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Introduction

Fetal medicine, also known as maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) is a subspecialty of obstetrics that focuses on the health of the mother and fetus before, during, and after pregnancy.

Fetal medicine has advanced in many ways to monitor and manage maternal and fetal health, including through technological innovations and medical breakthroughs

Who are Fetal Medicine Specialists

Fetal medicine Specialists are obstetricians and gynecologists with additional training in managing high-risk pregnancies. They work with pregnant women and their primary obstetricians to address complications and optimize the health of both the mother and the fetus

Role of Fetal Medicine in Obstetrics

  • Advanced Ultrasound diagnosis:
    Fetal ultrasound has revolutionized prenatal care by providing detailed information about fetal growth, anatomy, and well-being throughout the pregnancy. This helps in early detection of abnormalities, and advanced technologies like 3D/4D ultrasounds can provide even more detailed information.
  • Diagnostic tests:
    Maternal-fetal medicine specialists use various diagnostic tests and monitoring procedures to assess fetal health, including fetal echocardiography, genetic screening tests, and comprehensive maternal health assessments.
  • Monitoring equipment:
    Equipment used to monitor fetal cardiac activity, maternal contractions, amniotic fluid volume, and vascular resistance includes external fetal monitors, intravenous oxytocin, vibroacoustic stimulators, and ultrasound with Doppler velocimetry.

Important screenings done in conjunction with maternal-fetal medicine include:

  • Alpha-fetoprotein testing
  • Amniocentesis
  • Pre-eclampsia Screening
  • Chorionic villus sampling (CVS)
  • Down syndrome screening
  • Multiple marker screening (MMS)
  • Neural tube defect screening
  • Fetal cardiac anomaly screening
  • Non-stress/contraction stress tests (fetal heart rate testing)

Services We Provide:

  • Assessing structural abnormalities
  • Evaluate Fetal health
  • Assess Maternal health
  • Non-Invasive Screening Tests
  • Invasive Procedures

Ultrasound scan to assess structural abnormalities

  • Early anomaly scan (12-16 weeks): A detailed ultrasound is performed between 12-16 weeks of pregnancy to identify major fetal abnormalities and assess overall fetal development.
  • Second-trimester anomaly scan or Level-II scan: A comprehensive ultrasound around 18-20 weeks to evaluate the baby’s anatomy and screen for structural or genetic abnormalities.
  • Multiple Pregnancy Scan: This scan monitors the development and health of each fetus during multiple pregnancies, assessing growth andidentifying potential complications.

Ultrasound scan to Evaluate Fetal health

Used to assess the overall health and development of the fetus, including growth, position, and amniotic fluid levels.

  • Fetal viability scan: Performed in early pregnancy to confirm fetal heartbeat and ensure the pregnancy is progressing normally.
  • Fetal well-being scan: A detailed scan that assesses fetal growth, position, movements, and amniotic fluid to ensure the baby is healthy.
  • Doppler scan: An ultrasound that measures blood flow in the fetus’s vessels, helping assess oxygen and nutrient supply.
  • Fetal echocardiography: Specialized ultrasound to evaluate the fetal heart’s structure, function, and rhythm, helping detect heart defects.
  • Fetal Neurosonogram: A detailed scan focusing on the fetal brain and spinal cord, detecting abnormalities in the nervous system.
  • 3-D and 4-D Ultrasound: Advanced imaging that provides three-dimensional and real-time moving images of the fetus, enhancing visualization of features.

Ultrasound scan to assess Maternal health

  • Pre-eclampsia screening: Screening that uses ultrasound and blood tests to assess the risk of pre-eclampsia, a condition characterized by high blood pressure during pregnancy.

Non-Invasive Screening Tests:

Tests that evaluate the risk of genetic disorders in the fetus without needing invasive procedures, often involving blood tests and ultrasound.

  • First Trimester Screening: A combination of ultrasound and blood tests performed between 11-14 weeks to assess the risk of chromosomal abnormalities like Down syndrome.
  • Second Trimester Screening: A follow-up screening using blood tests and ultrasound to detect genetic abnormalities and evaluate fetal growth.

Invasive Prenatal Diagnosis Procedures:

These procedures are done by skilled and experienced Fetal Medicine specialists only, as these procedures are slightly invasive and have a slight risk. They are only done as a confirmatory test when primary screening tests show a strong indication of risks to the fetus and pregnancy outcome. Sometimes Fetal Intervention can be carried out to correct the risks.

  • Chorionic Villus Sampling: A diagnostic test where a small sample of placental tissue is taken to test for genetic conditions.
  • Fetal Blood Sampling: A procedure to collect a sample of the fetus’s blood to test for infections or genetic abnormalities.
  • Genetic Amniocentesis: A procedure where amniotic fluid is sampled to check for chromosomal abnormalities or genetic disorders.
  • Embryo Reduction: A procedure used to reduce the number of fetuses in multiple pregnancies to lower health risks for the mother and remaining fetuses.

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Understanding Maternal Fetal Medicine and Fetal Ultrasound

Understanding Maternal Fetal Medicine and Fetal Ultrasound

Understanding Maternal Fetal Medicine and Fetal Ultrasound

Understanding

Conclusion

Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) is a specialized branch of obstetrics focused on managing complex pregnancies and ensuring the health of both the mother and fetus. This field uses a range of advanced diagnostic tools and scans to monitor fetal development, detect abnormalities, and assess maternal well-being throughout pregnancy. Key scans in MFM include NT scans, second-trimester anomaly scans, fetal viability and wellbeing scans, Doppler studies, and specialized imaging like fetal echocardiography and neurosonograms. Together, these scans provide a comprehensive understanding of fetal health, enabling early detection and management of potential complications for better pregnancy outcomes.

  • Timely completion of these maternal-fetal scans is crucial for the health of both the mother and fetus, as well as for ensuring a positive pregnancy outcome.
  • Early and regular scans allow for the prompt detection of structural abnormalities, genetic conditions, or complications that may otherwise go unnoticed.
  • By identifying these issues early, healthcare providers can intervene and manage potential risks, reducing the chances of severe complications later in pregnancy or at birth.
  • For the mother, timely scans can help detect conditions like pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, or cervical insufficiency, which may pose significant health risks if left untreated.
  • Early detection allows for better management and monitoring, reducing the likelihood of emergency interventions and improving maternal health.
  • For the fetus, scans such as anomaly screenings and Doppler studies can reveal problems with growth, blood flow, or organ development, allowing for targeted treatments or preparations for any necessary interventions post-birth.
  • Monitoring fetal health can also guide decisions regarding delivery timing and method, helping to prevent complications during labor and delivery.

Ultimately, regular and timely scans lead to improved pregnancy outcomes by allowing for early diagnosis, timely treatment, and well-planned care, ensuring the best possible health for both mother and baby.

Highlights

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Additional Reading

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  • Close Relative: Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining ess ntially unchanged.
  • Close Relative: Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining ess ntially unchanged.
  • Reproductive History: Ideally, donors should have had at least one healthy
    pregnancy, although this is not mandatory.
  • Reproductive History: Ideally, donors should have had at least one healthy pregnancy, although this is not mandatory.