Frequently Asked Questions

Fetal medicine is a super-specialty focused on the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment planning of conditions affecting the fetus and mother during pregnancy. It includes advanced fetal ultrasound, prenatal screening, genetic counselling, fetal echocardiography, Doppler studies, invasive prenatal diagnosis and high-risk pregnancy surveillance.

Your obstetrician manages routine pregnancy care, delivery planning and maternal health. A fetal medicine specialist provides advanced assessment of the baby inside the womb, especially when a detailed scan, genetic risk assessment, fetal heart evaluation, Doppler monitoring, invasive testing or second opinion is needed. Dr. Kunda Shahane works alongside your treating obstetrician, not as a replacement for them.

Dr. Kunda Shahane, MBBS, MS (Obs & Gynae), FIFM, FMF (London), is a fetal medicine specialist and founder-director of Mayflower Fetal Medicine Centre and the Indian Institute of Fetal Medicine, Nagpur. She is recognised as Central India's first dedicated fetal medicine specialist, with nearly two decades of experience and more than 20,000 fetuses evaluated.

FMF refers to the Fetal Medicine Foundation, London. FMF certification indicates training and quality standards for first trimester screening and NT scan protocols. At Mayflower Clinic, NT scan and first trimester screening are performed using globally benchmarked fetal medicine principles.

The Indian Institute of Fetal Medicine is an academic and training initiative founded by Dr. Kunda Shahane at Mayflower Clinic, Nagpur. It trains doctors in fetal ultrasound, fetal medicine protocols and advanced prenatal diagnosis, strengthening Mayflower's role as both a clinical and academic centre.

Mayflower Clinic uses the GE Voluson Signature Expert, an advanced AI-enabled fetal ultrasound platform. Features such as SonoLyst AI, fetalHS, STIC, 4D imaging, Colour Doppler and Graphicflow support systematic imaging, clearer visualization, workflow consistency and specialist review.

No. Many patients visit for routine important pregnancy scans such as NT scan, anomaly scan, fetal echo, growth scan and Doppler. However, Mayflower Clinic is especially valuable when a pregnancy is high-risk, a scan finding needs expert review, genetic testing is being considered, or a fetal medicine second opinion is needed.

Common pregnancy scans include an early viability or dating scan, NT scan at 11 to 13 weeks 6 days, anomaly scan at 18 to 22 weeks, fetal echocardiography when indicated, and growth or Doppler scans in the second and third trimester. High-risk pregnancies may need a personalised schedule.

The NT scan is performed from 11 weeks to 13 weeks 6 days of pregnancy, when the crown-rump length is within the appropriate range. It helps assess early chromosomal risk and certain early fetal markers. If this window is missed, the same NT-based risk calculation cannot be performed later.

The anomaly scan, also called the target scan or 20-week scan, is usually done between 18 and 22 weeks. It is a detailed fetal structural survey covering the brain, spine, face, heart, abdomen, kidneys, limbs, placenta and amniotic fluid.

Fetal echocardiography is a dedicated fetal heart scan. It examines the baby's heart chambers, valves, outflow tracts, rhythm and blood flow in greater detail than the routine heart views in an anomaly scan. It is especially useful when there is a risk factor or suspected cardiac finding.

A Doppler scan assesses blood flow in selected maternal and fetal vessels such as the uterine arteries, umbilical artery, middle cerebral artery and ductus venosus. It helps monitor placental function, fetal growth restriction, fetal anaemia risk and high-risk pregnancy wellbeing.

A fetal growth scan measures the baby's head, abdomen and femur to estimate fetal weight and compare growth with expected charts. It also assesses amniotic fluid, placenta and fetal wellbeing. In high-risk pregnancies, growth scans are often combined with Doppler assessment.

Diagnostic ultrasound uses sound waves, not radiation. When performed for medical indications by a qualified professional, it is considered safe for mother and baby. At Mayflower Clinic, ultrasound is used responsibly and only for clinical assessment and pregnancy care.

It depends on the scan and gestational age. Early pregnancy and NT scans may need a moderately full bladder. Later scans often do not require the same preparation. When you book, the clinic team will guide you based on the scan type and weeks of pregnancy.

Timing varies. A simple scan may be shorter, while a detailed anomaly scan, fetal echo or complex second opinion may take longer because the doctor must obtain systematic views and explain the findings. Fetal position can also affect scan time.

A support person is usually helpful, especially for detailed scans or counselling visits. The clinic team may guide entry depending on space, privacy and clinical workflow. The scan remains a medical examination, so the doctor's assessment takes priority.

No. 3D or 4D images may help visualize selected surface structures such as the face or limbs, but they do not replace a systematic 2D medical anomaly scan. The clinical priority is detailed fetal anatomy assessment, not entertainment imaging.

Prenatal screening estimates the chance of certain chromosomal conditions or fetal concerns. Screening tests do not give a final diagnosis; they identify whether further counselling or diagnostic testing may be needed. Examples include first trimester combined screening and NIPT.

Screening tests estimate risk. Diagnostic tests such as CVS or amniocentesis analyse fetal genetic material and can confirm or exclude specific chromosomal or genetic conditions. Dr. Kunda Shahane explains when screening is enough and when diagnostic testing should be considered.

NIPT, or non-invasive prenatal testing, is a maternal blood test that assesses the chance of selected chromosomal conditions. It is highly informative for common trisomies, but it remains a screening test and does not replace diagnostic testing when a definite answer is required.

No. NIPT is a screening test, while amniocentesis is a diagnostic procedure. A low-risk NIPT result can be reassuring in many situations, but if ultrasound shows a structural anomaly or if a definitive genetic diagnosis is needed, amniocentesis or another diagnostic test may still be advised.

