Skip to main content
Maternal-Fetal Medicine

The baby inside the womb is a patient too

There are questions a mother can only answer by looking inside. Maternal-fetal medicine is the obstetrics sub-specialty devoted to exactly that: evaluating the baby before birth, monitoring the mother's health throughout pregnancy, and anticipating problems while they can still be solved. These are the studies that make it up, explained without jargon.

  • Weeks 11 to 14

    First-trimester anomaly scan

    We measure nuchal translucency, the nasal bone and ductus venosus flow. In a single visit we can estimate the risk of chromosomal conditions and preeclampsia, while there is still time to act.

    ISUOG guideline

  • Weeks 20 to 24

    Second-trimester anomaly scan

    An organ-by-organ tour of your baby's entire body: heart, brain, spine, kidneys, hands and feet. It is the scan that detects the vast majority of structural malformations.

    ISUOG guideline

  • Second and third trimester

    Fetal profile & neurosonography

    Your baby's face before you meet them, plus a detailed evaluation of the brain: corpus callosum, cerebellum, ventricles. Emotion and medicine on the same screen.

    ISUOG guideline · 1ISUOG guideline · 2

  • From week 20

    Fetal Doppler

    It shows how blood flows through the umbilical artery and the middle cerebral artery. Weeks in advance, it tells us whether your baby is growing comfortably or needs help.

    ISUOG guideline

  • Throughout pregnancy

    Maternal-fetal hemodynamic profile

    It studies the uterine arteries and the mother's cardiovascular adaptation to pregnancy. It allows us to anticipate preeclampsia and growth restriction before the first symptom appears. The reference guideline covers uterine artery Doppler and pre-eclampsia screening.

    ISUOG guideline

  • When diagnosis requires it

    Amniocentesis & cordocentesis

    When a definitive answer is needed, amniotic fluid or cord blood is obtained under continuous ultrasound guidance. Millimetric precision for diagnoses that change decisions.

    ISUOG guideline

When is a maternal-fetal evaluation recommended?

  • High-risk pregnancy: hypertension, gestational diabetes or autoimmune conditions.
  • A suspected or confirmed malformation on a previous ultrasound.
  • Fetal growth restriction or concerns about the baby's well-being.
  • Multiple pregnancy (twins or more).
  • History of preeclampsia, pregnancy loss or preterm birth.
  • Advanced maternal age or an abnormal genetic screening result.

References

The studies described on this page follow the clinical practice guidelines of ISUOG (International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology). The content here is an original elaboration; the original text and figures belong to their authors and publisher.

  1. Bilardo CM, et al. ISUOG Practice Guidelines (updated): performance of 11–14-week ultrasound scan. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2023;61(1):127–143. https://doi.org/10.1002/uog.26106
  2. Salomon LJ, et al. ISUOG Practice Guidelines (updated): performance of the routine mid-trimester fetal ultrasound scan. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2022;59(6):840–856. https://doi.org/10.1002/uog.24888
  3. Malinger G, et al. ISUOG Practice Guidelines (updated): sonographic examination of the fetal central nervous system. Part 1: performance of screening examination and indications for targeted neurosonography. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2020;56(3):476–484. https://doi.org/10.1002/uog.22145
  4. Paladini D, et al. ISUOG Practice Guidelines (updated): sonographic examination of the fetal central nervous system. Part 2: performance of targeted neurosonography. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2021;57(4):661–671. https://doi.org/10.1002/uog.23616
  5. Bhide A, et al. ISUOG Practice Guidelines (updated): use of Doppler velocimetry in obstetrics. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2021;58(2):331–339. https://doi.org/10.1002/uog.23698
  6. Sotiriadis A, et al. ISUOG Practice Guidelines: role of ultrasound in screening for and follow-up of pre-eclampsia. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2019;53(1):7–22. https://doi.org/10.1002/uog.20105
  7. Ghi T, et al. ISUOG Practice Guidelines: invasive procedures for prenatal diagnosis. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2016;48(2):256–268. https://doi.org/10.1002/uog.15945

Do you have questions about your pregnancy?

Dr. Kristhy Moreno sees gynecology and obstetrics patients in Caracas, near Plaza Venezuela, by appointment. Send her a WhatsApp message and find the right time together.

Book a consultation in Caracas

This page is for informational purposes and does not replace a medical consultation. Whether each study is indicated depends on the individual evaluation of each pregnancy.