The purpose of this program is to offer our patients all the techniques that are available today, sufficiently supported by clinical experience, for verifying that the fetus is forming and developing correctly before birth.
We began our work several years ago at Hospital Universitario HM Torrelodones, attending to all the patients whose pregnancy is monitored by our hospital's Gynaecology and Obstetrics Service, and also patients requiring monitoring by gynaecologists outside our hospital (approximately 1500 patients/year).
Become a mother at HM Hospitales
Prenatal Diagnosis Program Service Portfolio
Screening tests
These are carried out on all pregnant patients, with the aim of determining the risk of certain problems:
Ultrasound at 12 weeks
The aim of this is to establish fetal vitality, gestational age,
ULTRASOUND RISK SIGNS OF DOWN SYNDROME and other chromosomal disorders, and malformations that show up clearly on an ultrasound and can therefore be detected at such an early stage.
Ultrasound at 20 weeks
Also known as a
“morphology” ultrasound, the aim of this is to establish a high or low risk of fetal malformations, to determine the type of malformation if any, and to provide the parents with information about the prognosis and the treatment options, if any.
Specific prenatal diagnostic tests
Secondary markers study
This is for patients with an intermediate risk (1/100-1/1000) for
Down syndrome: it’s a study of other ultrasound signs at 12-13 weeks that can give a more accurate estimate of the risk of Down syndrome before the decision is made as to whether to perform a chromosomal study by means of amniocentesis or chorion biopsy.
Colour Doppler, Power Doppler and Pulsed Doppler ultrasounds
The aim of these is to study the blood flow in various arteries and veins in the fetus and/or the mother, or in the fetus’s heart: this information is used to complete the diagnosis of malformations or establish the degree of fetal well-being.
HM Hospitales ultrasounds
Fetal neurosonography
This is a detailed study of the fetus’s central nervous system, combining
2D and 3D ultrasounds, and abdominal and vaginal access. It is essential today if there are suspected problems with the fetus’s nervous system or neural tube defects. If necessary, we can carry out a Magnetic Resonance examination of the fetal central nervous system at Hospital Universitario HM Montepríncipe.
Second-opinion ultrasounds
These are for patients who have been diagnosed with a fetal problem at another center and want a second opinion. They are given a full report and referred back to their gynaecologist. Follow-up is offered when necessary, subject to the agreement of their gynaecologist.
Early study of the fetus’s heart (14-15 weeks)
This is especially recommended for patients with an increased risk of having a fetus with heart disease, based on their personal medical history or previous pregnancies. It is also for cases where the ultrasound at 12 weeks shows signs associated with a high risk of heart disease. It is always supplemented by an ultrasound at 17 weeks, carried out by a specialist cardiologist (Hospital Universitario HM Montepríncipe), and a new, detailed study at 20 weeks.
Amniocentesis
In most cases this is performed to
study the fetus's chromosomes. It is sometimes necessary when there are suspected fetal infections, metabolic diseases or genetic diseases that can’t be diagnosed with the karyotype alone. When the case requires, a chorion biopsy may be carried out at Hospital Universitario HM Montepríncipe, by the same group of specialists.
4D ultrasound
It is an incredibly unique way to get to know your baby. In our case, it includes a report of the fetus’s growth, a CD with photos and a DVD where you can watch your baby’s movements in 3D. If necessary, at least 4 attempts are made to obtain high-quality images.
All these services are carried out in a specialist clinic (separate from the regular pregnancy-monitoring clinic) with a high-resolution ultrasound machine (Voluson Pro with volumetric probes) and by specially trained gynaecologists.
Team of Prenatal Diagnosis Specialists
Coordinator
Dr Fernando Jiménez Mateo-Sidrón.
Doctors
Dr Juan Carlos Miranda.
Appointments or enquiries
Contact us
We will assist you at any hospital in Spain.