About Us
Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust provides a tertiary Fetal Medicine service receiving referrals from health professionals throughout the North West and further./newimg_052.jpg)
Most pregnancies are uncomplicated but sometimes a mother or her unborn baby (fetus) may require additional care from a specialist fetal medicine unit.
The services are provided by a dedicated team of specialist Fetal medicine Doctors and midwives supported by health care assistants.
We work closely with professionals from genetics, cytogenetics and Alder Hey to provide seamless care for women and their families.
The Fetal Medicine Unit provides a number of services.
- detailed ultrasound scanning for diagnosis or confirmation of fetal abnormality
- Fetal cardiac (heart) ultrasound scanning for screening and diagnosis of fetal heart abnormality
- Investigation, therapy and management of suspected or known fetal abnormality
- Monitoring and treatment of women with rhesus disease
- Multiple pregnancy clinic
- NT screening clinic
The timing of a referral is tailored to the individual need.
Referral reasons
- Previous pregnancy affected by fetal abnormality
- Suspected or diagnosed abnormality in current pregnancy
- Multiple pregnancy ( twins, triplets etc)
- Increased risk of fetal abnormality from screening tests
- Invasive procedure ( diagnostic or treatment)
Invasive procedures
- Amniocentesis
- Chrionic Villus Sampling (CVS)
- Fetal Blood Sampling (FBS)
- Fetal Blood/Platelet Transfusion
- Shunt/Aspiration
- Amnio drainage
- Amnio infusion
- Embryo reduction (fetocide)
When you attend the fetal medicine unit
For your detailed scan you may scanned by more than one person. The fetal medicine unit is involved in teaching and a trainee may be scanning with a member of the fetal medicine team.
The scan involved will be very detailed and in depth and the length of time it will take depends on the position of the fetus and the intricacy of the abnormality. During the scan the doctor is unlikely to speak as he/she is concentrating./radiology01.jpg)
Following the scan the findings will be discussed with you in detail. This will be your opportunity to ask any questions you may have. Your questions will be answered fully and honestly.
If a problem has been found or confirmed the team will discuss options/treatment/investigations with you. You may prefer time at home to think about the situation with your family. You will be given telephone numbers to contact the fetal medicine unit on.
Any relevant investigations can generally be performed at your initial visit.
As we have close links with other specialties then we will make referrals appropriate to your situation.
