KKH STORK Centre delivers integrated care for high risk pregnancies

By Dr Serene Thain

1/27/2025 2:10:00 PM | Special Delivery

The article is contributed/written by KK Women's and Children's Hospital

Updated: January 2025

In Singapore, there is an increasing prevalence of pregnant women with pre-existing medical conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension and morbid obesity, forming complex high-risk pregnancies which can impact maternal and fetal health. The increasing number of complex high-risk pregnancies call for a new model of care that manages the mother’s health holistically with an integrated approach.

Delivering complex obstetric care

The KKH one-STop Obstetric high RisK (STORK) Centre provides integrated care for women with complex and high-risk pregnancies involving obstetric and medical specialists, nursing and allied health professionals.

This one-stop, integrated service facilitates collaborative and multidisciplinary care, which helps to not only optimise the preconception health of women with high risk medical or obstetric conditions, but also support these pregnant women throughout the different aspects and stages of their pregnancy journey.

These dedicated services offer a safety net to help couples with the aim of reducing the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and optimising the health outcomes of the mother and the future child.

Led by specialists from the Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, the new centre comprises 10 clinics located on KKH campus:

Obstetric High Risk Clinic (OHRC)
Joint Diabetes in Pregnancy Clinic (OBSDM)
Joint Medical Disorders in Pregnancy Clinic (OBSMED)
Joint Obstetric and Haematology Clinic (OBSHAEM)
Preterm Birth Clinic (OBSPRETERM)
Twin Clinic (OBSTWIN)
Obstetric Pre-Pregnancy Counselling Clinic (OBSPPC)
Fetal Care Clinic (FCC) (opened in 2022)
Small Baby Clinic (SBC) (opened in 2023)
Prenatal Genetics Clinic (PGC) (opened in 2023)

Click here for the STORK Centre clinic services and referral criteria.

Holistic services from preconception to post-pregnancy

From 2022, the STORK Centre has also introduced new clinics to address more unique challenges arising from complex pregnancies, supporting couples in making informed family planning decisions even before embarking on pregnancy, and to continually care for families after pregnancy for long-term health, development and well-being.

Fetal Care Clinic: Support for babies with fetal anomalies	Prenatal Genetics Clinic: Support for babies diagnosed with a genetic condition or couples at risk of pregnancy affected by a genetic condition
Pregnancies diagnosed with a fetal anomaly are high-risk pregnancies that can be associated with significant maternal and paternal anxiety. Opened in 2022, the Fetal Care Clinic provides specialised follow up for pregnancies that have been diagnosed with fetal anomalies, ensuring continuity of care by a fetal medicine specialist, who is well equipped to handle the counselling aspects and needs of these couples.	In recent years, prenatal genetics have been expanding rapidly with advancements in diagnostic ultrasonography, with significant increase in the number of testing options from basic karyotyping tests to cell-free DNA testing, chromosomal microarray testing, whole exome and whole genome testing. Opened in 2023, the Prenatal Genetics Clinic focuses on patients undergoing genetic testing for complicated high-risk pregnancies. These include pregnant patients with fetal anomalies detected by diagnostic ultrasound, postnatal patients, and patients who have experienced stillbirths or miscarriages with suspected genetic anomalies. It also caters to patients in the pre-pregnancy stages who are known carriers of genetic conditions. With dedicated specialists and counselling sessions, patients can exercise informed choices about prenatal genetic testing, keeping pace with the rapidly expanding field of prenatal genetics and advanced testing options.
Small Baby Clinic: Support for babies with growth restriction
Opened in 2023, the Small Baby Clinic provides enhanced care for pregnant women whose fetus has restricted growth. This includes scans and reviews of diagnostic results by a dedicated obstetrics and gynaecology doctor in one visit. The clinic also equips patients with education and offers support through pregnancy and after childbirth, ensuring continuity of care and enabling them to make informed decisions.

Refer a patient

Healthcare professionals can refer patients to the STORK Centre by emailing this completed request form and referral letter to [email protected]. Urgent requests for patient referral can be made to the STORK Centre clinic coordinator at +65 6394 8901 during office hours (Monday to Fridays, 8.00am to 5.00pm).

Dr Serene Thain, Consultant, Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, KKH

Dr Serene Thain is the Head of the Maternal Medicine Unit and leads the STORK Centre at KKH. She received her undergraduate medical degree from the National University of Singapore in 2010 and obtained postgraduate degrees in Surgery (MRCS) in 2013 and Internal Medicine (MRCP, MMed) in 2014.

In 2015, Dr Thain was admitted as a Member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (MRCOG), United Kingdom, and awarded the MRCOG Prize Medal for emerging as the overall highest scoring candidate, as well as the Gold Medal for the Master of Medicine (Obstetrics & Gynaecology) examinations.

Dr Thain pursued further subspecialty training in the field of Obstetric Medicine under the tutelage of world-renowned Professor Catherine Nelson-Piercy and Professor Catherine Williamson at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital in London.

References

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Phan TP, Alkema L, Tai ES, et al. Forecasting the burden of type 2 diabetes in Singapore using a demographic epidemiological model of Singapore. BMJ Open Diabetes Research and Care. 2014;2:e000012. doi: 10.1136/bmjdrc-2013-000012.
Gan, E. (2015, November 10). Premature births on the rise in Singapore. TODAY. https://www.todayonline.com/daily-focus/health/premature-births-rise-singapore.