About The Pregnancy Clinic
Consultant-led pregnancy care in Sevenoaks, Kent, led by Professor Ranjit Akolekar
Who we are
Specialist pregnancy care, led by a consultant
The Pregnancy Clinic is a private, CQC-registered pregnancy clinic in Sevenoaks, Kent. The clinic is led by Professor Ranjit Akolekar, an internationally recognised expert in fetal medicine.
Our aim is to offer truly holistic pregnancy care. You benefit from continuity with the same specialist consultant throughout your pregnancy, unhurried consultations, and time to talk through every finding and decision, so that you feel confident, comfortable and well supported at every stage of your journey.
We provide everything you may need during pregnancy, in one place: specialist consultations, expert pregnancy scans by a fetal medicine specialist, NIPT and other investigations, prescriptions and ongoing support. We offer private antenatal care for all pregnancies, with bespoke packages for higher-risk pregnancies. Insured and self-pay patients are welcome, with no GP referral needed.
Professor Ranjit Akolekar
MBBS, MD (Res), MRCOG · Consultant in Fetal Medicine and Obstetrics
Professor Akolekar is a recognised expert in fetal medicine and high-risk pregnancy care, with a career spanning tertiary NHS practice, academic research and private consultant-led care. He brings many years of experience in managing both routine and complex pregnancies.
He leads the fetal medicine service at the Medway Fetal and Maternal Medicine Centre, is Regional Lead for Fetal Medicine for Kent and Medway, and is actively involved in training, research and the development of clinical standards. This ensures that care at The Pregnancy Clinic reflects the latest evidence and the highest clinical standards.
Professor Akolekar also sees patients at The Harley Street Centre for Women, London.
Clinical expertise
- Prenatal diagnosis and management of fetal abnormalities
- Consultant-level interpretation of genetic screening and NIPT
- Early prediction and prevention of pregnancy complications
- Management of high-risk pregnancies with complex fetal and maternal medical conditions
- Prenatal diagnosis and management of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS)
- Dual expertise: experienced consultant obstetrician and specialist in fetal medicine and obstetric ultrasound
Roles and leadership
- Consultant and Clinical Lead for Fetal Medicine, Medway Fetal and Maternal Medicine Centre
- Regional Lead for Fetal Medicine, Kent and Medway
- Lead for the Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS) network, Kent, Surrey and Sussex
- Research Lead for Reproductive Health at Medway
- Professor, Canterbury Christ Church University, and trainer of future specialists
- Over 250 peer-reviewed publications in fetal medicine and obstetrics
Professional memberships
Research and publications
Research that has shaped pregnancy care in the UK and internationally
Professor Akolekar has published over 250 peer-reviewed papers in fetal medicine and obstetrics. His research focuses on predicting and preventing pregnancy complications, and the same evidence guides every appointment at The Pregnancy Clinic.
Pre-eclampsia
Developing first-trimester screening that identifies women at high risk of pre-eclampsia, so that preventive treatment can start early.
Private antenatal care →Selected papers (5)
- Maternal serum placental growth factor at 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks of gestation in the prediction of pre-eclampsiaAkolekar R et al. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2008
- Maternal plasma soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 and free vascular endothelial growth factor at 11 to 13 weeks of gestation in preeclampsiaAkolekar R et al. Prenat Diagn 2010
- Prediction of early, intermediate and late pre-eclampsia from maternal factors, biophysical and biochemical markers at 11-13 weeksAkolekar R et al. Prenat Diagn 2011
- Competing risks model in early screening for preeclampsia by biophysical and biochemical markersAkolekar R et al. Fetal Diagn Ther 2013
- Aspirin versus Placebo in Pregnancies at High Risk for Preterm PreeclampsiaRolnik DL et al. N Engl J Med 2017
Prevention of stillbirth
Using fetal Doppler blood-flow assessment, including the cerebroplacental ratio, to identify babies at risk in later pregnancy.
Growth and Doppler scan →Selected papers (5)
- Umbilical and fetal middle cerebral artery Doppler at 35-37 weeks' gestation in the prediction of adverse perinatal outcomeAkolekar R et al. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2015
- Prediction of stillbirth from maternal factors, fetal biometry and uterine artery Doppler at 19-24 weeksAkolekar R et al. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2016
- Prediction of stillbirth from placental growth factor at 11-13 weeksAkolekar R et al. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2016
- Routine assessment of cerebroplacental ratio at 35-37 weeks' gestation in the prediction of adverse perinatal outcomeAkolekar R et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2019
- Predictive performance for placental dysfunction related stillbirth of the competing risks model for small-for-gestational-age fetusesNicolaides KH et al. BJOG 2022
Fetal growth disorders
International expert guidance on how fetal growth disorders are managed, including the care of big babies (macrosomia).
