Learn about Foetal Medicine Treatment in India — how it works, who it is for, recovery timelines, and what to expect before and after surgery. Compare hospitals and doctors experienced in Foetal Medicine and request assistance for cost estimates or appointments.

About Foetal Medicine

Fetal Medicine is a specialized branch of obstetrics focused on the comprehensive care of the fetus as a patient. It involves advanced prenatal screening, diagnosis, and management of fetal conditions. A Fetal Medicine specialist, or Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) specialist, uses sophisticated ultrasound imaging, fetal echocardiography, and invasive diagnostic procedures like amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS) to assess fetal health, growth, and development. This field is crucial for detecting congenital anomalies, genetic disorders, and complications like fetal growth restriction early in pregnancy. It enables parents and healthcare teams to make informed decisions, plan for specialized care at birth, and, when possible, perform life-saving in-utero interventions. The goal is to optimize outcomes for both mother and baby through a multidisciplinary approach.

Key Highlights

    Provides detailed, high-resolution imaging of the fetus for accurate assessment.Enables early detection of a wide range of congenital anomalies and genetic conditions.Allows for prenatal counseling, giving parents time to understand options and prepare.Facilitates planning for specialized delivery and immediate neonatal care if needed.Some conditions can be treated with minimally invasive fetal surgery while still in the womb.Involves a collaborative, multidisciplinary team for comprehensive care planning./ul

Who is this surgery for?

  • Advanced maternal age (typically 35 years or older).
  • Abnormal results from routine prenatal screening tests (e.g., first-trimester combined test, quadruple test, NIPT).
  • Family history of genetic disorders or previous child with a congenital anomaly.
  • Suspected fetal anomaly detected on a standard ultrasound.
  • Complications like fetal growth restriction, abnormal amniotic fluid levels, or twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS).
  • Maternal conditions like diabetes, autoimmune disorders, or infections that can affect the fetus.

How to prepare

  • A detailed medical and family history review with the specialist.
  • Discussion of the specific procedure's purpose, benefits, and potential risks (informed consent).
  • For ultrasound scans, typically no special preparation is needed, though a full bladder may be requested for early scans.
  • For invasive procedures like amniocentesis, blood tests may be done to check for infections or blood type.
  • Psychological preparation and counseling to understand the possible outcomes.

Risks & possible complications

  • For diagnostic procedures like amniocentesis or CVS: slight risk of miscarriage, infection, or fluid leakage.
  • Potential for anxiety or emotional distress from receiving uncertain or difficult news.
  • Findings may sometimes be inconclusive, requiring further testing.
  • Rarely, procedural complications like injury to the fetus or mother.
  • For fetal surgeries, risks are higher and specific to the intervention (e.g., preterm labor, membrane rupture).

Recovery & hospital stay

  • For non-invasive scans and assessments, there is typically no recovery time; normal activities can be resumed immediately.
  • After invasive procedures like amniocentesis, rest for 24-48 hours is usually advised, avoiding strenuous activity.
  • Monitoring for signs of complications such as fever, severe cramping, vaginal bleeding, or fluid leakage is essential.
  • Follow-up appointments are scheduled to discuss test results and the ongoing management plan.
  • Emotional support and counseling are integral parts of post-procedure care.
  • checked Typical hospital stay: 0 days (outpatient) to several weeks for complex fetal surgery
  • checked Expected recovery time: 1-2 days for diagnostic procedures; variable for surgical interventions

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are considering foetal medicine in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.

Procedure cost in other countries

Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for foetal medicine compare across other countries where we have data.

Country Estimated cost range Typical stay Recovery time View details
India INR 5 Thousand – 80 Thousand 0 days (outpatient) to several weeks for complex fetal surgery ~ 1-2 days for diagnostic procedures; variable for surgical interventions Know More
Turkey TRY 17.5 Thousand – 280 Thousand 0 days (outpatient) to several weeks for complex fetal surgery ~ 1-2 days for diagnostic procedures; variable for surgical interventions Know More
PATIENT REVIEW

David Shah, 38, is a software...

David Shah, 38, is a software engineer and first-time father-to-be. His wife, Priya, is 20 weeks pregnant. Their routine anomaly scan revealed soft markers for Down syndrome, including an absent nasal bone and an increased nuchal fold measurement. The couple, who had struggled with infertility for years, were devastated and anxious. Their obstetrician recommended a detailed consultation with a fetal medicine specialist, who explained the findings and suggested a diagnostic amniocentesis to obtain a definitive chromosomal analysis. The procedure was performed under ultrasound guidance; David held Priya's hand throughout. The two-week wait for results was agonizing, filled with 'what-ifs'. The results finally came back normal, showing no chromosomal abnormalities. The immense relief was overwhelming, transforming their anxiety into cautious joy. They now attend regular growth scans with a renewed sense of hope, though the experience has left them with a profound appreciation for the fragility and resilience of life.

Fetal Medicines for Foetal Medicine

Explore experienced fetal medicines who regularly perform foetal medicine and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.

Dr. Deepti Mittal
  • 8 Years Experience
  • Fetal Medicine
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 900
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Baner, Pune

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Surekha Balaji
  • 10 Years Experience
  • Fetal Medicine
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1500
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Kanakapura Road, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Ashutosh Gupta
  • 24 Years Experience
  • Fetal Medicine
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1500
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Artemis Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. (Brig.) Anil  Khetarpal
  • 33 Years Experience
  • Fetal Medicine
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1500
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Artemis Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Laxmi Narayan Sahoo
  • Years Experience
  • Fetal Medicine
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 800

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar

OPD-desk synced • Updated