You have taken a pregnancy test, and it is positive. You have just found out that you are pregnant.

It is exciting. You are not sure where to begin.

We can help and support you through this journey and ensure the right care is given to you throughout this exciting stage.

Obstetrics and gynecology specialists at Jumeirah American Clinic are trained to provide the highest standard of care for mothers and babies during this time.

What is fetal medicine?

Fetal medicine is a branch of medicine that focuses on managing health risks and concerns of the mother and fetus before, during and immediately after pregnancy.

It includes the assessment of fetal growth and wellbeing during pregnancy, the maintenance of fetal health and the diagnosis of fetal illnesses and abnormalities.

It can also be referred to as specialized care given to a mother going through a high-risk pregnancy. Fetal medicine aims to improve the health of pregnant women and their babies. This is done through early assessment of risk and diagnosis of congenital anomalies and defects. Specialists carry out screenings to rule out any complications or find out more about the fetus, so that the mother and her baby are given the right care.

When is a pregnancy considered high-risk?

A pregnancy is considered high-risk when there are potential problems and complications that could affect the health of the mother, the baby, or both.

High-risk pregnancies require intervention by a specialist doctor to ensure the best outcome for the mother and baby.

What are the factors that make a pregnancy high-risk?

The following are some risk factors a pregnancy and fetus may be at risk.

  • Increasing maternal age
  • Increasing use of assisted reproductive techniques
  • Prevalence of genetic disorders
  • Pre-existing maternal or medical disorders such as diabetes, high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, autoimmune disease or sexually transmitted diseases
  • Infections in pregnancy/medical conditions occurring during pregnancy such as premature labor, multiple births, preeclampsia, fetal problems, etc.
  • Obesity and dietary disorders
  • Use of certain medications in pregnancy
How can we help you?

The majority of births are normal, except for 3-4% of babies that have abnormalities resulting in physical or mental disability, most of which are due to a combination of environmental and genetic factors.

The Fetal Medicine department of Jumeirah American Clinic is home to a wide range of technologically advanced tools and machinery for effective diagnosis of birth defects and fetal anomalies and management of complicated pregnancies through a multidisciplinary approach.

What are the scans and tests that we do?
  • Ultrasound scans: most important tool throughout your journey as a mother to monitor the healthy growth of your baby.
  1. 6-10 Weeks – Viability Scan
  2. 11-13 Weeks – Nuchal Translucency Scan
  3. 20-24 Weeks – Fetal Anomaly Scan
  4. Cardiac Scan
  5. Cervical Scan
  6. Wellbeing Scan
  • Noninvasive Prenatal tests (NIPT) to screen chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y at 10 weeks of pregnancy.
  • Invasive tests
  1. Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)
  2. Analysis of Amniotic Fluid (Amniocentesis)
How can you prevent pregnancy complications?

A preconception test is recommended to ensure you are in good health before becoming pregnant. During this appointment, the doctor would likely recommend steps you can take to reduce the risk of certain problems, such as:

  • Taking at least 400 micrograms of folic acid daily, before and throughout your pregnancy term
  • Getting proper immunizations/vaccinations
  • Eating a healthy diet and maintaining proper weight, within your normal body mass index (BMI)
  • Getting regular exercise and staying physically active, unless advised otherwise by your doctor
  • Avoiding cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs (except for medications approved by your doctor)
  • Seeing your doctor regularly