Growth and Doppler scan →Selected papers (5)
- Screening and diagnosis of fetal growth restriction: an expert reviewVillalaín C et al. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2025
- Clinical practice guidance for the management of fetal growth restriction: an expert reviewVillalaín C et al. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2025
- Routine 36-week scan: prediction of small-for-gestational-age neonateAdjahou S et al. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2025
- Maternal and neonatal complications of fetal macrosomia: cohort studyBeta J et al. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2019
- Maternal and neonatal complications of fetal macrosomia: systematic review and meta-analysisBeta J et al. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2019
Vasa praevia
Showing how screening for vasa praevia, a rare but serious condition, can prevent stillbirths.
Anatomy scan →Selected papers (5)
- Prevention of stillbirth: impact of two-stage screening for vasa previaZhang W et al. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2020
- Perinatal outcome of pregnancies with prenatal diagnosis of vasa previa: systematic review and meta-analysisZhang W et al. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2021
- Incidence of vasa praevia: a systematic review and meta-analysisZhang W et al. BMJ Open 2023
- Vasa previa in singleton pregnancies: diagnosis and clinical management based on an international expert consensusOyelese Y et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2024
- Prenatal diagnosis of vasa praevia in routine clinical practice: Prevention of stillbirths and impact on perinatal outcomesZhang W et al. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2025
Amniocentesis and CVS
Establishing the true, very low risk of miscarriage after amniocentesis and CVS, so that families can make informed decisions.
Investigations →Selected papers (5)
- Prediction of miscarriage and stillbirth at 11-13 weeks and the contribution of chorionic villus samplingAkolekar R et al. Prenat Diagn 2011
- Pregnancy Loss Following Amniocentesis or CVS Sampling-Time for a Reassessment of RiskOgilvie C and Akolekar R. J Clin Med 2014
- Procedure-related risk of miscarriage following amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling: a systematic review and meta-analysisAkolekar R et al. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2015
- Procedure-related risk of miscarriage following chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesisBeta J et al. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2019
- Risk of miscarriage following amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling: systematic review of literature and updated meta-analysisSalomon LJ et al. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2019
Cell-free DNA and NIPT
Early work on testing the baby’s DNA in the mother’s blood for Down’s syndrome, RhD status and fetal sex.
NIPT →Selected papers (5)
- Fetal sex determination using circulating cell-free fetal DNA (ccffDNA) at 11 to 13 weeks of gestationAkolekar R et al. Prenat Diagn 2010
- Fetal RHD genotyping in maternal plasma at 11-13 weeks of gestationAkolekar R et al. Fetal Diagn Ther 2011
- Non-invasive prenatal assessment of trisomy 21 by multiplexed maternal plasma DNA sequencing: large scale validity studyChiu RW et al. BMJ 2011
- Analysis of cell-free DNA in maternal blood in screening for fetal aneuploidies: updated meta-analysisGil MM et al. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2015
- Screening for trisomies by cell-free DNA testing of maternal blood: consequences of a failed resultRevello R et al. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2016
Full list of publications
What makes us different
Specialist expertise, with time to talk
Consultant-delivered care
You are seen directly by a fetal medicine consultant at every visit.
Precision ultrasound
High-resolution imaging, combined with expert interpretation.
Integrated clinical care
Findings are explained clearly, with a personalised plan, not just a report.
Continuity and reassurance
Care that is consistent, structured and tailored to your pregnancy.
Time and attention
Unhurried appointments, with space for discussion, questions and clarity.
Registered and recommended
Registered with the Care Quality Commission, and recommended by our patients.
Who we care for
Bespoke, consultant-led pregnancy care
We care for
- Families who value continuity with a specialist consultant
- Women seeking a higher level of reassurance and detail
- IVF and fertility-assisted pregnancies
- Pregnancies after recurrent miscarriage
- High-risk or complex pregnancies
Working alongside the NHS
All our care is designed to complement your NHS maternity care, so that your support throughout pregnancy is safe, coordinated and complete.
With your permission, we share your reports with your GP or NHS maternity team.
A calm, discreet and reassuring environment
A short welcome to our clinic in Sevenoaks
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