A pregnancy free of all risks is what an individual wants. Thus, multiple tests during pregnancy are performed to ensure the overall health of the baby and the mother-to-be. From confirming pregnancy to tracking the baby’s health, these tests provide information about the baby’s development and the conditions in the womb. If no complications are found, further scans and tests can be performed to track the baby’s growth. On the other hand, if complications are found, further procedures or tests during pregnancy can be implemented to overcome them.
How Does A Fetal Medicine Centre Help
A fetal medicine centre is helpful in the case of routine tests during pregnancy as well as detailed assessments for high-risk pregnancies. Patients are referred to a fetal medicine specialist upon detection of an abnormality in the baby. Similarly, the pre-existing conditions in the mother or the development of conditions that might affect the baby also lead to a referral. The fetal medicine specialist is also referred to if complications arise during delivery.
Obstetricians are aware of fetal medicine centres, but the common population might not. Thus, they might be confused between the fetal medicine centre and a routine pregnancy scan centre in Mumbai, India or abroad.
Common Tests During Pregnancy
Common tests during pregnancy are:
Fetal Ultrasound
- Early Pregnancy Viability Scan [between 6th and 10th weeks]
- First Trimester (NT-NB) Scan [between 11th and 14th weeks]
- Early Anomaly Scan [between 16th and 18th weeks]
- Detailed Anomaly Scan [between 18th and 23rd weeks]
- Fetal Echocardiography [between 18th and 24th weeks]
- Fetal Neurosonography [between 18 and 24 weeks]
- Fetal Well-Being Scan [between 24 and 40 weeks]
- Fetal Colour Doppler+Biophysical Profile [between 28 and 32 weeks]
- Fetal 3D/4D Scans [between 23 and 36 weeks]
- Fetal MCA-PSV Monitoring [between 25 and 35 weeks]
Invasive Prenatal Diagnosis
The obstetrician or the fetal medicine specialist must inform about the benefits and risks of the diagnostic tests. These tests are performed upon the woman’s consent after she thoroughly discusses them with her doctor/obstetrician and family. The following are the invasive prenatal diagnostic tests:
- Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) [between 10th and 12th weeks]
- Amniocentesis [between 15th and 20th weeks]
- Fetal Blood Sampling [starting from the 18th week]
A fetal medicine centre is often confused with a general pregnancy diagnostic centre in Mumbai, India, or abroad. Thus, the services provided by the centre should be known in advance. Similarly, the benefits, risks and charges of the tests should be known. For instance, an anomaly scan price or dating scan price depends on the location of the centre, the type of facility, the use of technology and the expertise of the doctor.
What Happens After the Tests?
Whether it is a routine pregnancy test conducted at a pregnancy scan centre in Mumbai or a specialised test for complex pregnancy at a fetal medicine centre, the next steps involve a detailed analysis and consultation process. The fetal medicine specialist carefully reviews the results to assess the baby’s growth, development and find potential abnormalities. Based on the findings, additional scans or tests during pregnancy or genetic counselling can be recommended.
However, if everything appears normal, the report is shared to continue regular prenatal care, and the mother and the baby will be monitored to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
Missing the Tests During Pregnancy
Some important tests during pregnancy are recommended upon suspecting related conditions. So, missing these tests can lead to the growth of a specific condition that could have been managed on time for a healthy pregnancy. Though all conditions cannot be eliminated, the specialists can work on managing them.
If a test has been missed, the patient must immediately inform the obstetrician or fetal medicine specialist as soon as possible. If the test is time-sensitive, the doctor may reschedule the test, recommend an alternative or advise close monitoring in later stages.
Best Fetal Medicine Centre in Mumbai
Bliss Fetal Medicine Centre is the prominent one in Mumbai, known for providing advanced diagnostics, scans, tests and counselling. Here, all the above-mentioned tests during pregnancy are performed. Thus, it can be easily preferred when there is a need for a specialised diagnostic ultrasound centre in Mumbai.
The expertise, experience and accuracy of the fetal medicine specialist here are also some of the factors that help it stand apart. Besides performing tests during pregnancy, this fetal medicine centre also provides pre-pregnancy counselling to identify potential risks before getting pregnant, and genetic counselling to understand various factors leading to specific genetic conditions in the baby. Overall, this centre turns out to be a prominent choice when a specialised diagnostic ultrasound centre in Mumbai is needed.
Have Questions About Fetal Development And Testing?
Conclusion
Besides monitoring a fetus’ growth, tests during pregnancy help diagnose abnormalities in the expected baby so that interventions can be performed at the right time. These tests are recommended by the obstetricians upon suspecting abnormalities in the fetus based on various factors. These tests are optional and can be performed by the fetal medicine specialist in the case of complexities. After the tests are completed, follow-up is required to take action according to the results. Overall, it is how a fetal medicine centre can provide complete care for a baby even before it comes to the world.
