Medway Hospital; One of the best in the UK for detecting complications in high-risk pregnancies

Medway Maritime Hospital has become one of the best outside London for detecting complications in high-risk pregnancies.

Genetic abnormalities, heart defects, prematurity and risks with multiple births are just some of the conditions treated by specialist teams at the hospital with impressive success rates.

The national benchmark for detecting severe congenital heart defects is 50% but the detection rate at Medway is 90%.

For lethal skeletal dysplasia, a severe disorder of bone growth, and spina bifida, the national benchmarks are 60% and 90% respectively but Medway has achieved 100% detection rates for both of these.

Navjot Dusanj, 30, from Rochester, is one of the mums who has been treated by the fetal medicine unit after receiving the news she was carrying triplets.

The thrill of her news was quickly overtaken by worry as she was told by Prof Ranjit Akolekar, consultant in fetal medicine, of the possible complications the pregnancy could have, both for her and her babies.

Mrs Dusanj said: “When Professor Akolekar explained to me that I was carrying triplets I was incredibly excited, but then he calmly explained that this was a high-risk pregnancy and that there was a significant chance of me losing one or more of my babies and the complications associated to my own health.

“He reassured me that he would do all that he could to make sure all three boys and I were given the best medical care and advice. I knew we were in safe hands.”

At 28 weeks Mrs Dusanj underwent an emergency caesarean section to give the babies the best chance of survival. The triplets were immediately handed over to the Oliver Fisher Neonatal Intensive Care Unit because they were premature.

'We will work tirelessly to give the babies who are brought to our department the very best chance of survival'

Here the teams closely monitored the vital signs of each baby, making sure they were safely incubated until they were ready to breathe independently. All three boys are now thriving.

Prof Akolekar said: “Our determination and expertise, coupled with our sophisticated scanning technology means that we are able to provide the best of care to mothers and their babies.

“We have many referrals from mothers outside of the area who know that their chances of delivering a healthy baby are greatly increased when they walk through our doors.”

Dr Aung Soe, consultant neonatologist, said: “We are dedicated to our mothers and babies and will work tirelessly to give the babies who are brought to our department the very best chance of survival.”