Gynaecology
RSV Vaccine in Pregnancy: Safety, Timing, and Why It Matters
With RSV season approaching this September, now is the time to talk about one of the newest maternal vaccines we have: the RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccine.
Fetal Medicine Specialist in Dubai
Our specialised approach prioritises the health and happiness of both mother and baby, providing tailored care to promote a safe and joyous journey to childbirth. Contact Dr Helena Taylor Clinic for appointment.
What is maternal and fetal medicine?
Maternal and fetal medicine is a specialised branch of healthcare that focuses on the well-being of both expectant mothers and their unborn babies. It combines the expertise of obstetrics (the care of pregnant women) and perinatology (the care of the fetus) to provide comprehensive care throughout pregnancy.
One of the key goals of fetal medicine is to ensure a healthy pregnancy and childbirth for both the mother and baby. This involves monitoring the progress of the pregnancy closely and addressing any potential risks or complications that may arise.
Fetal medicine specialists, often referred to as maternal-fetal medicine specialists or perinatologists, are highly trained doctors who have additional expertise in managing high-risk pregnancies and complex medical conditions. They work closely with obstetricians, midwives, and other healthcare providers to develop personalised care plans for each mother. Experts in detecting birth defects, fetal medicine specialists use advanced imaging techniques, such as ultrasounds and fetal echocardiography, to assess the health and development of the fetus.
In cases where there are concerns about the health of the mother or baby, fetal medicine specialists can provide advanced diagnostic and treatment options. This may include interventions to manage conditions such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, or fetal abnormalities.
Why choose fetal medicine for high-risk pregnancy?
Choosing fetal medicine for a high-risk pregnancy offers specialised care and expertise tailored to both the mother and baby’s unique needs. Some benefits of choosing fetal medicine for high risk pregnancies include:
- Specialised Expertise: Fetal medicine specialists are highly trained in managing complex pregnancies and addressing potential complications, offering specialised care tailored to individual needs.
- Advanced Diagnostic Tools: These specialists utilise advanced imaging techniques such as ultrasounds and fetal monitoring to closely monitor the health and development of both the mother and the baby.
- Early Detection of Risks: Fetal medicine specialists can identify potential issues early in pregnancy, allowing for timely interventions and personalised treatment plans to optimise outcomes.
- Comprehensive Care Approach: They collaborate closely with obstetricians and other healthcare providers to provide holistic care for high-risk pregnancies, ensuring that both mother and baby receive the support they need throughout pregnancy and childbirth.
- Access to Fetal Therapy: In cases where fetal abnormalities are detected, fetal medicine specialists can offer specialised interventions and therapies to improve outcomes for the baby.
Overall, choosing fetal medicine for a high-risk pregnancy ensures comprehensive care, specialised expertise, and personalised support for expectant families, ultimately leading to the best possible outcomes for both mother and baby.
What makes a pregnancy high risk?
A high-risk pregnancy involves factors like maternal age, medical conditions, multiple pregnancies, previous complications, genetic factors, and lifestyle choices. Conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and preeclampsia can complicate pregnancies. Women with high-risk pregnancies need specialised care to mitigate risks and ensure positive outcomes for both mother and baby.
Factors considered for high-risk pregnancy include:
Age
Women aged under 17 or over 35
Multiple pregnancies
Carrying twins, triplets, or more increases the risk of complications.
Previous pregnancy complications
Women who have experienced miscarriages, preterm births, or stillbirths may be at higher risk.
Genetic factors
Certain genetic conditions or family histories such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or being HIV-positive may increase the risk of birth defects or genetic disorders.
While a high-risk pregnancy doesn’t always imply that your pregnancy will be more challenging or difficult, it may require consulting a fetal medicine specialist and undergoing additional monitoring compared to a low-risk pregnancy.
Our Services
What tests do maternal-fetal specialists offer?
Morphology Scan
The morphology scan, also called the anatomy scan or 20-week ultrasound , assesses fetal development and detects potential abnormalities in organs and structures.
Why is the scan necessary?
It offers vital insights for monitoring the health of both mother and baby, guiding appropriate medical care and intervention if necessary.
Fetal Anomaly
Designed to detect any irregularities or abnormalities in the developing fetus, fetal anomaly scans include additional assessments beyond just examining the structure of the fetus.
What can the scan detect?
- structural abnormalities
- chromosomal abnormalities
- growth restriction
- placental abnormalities
- amniotic fluid levels
- craniofacial abnormalities
- chromosomal abnormalities
- growth restriction
- placental abnormalities
- amniotic fluid levels
- craniofacial abnormalities
NT Scans
NT (nuchal translucency) scans are prenatal tests performed between 11 and 14 weeks of pregnancy. They measure the thickness of the clear space at the back of the fetus's neck.
What does this assess?
This measurement, along with other factors like maternal age and blood tests, helps assess the risk of certain chromosomal abnormalities, particularly Down syndrome and other genetic conditions.
Growth scans
Growth scans, also known as fetal growth scans or growth ultrasounds, are prenatal tests used to monitor the growth and development of the fetus during pregnancy.
What can I find out from the scan?
These scans assess various parameters of the developing baby such as:
- size
- weight
- placental function
- amniotic fluid levels
- development of body parts
(head, abdomen and limbs)
- size
- weight
- placental function
- amniotic fluid levels
- development of body parts
(head, abdomen and limbs)
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