Fetal medicine unit

Our fetal medicine unit (FMU) at Chelsea & Westminster and West Middlesex University Hospital serves a diverse multicultural local population of 1.1 million. The unit is run by a team of highly skilled subspecialist doctors who offer individualised care for pregnant women and their families when there is concern about the health of their unborn baby. 

In 2012, Chelsea & Westminster Foundation Trust was designated as the Lead Centre for Specialist Children’s and Neonatal surgery in north west London. The Chelsea Children’s Hospital is a fully integrated children’s hospital with a vision of providing world class children’s services and to be at the forefront of innovation in child health through the integration of care, research and education into clinical services.

Our state of the art Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is also the regional referral unit for both in-utero and ex-utero transfers and one of the leading Level 3 neonatal units in the UK. Our renowned consultants and experienced specialist midwives are able to provide a high standard of care in a calm and supportive environment. In cases of urgent referrals we offer appointments within 1–2 working days. We are always happy to discuss a referral over the phone to ensure an appropriate appointment is made.

Women referred to our unit can expect to be scanned by one of our fetal medicine consultants using the latest ultrasound equipment. Women and their families are counselled prior to the ultrasound scan and any findings are discussed in detail with ample opportunity to ask questions. Before parents leave the unit, a clear plan for their ongoing care will be in place.

What we offer

The FMU provides a comprehensive service throughout pregnancy in the diagnosis and management of all fetal conditions. Our designated centre for specialist paediatric and neonatal surgery, a Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, together with our close links with the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals enables our FMU to provide a comprehensive service throughout pregnancy in the diagnosis and management of all fetal conditions.

Our offer includes an integrated Fetal Cardiology Unit, under the direction of Professor Carvalho (Royal Brompton Hospital) alongside dedicated joint Fetal Medicine-Genetics, Fetal Medicine-Paediatric Surgery (including Paediatric Orthopaedic and Paediatric Respiratory) and Fetal Medicine-Paediatric Urology clinics. Services are provided by a dedicated team of Fetal Medicine doctors and midwives who provide excellent care. 

The FMU diagnoses and manages:

• Chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down’s Syndrome
• Genetic conditions
• Structural fetal defects
• Fetal conditions requiring surgical follow-up after birth
• Significant fetal cardiac anomalies
• Fetal growth restriction with the use of ultrasound doppler examination
• Twin and higher multiple pregnancies
• Pregnancies affected by red cell antibody incompatibility
• Prenatal diagnostic and therapeutic invasive procedures including chorionic villus sampling (CVS), amniocentesis, amniodrainage, feticide, intrauterine blood transfusion,  pleurocentesis, insertion of fetal shunts, etc.  

What to expect from your appointment

When you attend the FMU you should report to our reception desk where we will take your details and check you in.You will then be called to one of the ultrasound scan rooms. Your medical and obstetric history will be taken and prior to the scan taking place you will be advised on what will be done during your scan. Once you are happy with this, the scan of your baby will commence. After the scan, you will have the findings explained and you will be given time to ask questions. All relevant options for you will be discussed and any further appointments will be made.

Both Chelsea & Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital are renowned teaching and training hospitals. During your appointment, there may be several members of staff present, including the consultant, a senior sub-specialty trainee and the midwife running the clinic. There may also be visiting doctors, medical students and student midwives all of whom are in the process of learning. They will all introduce themselves and you should be asked whether or not you are comfortable to continue with the number of people present. If at any point you feel uncomfortable by the number of people present, please let the team know and they will accommodate your request.

Whilst every effort is made to see you on time, delays can occur due to the nature of the clinics. We will try our best to keep you informed. We are aware that you may be anxious about your appointment and if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us and speak to one of our midwives.

