Fetal Procedures

Amniocentesis

Amniocentesis is the procedure where fluid around the baby in the womb (amniotic fluid) is aspirated by inserting a very thin needle in mother’s abdomen (like taking a blood sample from the arm). The procedure is associated with a small risk of miscarriage (0.1%) above the background risk.

Chorion Villous Sampling (CVS)

CVS is the procedure where sample form placenta is obtained by inserting a very thin needle in mother’s abdomen. The procedure is associated with a small risk of miscarriage (0.1%) above the background risk.

Fetal Reduction

In cases of more than two fetuses, risk for preterm delivery and associated morbidity and mortality is greatly increased, and fetal reduction gives the chance to reduce the pregnancy to twins. Procedure associated risk of miscarriage is 5%, but it improves intact survival and overall take home baby rate.

Cordocentesis

Cordocentesis is done to obtain fetal blood in cases of fetal anaemia, risk of haemoglobinopathy / metabolic disorders, at times for fetal karyotype if amniotic fluid is scanty.

Shunt Insertion (Bladder And Thorax)

In case of bladder outlet obstruction in fetus, selected cases can be shunted to preserve renal morphology. Thoracic shunts are used in case fetal hyrothorax but no other obvious structural malformation / CCAM.

Amniodrainage

Involves aspirating excess of fluid in cases of polyhydramnios to reduce maternal discomfort or prevent premature delivery.

Amnioinfusion

Is done in cases of severe oligoamnios, to improve the visualization of fetal anatomy.

Intrauterine Transfusion

In cases of fetal anaemia, like, Rh isoimmunisation; cross-matched blood is given to the fetus in – utero.

Radiofrequency Ablation

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive procedure that may be preformed in utero for Monochorionic Monoamniotic (MCDA) twin in which one fetus is very sick due to any anomaly, selective fetal growth restriction (s FGR), deformed twin like TRAP is selectively reduced using RF thereby places other baby from danger of death or permanent brain injury.