Our fetal medicine unit consist of a specialist team made up of fetal medicine consultants and specialist midwives. We offer pregnancy care when there is a concern for the unborn baby. Women may be referred to a tertiary unit if more specialised care in pregnancy is required.

Our fetal medicine units diagnose and manage:

  • chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down's syndrome, Edward’s syndrome and Patau’s syndrome
  • diagnostic invasive testing by chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis, to check for genetic or chromosomal conditions
  • genetic conditions and genetic syndromes
  • structural fetal anomalies
  • fetal conditions requiring surgical follow-up after birth
  • detection of fetal cardiac anomalies
  • fetal growth restriction with the use of ultrasound doppler examination
  • high-risk multiple pregnancies
  • non-invasive prenatal testing for women with a higher chance screening result
  • pregnancies affected by red cell antibody incompatibility

Most pregnant women give birth to their baby after 37 weeks of pregnancy. This is called ‘term birth’; however, a small proportion of women  (1 in 10) go into premature labour and give birth to their baby before 37 weeks of pregnancy. 

If a baby arrives just a few weeks early then the outcome is generally excellent, but if they arrive a few months early or even earlier, then the outlook can be very different.

The preterm birth clinic is run by specialist midwives and doctors and is specifically for pregnant women who are at risk of premature labour. We support women during their pregnancy by close monitoring and providing treatment to try to prevent premature labour. 

Your midwife will make a referral to the pre-term birth clinic at your first antenatal appointment if necessary.

What does perinatal mean?

Perinatal is the period of time during pregnancy and up to a child’s first birthday. During this time any woman can be vulnerable to experiencing emotional difficulties and need extra support. We are able to offer extra support to you and your family if you are likely to, or are experiencing problems during this time. We can help you to have a safe and healthy pregnancy and support you after the birth of baby.

What help can I get?

We support Hertfordshire families experiencing or at risk of developing emotional problems during the perinatal period. Without this support, it could be a challenging and unsettling period for you, your baby and family. Support can be provided from the beginning of pregnancy until your child’s first birthday and is available for mums and partners too. Pre-conception counselling is also available. This is for women who have previously had a serious mental illness and want to get advice about managing risks and treatment, in a future pregnancy, before they become pregnant. Support available includes:

  • Consultation with a specialist doctor
  • Advice about medication and its safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding
  • Specialist psychological therapies
  • Additional support from specialist perinatal workers
  • Birth care planning
  • Pre-conception counselling.

How can I get referred?

A professional (such as your GP, midwife, health visitor, Family Centre staff or similar) can refer you to the right person. It's important not to worry if a professional would like you to receive our support. We are here to help you, your baby and family have the best experience; sometimes this requires getting a little extra help. We want to keep you well and know that acting early helps prevent problems developing later on.

What will happen after I have been referred?

After you have been referred, our specialist perinatal professional will phone to discuss how you are feeling and arrange for you to have an assessment with a professional or may advise on alternative support most suitable for you. We can offer you care to meet your needs, alongside other health professionals who may be involved such as your midwife, obstetrician, GP or health visitor.

Depending on your situation, you may have your assessment in an antenatal clinic, in an outpatient clinic or in a community venue. Occasionally you may have an assessment in your home.

If you have previously suffered the following, it is likely you will be offered support:

  • Previous episodes of post-partum psychosis
  • Postnatal depression or anxiety (previous or current)
  • Previous or current mental health issues prior to or during pregnancy
  • Previous birth trauma / PTSD
  • Strong family history of mental health problems in the perinatal period.

Our Early pregnancy unit is an appointment-based ultrasound scan unit providing ultrasound scans for women in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Criteria for referral

  • A positive urine pregnancy test on the day of referral is required. If a confirmed urine pregnancy test has not been done, the scan request may be rejected.
  • 6-12 weeks + 6 days pregnant with vaginal bleeding
  • 5 weeks + 4 days to 12 weeks + 6 days pregnant with abdominal pain
  • Previous ectopic pregnancy (from 6 weeks + 3 days to 12 weeks + 6 days)
  • Two or more previous miscarriages (from 8-12 weeks + 6 days)
  • Previous molar pregnancy (8-12 weeks + 6 days)

Tel: 01923 217831

The unit is open Monday – Friday 08:50 - 16:30, Saturday 10:00 - 16:00

The Gynae Day Assessment Unit is a doctor-run service for women who present with:

  • Emergency gynaecological conditions
  • Pregnant women experiencing urgent or emergency conditions up to 18 weeks of pregnancy, including miscarriages, ectopic and molar pregnancies.

Please note, the Gynae Day Assessment Unit does not include an ultrasound service and a separate ultrasound scan referral may be required.

Telephone: 01923 217344.

Open Monday: Friday 09:00 – 17:00

The maternal medicine team provides pregnancy care for those with pre-existing or pregnancy related medical conditions. 

It is comprised of a multidisciplinary team of doctors, specialists and midwives with the aim of providing the best standard of care for birthing people and their babies.

Our specialist maternity day assessment unit, is run by two experienced midwives and is intended for women who may require additional care, monitoring or treatment during their pregnancy and birth./p>

The reasons you may need to attend the day assessment unit include:

  • having high blood pressure in pregnancy
  • you are having severe itching during pregnancy
  • Administration of steroids if you are at risk from pre-term birth
  • You require Anti D

If you have any concerns or would like to know more, you can contact the maternity day assessment unit on 01923 217851 and our team will be happy to help you.

MDAU is situated on the ground floor of Watford General Maternity Unit.

The Bereavement Team is led by midwife Sam Behagg, who has been involved in maternity bereavement care for nine years. Sam works alongside Lindsey Dolan, and together they have developed the Maternity Bereavement Service at West Herts.

The death of a baby can be devastating, and the effects can be overwhelming leaving many parents feeling confused, drained, and isolated. Retention of the information you are given at the time and decisions you are asked to make, are very difficult.

It is our priority to make sure that you are safe, and that your physical and emotional care are tailored to your specific personal, cultural and religious needs.

For further information and support please see our page Postnatal support following the loss of your baby. 

Anyone can be affected by pelvic health problems during, or after pregnancy. This includes accidental bladder or bowel leakage (known as incontinence), painful sexual intercourse and pelvic organ prolapse. The perinatal pelvic health service (PPHS) offers support to those experiencing pelvic health problems, including early access to physiotherapy if required.

Women can self-refer to the service at any point throughout their pregnancy journey, or up to 12 months after their baby is born. 

Your midwife will make a referral to the Perinatal Pelvic Health Service if required.
 

We run a combined clinic with a team of obstetricians, endocrinologists, specialist nurses and dieticians providing a high standard of care for women with diabetes, thyroid disorders and other endocrine problems.

Your midwife will make a referral to the Diabetic Team at your first antenatal appointment if necessary.

We have 6 community midwifery teams who will look after you during your pregnancy, birth and beyond. You will be allocated to a community team depending on your postcode or GP surgery, and then given a named midwife who will provide most of your antenatal and postnatal care.

Those who live outside of our trust’s geographical catchment area will be cared for by a midwife at Watford General Hospital Antenatal Clinic.

Each team of midwives offers individual care for the specific needs of each woman or birthing person and her family. Together, the aim is to make your transition into parenthood as stress free and enjoyable as possible and to support you through your pregnancy by providing you with up to date, relevant information you need to make the choices that are right for you and your baby.

A small proportion of women will be referred to an anaesthetic clinic during their pregnancy. 

The clinic is for mothers who have medical problems that may affect what type of anaesthetic they can have during labour or delivery. 

Your doctor or midwife will refer you to this clinic if it is needed.