Mediclinic Baby
Maternal fetal medicine
Subspecialist care for complex and high-risk pregnancies in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, delivered by internationally trained maternal fetal medicine consultants.
Advanced fetal and pregnancy care
The Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) Unit at Mediclinic Middle East provides subspecialist care for complex and high-risk pregnancies across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. Our unit is staffed by internationally trained and licensed MFM consultants, delivering evidence-based screening, diagnosis, and management in line with global standards set by the Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF), ISUOG, and SMFM.
We operate as an FMF-certified screening centre using the Astraia Fetal Medicine reporting system, ensuring accurate, standardised, and quality-assured prenatal risk assessment.
Our services cover the full spectrum of maternal-fetal medicine, from preconception counselling and early risk prediction to advanced fetal imaging, invasive diagnostics, and specialised fetal interventions, all delivered in-house by our subspecialist team.
The Maternal-Fetal Medicine Unit is available at Mediclinic Middle East hospitals in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.
Screening and fetal assessment
First-trimester screening and risk assessment
- We provide FMF-certified combined first-trimester screening between 11 and 14 weeks, including:
- Nuchal translucency measurement with FMF-accredited quality assurance
- Combined screening for trisomy 21, 18, and 13 using maternal biochemistry and ultrasound markers
- Pre-eclampsia risk assessment using the FMF algorithm (uterine artery Doppler, MAP, PlGF, PAPP-A)
- Preterm birth risk evaluation
- Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) coordination and counselling
- Early fetal anatomical assessment
- This structured approach enables early identification of high-risk pregnancies and supports timely preventive interventions.
Detailed fetal anatomy scan assessment
- Between 18 and 22 weeks, we perform a comprehensive fetal anatomy scan following ISUOG and AIUM standards, including:
- Brain, face, spine, heart, chest, abdomen, kidneys, and limbs
- Placental location and morphology
- Cervical length assessment
- Uterine artery Doppler for placental function
- When abnormalities are identified, we provide detailed counselling, coordinate genetic testing, and plan multidisciplinary postnatal care.
Fetal echocardiography
- We offer specialised fetal cardiac assessment for pregnancies at increased risk, including:
- Segmental cardiac anatomy evaluation
- Outflow tracts and three-vessel trachea view
- Cardiac Doppler and function assessment
- Fetal rhythm evaluation
- Early diagnosis enables delivery planning in centres with appropriate neonatal cardiac support.
Fetal growth surveillance and FGR management
- We provide structured, evidence-based monitoring for fetal growth restriction (FGR), including:
- Serial fetal biometry using WHO growth charts
- Umbilical artery, MCA, and cerebroplacental ratio Doppler
- Ductus venosus Doppler and advanced monitoring for preterm FGR
- Uterine artery Doppler assessments
- Flt-1/PlGF testing when clinically indicated
- Individualised delivery timing based on Doppler and gestation
- We differentiate between SGA and true FGR using international criteria to ensure appropriate management.
Complex and high-risk pregnancy management
Maternal medicine for complex pregnancies
- Our maternal medicine team provides specialised care for women with pre-existing medical conditions and pregnancy-related complications, integrating obstetric and medical expertise.
- Pre-existing conditions include:
- Chronic hypertension
- Diabetes (pre-gestational and gestational)
- Autoimmune diseases (SLE, APS, rheumatoid arthritis)
- Thrombophilia
- Renal disease
- Cardiac disease in pregnancy
- Thyroid disorders
- Epilepsy
- Obesity and metabolic syndrome
- Pregnancy-related conditions include:
- Pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome
- Gestational diabetes
- Intrahepatic cholestasis
- Placenta praevia and accreta spectrum
- Venous thromboembolism
- Anaemia in pregnancy
- Recurrent pregnancy loss
- All care is coordinated with relevant subspecialties to ensure comprehensive management.
High-risk and complex pregnancy management
- We manage a wide range of complex pregnancy conditions, including:
- Multiple pregnancies with chorionicity-based monitoring
- Twin complications (TTTS, sFGR, TAPS)
- Fetal anaemia and intrauterine transfusion
- Preterm birth risk management
- Pregnancy after previous adverse outcomes
- Fetal structural abnormalities
- Alloimmunisation (Rh and other antibodies)
Procedures and fetal therapy
Invasive diagnostic procedures
- We provide the full range of ultrasound-guided diagnostic procedures:
- Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) from 11 weeks
- Amniocentesis from 15 weeks
- Cordocentesis (fetal blood sampling)
- All procedures include counselling, real-time ultrasound guidance, and post-procedure monitoring.
Therapeutic fetal procedures
- Our in-house fetal therapies include:
- Intrauterine blood transfusion
- Amnioreduction
- Therapeutic amnioinfusion
- Fetal shunt placement
- Intrauterine vascular procedures
- Cord occlusion in selected cases
Fetal surgery
- We offer advanced fetal surgical interventions performed by our subspecialist team:
- Fetoscopic laser photocoagulation for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS)
- Prenatal repair of spina bifida (myelomeningocele)
- Fetoscopic endoluminal tracheal occlusion (FETO) for congenital diaphragmatic hernia
- These procedures are offered based on strict clinical criteria and international evidence to improve outcomes.
Counselling and continuity of care
Preconception and recurrence risk counselling
- We support women planning pregnancy by:
- Reviewing medical and obstetric history
- Identifying recurrence risks
- Optimising chronic conditions
- Planning preventive strategies (aspirin, progesterone, cerclage)
- Coordinating genetic counselling
Genetic counselling and testing
- We provide access to comprehensive prenatal genetic services:
- Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT)
- Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA)
- Targeted gene panels and whole exome sequencing
- Carrier screening
- All results are explained clearly with personalised management plans.
Continuity of care and coordination
- Structured reports shared with referring physicians
- Defined follow-up and surveillance plans
- Advanced delivery planning
- Neonatal team coordination when required
