The Leeds Fetal Medicine Unit serves a population of 50,000 people in Yorkshire and the Humber and is one of only 15 specialised fetal medicine centres across the country. We receive about 1000 new referrals each year and carry out around 3500 scans.
We work with consultants and nurse specialists from clinical genetics, neonatology and paediatric services including surgery, cardiology, neurosurgery, neurology and nephrology.
Many of the specialties are located on the LGI site which means that, if your baby requires expert care in hospital after birth, you will be cared for within the same hospital.
Our team of Specialist Fetal Medicine Midwives support patients and their families through their fetal medicine journey. We recognise that this journey can sometimes be difficult and emotionally challenging, therefore provide specialist information and advice to ensure you feel supported whilst under our care.
In our clinics we:
- Provide a diagnosis of a fetal anomaly or condition – when present
- Provide detailed information about the diagnosis and likely outcome
- Offer a range of diagnostic tests to help make a diagnosis and inform decision making
- Liaise with and refer to other specialists, when needed
- Advise couples of their choices and provide ongoing support during the pregnancy, where appropriate
- Work with referring hospitals to enable care to be provided close to home, where appropriate
- Monitor certain babies throughout pregnancy and in some cases arrange delivery at the LGI, when the baby is likely to require specialist care after birth
- Undertake interventional and therapeutic procedures, such a fetal blood transfusions
- Assess multiple pregnancies (twins and triplets) for possible complications
Most patients are able to return to their local hospital for ongoing care during pregnancy, often only needing to be seen in FMU once or twice. Some patients will need to return to the FMU on a regular basis for monitoring until the time that their baby is born.
It is important that you maintain contact with your community midwife and local maternity team throughout your pregnancy to ensure you and your baby receive appropriate antenatal care.