What is fetal medicine?

Fetal medicine is the branch of obstetric care focused on monitoring and assessing the health of your baby before birth. Dr. Pooja Chandak, who holds an FMF (UK) certification and a fellowship in Fetal Medicine, provides a complete pathway — from routine pregnancy scans (also called a baby scan or fetal scan) through to specialised chromosomal screening, diagnostic testing, and high-risk pregnancy monitoring, all at Cura Imaging & Gastro Clinic.

Which scans are done, and when?

  • Dating scan (7–12 weeks): confirms the pregnancy and estimated due date
  • NT scan / first-trimester combined screening (11–14 weeks): measures nuchal translucency, combined with blood markers, to assess early risk of chromosomal conditions such as Down syndrome
  • Anomaly scan (18–22 weeks): also called a Level 2 ultrasound, this is a detailed structural survey of the baby's brain, heart, spine, kidneys, limbs, and other organs
  • Growth scans (third trimester): monitor the baby's growth as the pregnancy progresses
  • Doppler studies: check blood flow to the baby, usually in higher-risk pregnancies
  • Fetal echocardiography: a dedicated, detailed scan of the baby's heart when extra assessment is needed

Screening for chromosomal conditions

Chromosomal conditions are individually rare, but together are common enough that screening is offered to every pregnancy. The most well-known are:

  • Down syndrome (Trisomy 21) — the most common, affecting roughly 1 in 700 births
  • Edwards syndrome (Trisomy 18) — a rarer, more severe condition, affecting roughly 1 in 5,000 births
  • Patau syndrome (Trisomy 13) — also rare and severe, affecting roughly 1 in 10,000 births

We offer a complete, layered pathway to screen for and, if needed, diagnose these conditions — see our dedicated Down syndrome screening page for a full explanation of how NT scan, NIPT, and diagnostic testing work together.

Diagnostic testing and genetic counseling

When screening suggests a higher risk, or when parents want complete certainty, we offer amniocentesis and CVS (Chorionic Villus Sampling) for a definitive diagnosis, along with genetic counseling to help you understand what any result means and what your options are — always non-directive, always at your own pace.

High-risk pregnancy and specialist monitoring

If your pregnancy needs closer attention — due to twin pregnancy, growth concerns, or other high-risk factors — Dr. Chandak provides the more frequent scanning and Doppler monitoring these situations need, working alongside your obstetrician.

How to prepare

A full bladder is often helpful for very early scans, as it gives a clearer view. Later in pregnancy, no special preparation is usually needed.

What happens during the scan

Gel is applied to the abdomen, and a probe is moved gently over the area. In very early pregnancy, an internal scan may occasionally give a clearer view. The scan is painless. Dr. Chandak checks the baby's heartbeat, measurements, and, depending on the stage, the developing organs.

What happens after the scan

There is no downtime. Images and findings are discussed with you, along with any recommended follow-up.

Is it safe for the baby?

Yes. Ultrasound uses sound waves, not radiation, and is considered safe at every stage of pregnancy.

A note on 3D Sonography & 4D sonography 3D sonography and 4D sonography create a more lifelike, still or moving image of the baby's face and movements. These are mainly used for bonding and visualization rather than as the main diagnostic tool — the standard anomaly scan remains the key scan for checking the baby's structural health.
PCPNDT Act compliance Sex determination and disclosure of the fetus's sex are strictly prohibited by law and are not performed at this centre. All our fetal medicine and ultrasound services are used exclusively for medical diagnosis and monitoring your baby's wellbeing. Read our full PCPNDT Act compliance statement.

Frequently asked questions

Most pregnancies need a dating scan, an NT scan, an anomaly scan, and growth scans in the third trimester. Dr. Chandak will guide you on the exact schedule for your pregnancy.

The NT scan (11–14 weeks) screens for chromosomal conditions using a measurement at the back of the baby's neck plus blood markers. The anomaly scan (18–22 weeks) is a full structural survey of the baby's anatomy. Both matter, and neither replaces the other.

Soft markers are minor ultrasound findings — such as an echogenic bowel, a choroid plexus cyst, or mild kidney swelling (pyelectasis) — that are seen slightly more often in babies with a chromosomal condition, but are also frequently found in completely healthy babies. An isolated soft marker in a low-risk pregnancy usually needs no further action; Dr. Chandak will explain what it means in the context of your other results.

Yes. Ultrasound uses sound waves, not radiation, and is considered safe throughout pregnancy.

Yes, growth scans specifically measure your baby's size and compare it to expected ranges for that stage of pregnancy.

4D sonography shows a moving, lifelike image of the baby, mainly for visualization. It is optional and does not replace the standard anomaly scan for checking the baby's health.