Fetal Medicine

Fetal Medicine is a specialized branch of obstetrics that focuses on the health of the fetus during pregnancy, particularly when there is a risk of complications or abnormalities. This field involves advanced diagnostic techniques and interventions to monitor, assess, and, in some cases, treat fetal health issues in utero.

Here are the main components of fetal medicine:

Prenatal Ultrasound:

Prenatal ultrasounds use high-frequency sound waves to create images of the fetus in the womb. These ultrasounds help assess fetal growth, development, and position, and can detect physical abnormalities. Regular ultrasounds are essential in tracking the health and development of the baby throughout pregnancy.

Fetal Aneuploidies:

Fetal aneuploidies refer to abnormalities in the number of chromosomes, such as Down syndrome (Trisomy 21), Edward's syndrome (Trisomy 18), or Patau syndrome (Trisomy 13). Screening and diagnostic tests like non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and ultrasounds help identify these conditions, providing crucial information for decision-making and management of the pregnancy.

Amniocentesis:

This is a diagnostic procedure where a small amount of amniotic fluid is extracted from the uterus for testing. The fluid contains fetal cells and chemicals that can provide valuable information about genetic conditions, chromosomal abnormalities, and neural tube defects in the fetus. Amniocentesis is often recommended for high-risk pregnancies.

Chorionic Villous Sampling (CVS):

This is another diagnostic test where a small sample of cells (chorionic villi) is taken from the placenta. CVS is used for early genetic testing and can help detect chromosomal abnormalities and other genetic disorders. It’s typically performed in the first trimester and is an alternative to amniocentesis.

Fetal Reductions:

Fetal reduction is a procedure that reduces the number of fetuses in a multiple pregnancy, usually for medical reasons, such as when the mother’s health is at risk or when there are significant complications. This procedure can help reduce risks associated with multiple pregnancies, like preterm labor and other complications.