Selective reduction is a surgical procedure by which multiple gestations with more than 3 fetuses are transformed into twin gestations (2 viable fetuses). This procedure is performed only after thorough assessment of the pregnancy in combination with extensive counseling of the parents. This procedure runs the risk of total pregnancy loss, and is performed only when it is expected to ...

As many as 30% of all fetuses are born with their umbilical cords wrapped around their necks, and in most cases there is no evidence of any harmful effects. On the other hand, most of the fetuses that sustain damage during labor do so because of cord compression. This is often caused by a variety of reasons, the most common ...

A contraction stress test is conducted in order to evaluate the amount of placental reserve available to the fetus. The placental reserve signifies the placentaÕs Òback-upÓ capacity in case it is put under heavy strain by the fetus or mother. By putting the placenta under artificial strain through this test, we are able to observe how it would react if ...

Cardiac echo is the examination of the fetal heart using ultrasound imaging. This involves different modalities including 2D gray scale, color Doppler, pulsed wave Doppler and M-mode imaging. Fetal echo can detect up to 90% of major cardiac defects if done by an experienced physician. However, there are certain cardiac defects, which cannot be detected prenatally, and therefore a negative ...

NT in combination with pregnancy associated plasma protein (P-APP) and the free beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (§-hCG) constitutes the Ultra-screen test, which is used to detect fetuses with Down syndrome. The accuracy of the test is 90% and is the most effective test available for the first trimester. Performed between 11 and 14 weeks gestation, the Ultra-screen test ...

Nuchal translucency is the thickening of a babyÕs neck, specifically in the back. This is usually noted between the 11th and 14th week of pregnancy and is the result of water accumulation under the baby's skin. The degree of thickness, or water accumulation, correlates directly with the probability of Down syndrome in the neonate. Therefore, as the volume of water ...

HUM involves the use of a special monitoring device, which monitors pregnant women while they remain at home. The monitoring device is used to record contractions, and if there are more than 4 contractions per hour, the patient goes to the emergency room for further assessment. HUM has not been shown to prevent prematurity in randomized clinical trials; in fact ...

CVS is a procedure by which we obtain a small amount of tissue from the fetal placenta in order to test the baby' chromosomes in patients who are at risk of having a baby with Down syndrome or other genetic abnormalities. CVS is the safest procedure available at 12 weeks and the only procedure that can be performed safely before ...

PUBS is a procedure in which we obtain fetal blood directly from the umbilical vein. Fetal blood is sometimes needed to assess the fetal health. The most common reason for this procedure today is for the assessment of fetal anemia and for fetal transfusion.