Genetic counselling helps parents understand screening results, family history, ultrasound findings, recurrence risk, available tests, limitations and next steps. It is not only about ordering a test; it is about making informed decisions with clarity and emotional support.

Soft markers are subtle ultrasound findings that may slightly modify the estimated risk of certain chromosomal conditions. A soft marker does not automatically mean the baby has a problem. It needs to be interpreted along with age, screening results, anomaly scan findings and sometimes NIPT or diagnostic testing.

Do not panic and do not make decisions based only on a report headline. Book a fetal medicine consultation. Dr. Kunda Shahane will review the report, scan findings, gestational age and family history, then explain whether NIPT, CVS, amniocentesis or detailed ultrasound follow-up is appropriate.

No test detects every possible condition. Genetic tests are selected based on the clinical question. Some tests look for common trisomies, some examine chromosomes in more detail, and others look for specific gene disorders. Counselling is essential so that parents understand what a test can and cannot answer.

Amniocentesis is an ultrasound-guided diagnostic procedure in which a small amount of amniotic fluid is sampled for genetic or infection-related testing when clinically indicated. It is usually performed after detailed counselling about benefits, limitations, alternatives and risks.

CVS, or chorionic villus sampling, is a diagnostic procedure where a small placental tissue sample is taken for genetic testing, usually earlier in pregnancy than amniocentesis. It is advised only when there is a clear indication and after counselling.

Cordocentesis, also called fetal blood sampling, is an advanced ultrasound-guided procedure where a fetal blood sample is obtained from the umbilical cord. It may be used in selected cases such as suspected fetal anaemia, infection or specific diagnostic needs.

No invasive procedure is risk-free. The risk depends on the procedure, gestational age, placental position, clinical indication and maternal-fetal condition. At Mayflower Clinic, every procedure is performed only after counselling, consent and ultrasound-guided planning by Dr. Kunda Shahane.

Intrauterine fetal blood transfusion is a specialised fetal therapy used in selected cases of significant fetal anaemia. Blood is transfused to the fetus under continuous ultrasound guidance. This is a highly specialised procedure performed only when the benefit outweighs the procedural risk.

Amnioreduction removes excess amniotic fluid in selected cases such as severe polyhydramnios. Amnioinfusion adds fluid in specific situations when clinically justified. Both are specialist procedures requiring careful assessment and counselling.

Fetal therapy is considered only in selected conditions where intervention before birth may improve monitoring, survival or pregnancy planning. Examples include severe fetal anaemia, selected fluid abnormalities, some twin complications and specific fetal conditions. Suitability is decided case by case.

A pregnancy may be high-risk because of maternal conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disease, autoimmune disease or heart disease; pregnancy-related issues such as pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction, placenta problems or short cervix; fetal anomalies; twins; IVF pregnancy; advanced maternal age; or a previous complicated pregnancy.

No. Mayflower Clinic provides specialist fetal medicine assessment and surveillance. Your primary obstetrician continues routine pregnancy care and delivery planning. The best model is collaborative care between your obstetrician and Dr. Kunda Shahane.

Frequency depends on the condition. Some pregnancies need growth and Doppler monitoring every 2 to 4 weeks. Others may need closer surveillance if there is fetal growth restriction, abnormal Doppler, twins, severe hypertension or another active concern. The schedule is personalised.

Fetal growth restriction means the baby is not growing as expected, often because of placental insufficiency or another maternal-fetal factor. Growth measurements, amniotic fluid and Doppler patterns are interpreted together to decide monitoring and delivery timing.

Twin pregnancies have higher risks of growth discordance, preterm birth and placental complications. Monochorionic twins need special surveillance for conditions such as twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. Fetal medicine monitoring helps identify early warning signs.

Yes. Previous stillbirth, recurrent pregnancy loss, fetal anomaly, severe growth restriction or early pre-eclampsia may justify early specialist review. Dr. Kunda Shahane can review past records, plan screening and suggest a personalised surveillance pathway.

IVF pregnancy often receives closer monitoring because of maternal age, twin risk, placental factors and underlying infertility history. Not every IVF pregnancy has complications, but structured fetal medicine surveillance can be reassuring and useful.

You can call 0712-669-2706, WhatsApp +91-8087471244, or use the Book Appointment page. For urgent high-risk referrals, WhatsApp is often the quickest way to share your concern and previous reports so the team can guide the next step.

Mayflower Clinic is open Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Sunday is closed. High-risk or urgent referral messages may be sent on WhatsApp, and the team will guide you about the appropriate next step.

Bring previous ultrasound reports and images, blood test reports, NIPT or double marker reports if done, antenatal card, referral note if any, previous pregnancy records, current medications and your obstetrician's notes. For complex cases, old records are very important.

Yes. You may WhatsApp relevant reports to the clinic before your appointment. This does not replace an in-person consultation or scan, but it helps the team understand your concern and guide the correct appointment type.

Most scan reports are provided the same day after the examination and counselling. Complex genetic, laboratory or referral-based tests may take longer depending on the test type and external laboratory processing time.

Counselling is available in English, Hindi and Marathi. Dr. Kunda Shahane and the team aim to explain findings in clear, compassionate language so that families understand the diagnosis, uncertainty and next steps.

No. Mayflower Clinic strictly follows the PCPNDT Act. Determination or disclosure of fetal sex is illegal in India and is not performed at this centre. All ultrasound services are provided only for lawful medical indications and fetal-maternal health assessment.

No. Website information is for general education only. It cannot diagnose your pregnancy, interpret your individual reports or replace a consultation with Dr. Kunda Shahane or your treating obstetrician. In an emergency, contact the nearest hospital immediately.