Fetoscopy

Fetoscopy is a procedure performed to observe the fetus through a thin flexible instrument called fetoscope. The test is performed during pregnancy. A small incision is made in the belly and fetoscope is inserted in the uterus through incision. Fetal ultrasound is used for guiding the fetoscope. Camera may be attached to uterus to take the pictures during the procedure. These pictures will help to keep the records. Fetoscopy is performed during or after the 18th week of pregnancy. Till this time the placenta structures and fetus are developed enough to detect the serious problem.

Need

Fetoscope is done for:

• Evaluating fetus for birth defects like spina bifida
• Detecting some inherited diseases that are not found in any other test
• Collecting blood samples to test diseases like hemophilia or sickle cell anemia from umbilical cord
• Collecting tissue samples (generally of skin) of fetus to detect the hereditary skin diseases

Procedure

You have to remove your cloths below waist and drape a cloth or paper covering around the waist. Lie on your back with slightly raising your upper body to give relief to your stomach muscles. The abdominal skin will be cleaned with the antiseptic and a numbing injection will be given to you. A sedative will be given to reduce the fetal movement. The position of fetus and placenta will be checked by the doctor with the help of fetal ultrasound scanning. Reflected ultrasound waves will be used in this procedure to create the uterine picture. Through this method doctor can have the view of fetus, placenta, uterus, and the amniotic fluid on the video screen. According to the guidelines of ultrasound, doctor will select the place for incision in abdomen and uterus. The samples are collected and fetus is observed. Fetoscope is removed and incision is closed with the help of stitches and bandage. Status of fetal movement and amniotic fluid is checked with ultrasound again. The procedure takes 1 to 2 hours for completion. If you have moderate or severe cramping, or abdominal pain, chills or fever, dizziness or fluid or blood leaking from your vagina or from the incision in your abdomen, then call your doctor immediately.

Result

You can get visible results immediately but results of biopsy and blood test takes time. In normal results no birth defects or other visible problems are observed. Inherited skin diseases or other abnormalities are not detected. If the results are abnormal then the fetus may have one or more visible physical defects or there may be presence of skin disease, inherited blood disease like sickle cell anemia.

Consideration

There are high chances of risk to mother as well as fetus. So, fetoscopy is performed only when there are high possibilities of abnormal fetus or there is strong family history for birth defects. The procedure can be done only in sophisticated medical centers. If you are obese, amniotic fluid is too cloudy, fetus is very active or unable to lie still during the test, then you cannot perform the test.