Fetal medicine is a relatively new branch of obstetrics (child-birth and midwifery), dedicated to the care of the baby before birth. This could be because the baby is at risk of an abnormality, something has been identified during the pregnancy, or the mother has a problem which could place her baby at risk.
A vital part of fetal medicine is ultrasound, a technique which enables us to visualise the baby inside the womb. The technology is advancing at an incredible rate, and often we see things we don't yet fully understand, making research and development in this field a very exciting and active area.
All women are offered at least two scans during their pregnancy. These may be in the fetal medicine department if there is a reason for this (e.g. a previous baby with an abnormality).
The first scan is a part of the screening programme for Down's Syndrome, and the fluid at the back of the baby's neck (nuchal translucency) is measured. The result is combined with the mother's age and blood results to give a measurement of risk. Following this scan, further tests may be an option.
Additional tests include Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis. The results of either test are usually available in two to three days. These tests are also used for prenatal diagnosis of other conditions such as sickle cell disease or cystic fibrosis.
The second scan at around 20 weeks is specifically to look for fetal abnormalities. In some cases more detailed views of certain structures (e.g. the heart) are needed, and this can be done in the fetal medicine unit.
There are some complex situations where we may refer women to another hospital, either for a second opinion, or because the situation requires very specialist equipment or facilities. This happens very rarely, but we do work closely with other units in these cases.
Some pregnancies will require more detailed assessment including 4D scans, Doppler measurements and even intra-uterine treatments. These are all carried out in the unit at St Helier hospital. Some complicated pregnancies will require regular scans throughout.
The fetal medicine unit is headed by Peter Knott, with help from Leslie Ross (consultant), Venetia James (counsellor and screening co-ordinator) and a strong team of sonographers and midwives.
