MFM UAE / The diagnostic atlas

A clearer picture.
A better question.

Understand your scan. Decode the result. Know what to ask next. A practical guide to maternal and fetal medicine, from first assessment to a considered plan.

Understand the tests
Ultrasound assessment during pregnancy — illustrative stock photograph
MART PRODUCTION / Pexels · Illustrative photograph, not a Mediclinic patient

The result decoder

Three kinds of information.
Three different questions.

Select the type of result you are trying to understand. The next step depends on the question—not just the name of the test.

01 / NIPT

How likely is a particular condition?

Screening puts a pregnancy into a higher- or lower-chance group for the conditions included in that test. NIPT examines DNA fragments in maternal blood, most of which come from the mother and some from the placenta.

What it cannot tell you

A higher-chance result is not a diagnosis. A lower-chance result cannot rule out every chromosome condition, genetic disorder, or structural finding.

The useful next question

Ask which condition the result concerns, what the chance means for your pregnancy, and whether diagnostic testing would answer the question.

Explore the full explanation here
02 / ULTRASOUND

What can we see, measure, and follow?

Ultrasound examines fetal anatomy, growth, fluid, and the placenta. Doppler adds information about blood flow. A specialist scan may confirm a finding, change its interpretation, or identify what needs follow-up.

What it cannot tell you

A reassuring scan does not exclude every genetic condition. Some findings develop later, and visibility depends on gestational age, position, and other factors.

The useful next question

Ask whether the finding is isolated, how certain it is, whether additional imaging or genetic testing could help, and when the next assessment should be.

Explore the full explanation here
03 / DIAGNOSIS

Can a defined condition be identified?

CVS obtains a placental sample; amniocentesis obtains amniotic fluid. The laboratory analysis is a separate choice: chromosome testing, microarray, or selected gene testing answer different questions.

What it cannot tell you

“Diagnostic” does not mean “tests for everything.” A normal result is reassuring only within the scope of the analysis. Uncertain or unexpected findings may require additional counselling.

The useful next question

Before sampling, agree which analysis is planned, the procedure risks, likely result timing, and how each possible result would affect your decisions.

Explore the full explanation here

A smaller denominator means a higher chance.

These are arithmetic examples, not a test result or a prediction for your pregnancy. Ask the team to explain your own number in both formats.

1 / 100 = 1%One in one hundred1 / 1,000 = 0.1%One in one thousand — ten times lower
Supporting medical referenceNHS — Screening tests in pregnancy

Explore the knowledge library

Find the answer you came for.

All 12 guides

Make the most of your appointment

Bring your questions. Leave with a plan.

Use this checklist as a conversation starter. Tick the questions you want to ask, then print this page to take with you.

Selections stay on this page only and are not sent or saved.

Questions for your appointment

Care in the UAE

Where assessment and treatment take place

Specialist MFM assessment is available through Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital in Abu Dhabi and Mediclinic Al Jowhara Hospital in Al Ain. Fetal-therapy procedures are coordinated through the designated Abu Dhabi programme. Patients in Dubai can enter the diagnostic and referral pathway through Mediclinic, with the appropriate location confirmed during triage.

Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital exterior

Abu Dhabi

Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital

Specialist assessment and the fetal-therapy procedure hub.

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Mediclinic Al Jowhara Hospital exterior

Al Ain

Mediclinic Al Jowhara Hospital

Full maternal–fetal diagnostics and coordinated referral.

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Dubai

Mediclinic referral pathway

Diagnostic and referral access through Mediclinic. The team confirms the appropriate facility during triage.

Ask the referral team ↗

Questions, answered

A few things you may be wondering.

Does a specialist referral mean something is wrong?

Not necessarily. An assessment may offer reassurance, clarify an uncertain finding, or plan closer care. The reason for referral determines the next step.

Can I contact the team myself?

Yes. The self-referral form needs your name, phone number, city, and a brief explanation. Other details are optional. The team will contact you and arrange any records needed.

Where do assessment and treatment take place?

Specialist MFM assessment is available through Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital in Abu Dhabi and Mediclinic Al Jowhara Hospital in Al Ain. Fetal-therapy procedures are coordinated through the designated Abu Dhabi programme. Patients in Dubai can enter the diagnostic and referral pathway through Mediclinic, with the appropriate location confirmed during triage.

How do I prepare for a second opinion?

Write down the question you want answered and your gestational age. Have your reports and previous results available. The team will explain how to share any images securely after making contact.

When should I seek urgent help?

Heavy bleeding, severe pain, fluid loss, reduced fetal movements, collapse, breathing difficulty, seizures, or a severe headache with visual symptoms need immediate medical assessment. Do not wait for an online form response.

Your next step

Let’s make the next step clearer.

Tell the team your concern. We will contact you to help coordinate the right assessment.