Location

Fetal Medicine Subspecialist Consultants

Mr Guy Thorpe-Beeston MD, FRCOG
Mr Thorpe-Beeston is a senior consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and a member of the high-risk pregnancy team. His particular interests include fetal ultrasound scanning, prenatal diagnosis, invasive procedures and multiple pregnancy. He was the first to introduce the nuchal translucency screening for chromosomal abnormalities in North West London and has extensive experience. His research focused on fetal thyroid function.

Miss Makrina Savvidou MD, FRCOG
Miss Savvidou is a Consultant Obstetrician, subspecialist in Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer and has recently been promoted to Professor of Practice (Neonatal Medicine) in the annual round of academic promotions at Imperial College London. She completed her subspecialty training in King’s College Hospital. She runs the combined Fetal Medicine-Genetics clinic with our Clinical Geneticist from the North West Thames Regional Genetics Service. Her special interests include invasive procedures, high risk multiple pregnancies, fetal growth restriction and abnormal placenta. Miss Savvidou is currently the Lead for Fetal Medicine for the Trust. Her research focused on the role maternal endothelial function in pre-eclampsia, diabetes and fetal growth disorders.

Miss Iris Derwig MD, MRCOG
Miss Derwig is a Consultant Obstetrician and subspecialist in Maternal and Fetal Medicine. She completed her subspecialty training in Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital, London. Miss Derwig is currently in charge of the Fetal Medicine service at West Middlesex University Hospital and the Lead for Maternity Improvement at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital. She has weekly Fetal Medicine clinics and her special interests include fetal growth conditions. Her research focused on the role of the placenta in fetal growth disorders. 

Miss Angela Yulia PhD, MRCOG
Miss Yulia is a Consultant Obstetrician and subspecialist in Maternal and Fetal Medicine.  She completed her subspecialty training at University College Hospital, London.  Miss Yulia has a special interest in early prenatal diagnosis and invasive procedures. She is the Lead for Prematurity and Maternal sepsis in the trust. Her research focused on possible treatment options to prevent premature birth.  

Miss Tanya Maric PhD, MRCOG
Miss Maric is a Consultant Obstetrician and subspecialist in Maternal and Fetal Medicine.  She completed her subspecialty training at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital and King’s College Hospital.  She runs the Fetal Medicine-Paediatric Urology clinic and has established the weekly “Rainbow” clinic providing specialist scanning and personalised care for women following pregnancy loss. She is the Lead for Maternity Assessment Suite, Clinical Audit and Guidelines. Her research focused on pregnancies outcomes in women with previous bariatric surgery. 

Miss Melissa Damodaram PhD, MRCOG
Miss Damodaram is a Consultant Obstetrician and subspecialist in Maternal and Fetal Medicine. She completed her subspecialty training at Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital. She has weekly fetal medicine clinics and a special interest in fetal cardiology. Her research focused on the role of MRI and assessing brain development in pregnancies with fetal growth disorders.

Fetal Medicine Midwives 
The midwifery team has been developed to support the women and their families through antenatal screening programmes and issues arising with their unborn child. The fetal medicine midwives are often the first contact when a health condition is suspected with the baby. They provide information and preparation about what to expect if referred to FMU and attending for a Consultant review. Following the appointment, the Fetal Medicine midwives can provide further information and support. They co-ordinate an MDT approach between the different specialities and participate in the care and birth planning appropriate for that family. As we strive to provide individualised care, some families receive postnatal follow up and support. 

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital

• Julia Baker
• Elizabeth Mcgimpsey

West Middlesex Hospital

• Jennifer Ryan
• Marie O’Connell
• Lydia Carder

External organisations

• Antenatal Results and Choices (ARC)
• Miscarriage Association
• Down’s Syndrome Association
• Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (SANDS)
• Twins Trust

Get in touch

Chelsea & Westminster Hospital

Fetal Medicine Administrator
T: 02033153131

Fetal Medicine midwives
T: 02033155874 
E: caw-tr.chelwestscreening@nhs.net

West Middlesex University Hospital

Fetal Medicine midwives
T: 02083216727
E: caw-tr.wm-fetalmedicine@nhs.net