genetic diseases in the foetus
Down Screening & Pre Eclampsia Screening
Down syndrome screening, also known as trisomy 21 screening, is a common component of Fetal Medicine services. It is a prenatal screening test used to assess the risk of the fetus having Down syndrome, which is a chromosomal disorder caused by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21. Screens for diseases of hypertensive disorders & likelyhood of developing them in pregnancy.
The screening is typically offered to pregnant women during the first and/or second trimester of pregnancy, depending on the healthcare provider's protocols and the availability of different screening options also depending on when the patient has presented for screening
2ND TRIMESTER (3 Months, 14-17 Weeks)
Amniocentesis (Week 16-20)
-Invasive diagnostic test that involves extracting and testing of
a small sample of Amniotic Fluid which contains fetal DNA
-To diagnose chromosomal and other genetic disorders in the foetus.
Targeted Genetic Ultrasound (18-23 Weeks)
A detailed ultrasound examination of the baby is essentially done to ensure and give the reassurance that the baby is normal. In about 2 % of the general population and in some women with medical problems or a family history of genetic diseases there is a possibility of an abnormality in the baby. An ultrasound exam done by a person who is experienced in obstetric ultrasound can pick up a large number of such anomalies. Over the years Dr Kulur's Hospital has come to stay as the referral centre for fetal abnormalities. Many of the scans done here are second opinions or referrals to confirm anomalies. Ultrasound at 20 weeks of gestation is done following the guideline "Rule of 3". - Which include lethal anomalies (incompatible at birth), - Which can be treated after birth (Correctable anomalies) - Eg. hydronephrosis - Which can be treated inutero - Eg. Vesico amniotic shunt, blood transfusion for the fetus in Rh -ve mother
5 Months, 22-25 Weeks
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (Week 24-28)
-3 blood tests (Fasting, then drinking a 75g glucose drink, and 2 other blood tests 1 and 2 hours later)
-Screens for gestational diabetes in the mother
3RD TRIMESTER (6 Months, 28-30 Weeks)
Comprehensive and Doppler Ultrasound (Weeks 28-42)
-Monitor the growth of the foetus and flow in blood vessels such as Umbilical Artery, Uterine Artery, Middle Cerebral Artery & Aortic Arch Supplying blood to the foetus
-To detect fetal growth restrictions as per Barcelona Consenses
Cardiotocograph (Any time during 3rd trimester and labour)
-Monitor the growth of the foetus and flow in blood vessels supplying blood to the foetus
-Continuous Electronic Foetal Monitoring to record foetal heartbeat, and to track uterine contractions
-To assess the well-being of the foetus
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