Direct answer
Patients and clinicians in Dubai can request maternal–fetal medicine review through the Fetus.ae patient or professional referral routes. Diagnostic and referral access is available through Mediclinic facilities in Dubai, with the appropriate location and appointment details confirmed during triage.
If advanced fetal therapy is being considered, procedures are coordinated through Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital in Abu Dhabi. The current status and qualification for each pathway are maintained on FetalTherapy.ae.
When a Dubai referral may be useful
Referral may be appropriate for a significant maternal disease, severe previous pregnancy complication, abnormal screening result, uncertain or major fetal finding, fetal growth restriction, abnormal Doppler, twins sharing a placenta, suspected placenta accreta spectrum, recurrent preterm birth risk, prenatal diagnostic testing, or a specialist second opinion.
The referral question should be specific. “Abnormal scan” is less useful than the gestational age, suspected diagnosis, measurements, Doppler findings, evolution over time, maternal symptoms, and the decision that cannot safely wait.
What to send before travel
Send the earliest dating scan, all current ultrasound reports, original image files or secure image access where possible, NIPT or serum-screening results, genetic or infection tests, maternal laboratory results, current medication, previous pregnancy records, and the referring clinician’s details. State where the patient is now and whether she is stable, admitted, contracting, bleeding, leaking fluid, or reporting reduced fetal movement.
Complete records can allow the receiving team to determine whether the next step should be a local repeat scan, a remote clinician discussion, a scheduled Abu Dhabi assessment, direct hospital transfer, or emergency care.
A safe inter-emirate pathway
- Triage the urgency. Maternal instability or an obstetric emergency goes to the nearest appropriate emergency department, not into a routine online queue.
- Confirm the clinical question. Establish whether the request concerns diagnosis, surveillance, invasive testing, delivery planning, or potential fetal therapy.
- Choose the receiving site. The team confirms the appropriate Mediclinic facility and whether Airport Road Hospital is required.
- Coordinate the visit. Confirm appointment time, insurance approval, transport, images, and a direct clinician contact.
- Return a documented plan. The plan should state what can continue in Dubai, what requires Abu Dhabi, what should trigger urgent reassessment, and who owns each follow-up action.
Travel and insurance
Do not travel across emirates for a routine appointment without confirmation. Insurance networks and pre-authorisation requirements vary by plan and procedure. The referral team or hospital should confirm coverage, required authorisation, admission arrangements, and any self-pay estimate before the journey.
What matters clinically
Distance is not the only issue. The correct location depends on gestation, maternal stability, rate of fetal change, need for anaesthesia or neonatal support, treatment window, and whether urgent delivery could become necessary. A coordinated referral reduces delay without implying that every patient needs transfer.
Heavy bleeding, severe abdominal pain, sudden fluid loss, regular painful contractions, reduced fetal movements, severe headache with visual disturbance, breathlessness, seizure, collapse, or feeling acutely unwell requires immediate assessment at the nearest suitable emergency department.
The essential distinctions
From a question to the right team.
A clear referral explains the concern, the timing, and the next action.
- Tell us the concern
Start with your name, phone number, city, and a brief description.
- Triage and records
The team contacts you to clarify urgency and arrange any reports or images needed.
- Coordinated assessment
The appropriate hospital, specialist, and appointment route are confirmed.