Fetal Medicine

What we offer

The NNUH Fetal Medicine department is led by highly skilled specialist consultants and specialist midwives, who are here to support you through diagnosis and treatment options, when complications arise during pregnancy. The team aim to provide the highest standard of care in a professional, calm and supportive environment.

The Fetal Medicine team offer individualised care to families for a range of reasons:

  • When a condition is suspected on ultrasound-either a structural condition such as a cleft lip or a cardiac condition or significant growth problems
  • Pregnant people who have had a baby with a condition in the past or where there is a family history of a genetic condition.
  • Pregnant people who have an increased chance of chromosome or genetic conditions such as Down syndrome or sickle cell disease following a screening test result
  • Pregnant people who have had certain infections during pregnancy or developed specific blood group antibodies

Pregnant people who have an increased chance that the placenta may have attached too firmly to the muscle layer of the uterus (abnormally invasive placenta)

How will I be referred?

The Fetal Medicine team understand you may feel worried if the sonographer suspects something unusual when carrying out your scan. You will be referred to the Fetal Medicine team as soon as possible. The Fetal Medicine team will contact you by telephone to organise your appointment.

The Fetal Medicine team follow national standards that recommend the offer of an appointment within 5 working days. The team do their best to see families within 3 working days.

If you have not heard from the Fetal Medicine team after 1 working day, please contact the team on 01603 287949.

The Fetal Medicine team accepts referrals from community midwives, obstetricians and the clinical genetics team and can offer telephone advise when appropriate.

Who will I see?

A highly skilled specialist Fetal Medicine consultant will scan your baby alongside a specialist midwife who will support you during your appointment.

Depending on the situation you may be offered the opportunity to meet with the wider team. This includes neonatologists (doctors involved in the care of newborn babies), paediatric surgeons, specialist neonatal nurses or the specialist bereavement team.

NNUH is a teaching hospital, often there will be junior doctors or students observing the Fetal Medicine clinics. You will be asked if you feel comfortable with the number of people present in the room.

Occasionally the Fetal Medicine team will suggest further referral for more specialist advice. The Fetal Medicine team have a close relationship with Great Ormond Street Hospital, the Fetal Medicine Unit at University College Hospital in London and the Clinical Genetics team based at Addenbrookes Hospital.

When does the clinic run?

Fetal Medicine Clinics are held most Monday to Friday mornings and Tuesday afternoons.

Location

Fetal Medicine Unit, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Colney Lane, Level 3, West Block (near Antenatal Clinic) Norwich NR4 7UY

Contact details

Fetal Medicine Specialist Midwives: 01603 287949 Monday to Friday 8-17.30hrs (not including bank holidays

Fetal Medicine Secretaries: 01603 286790 Monday to Friday 8-16.00hrs (not including bank holidays)

If the Fetal Medicine team are unable to answer the telephone, please leave a voicemail message and the team will return your call as soon as possible.

External links and videos