Table 3.

Steps in performance of fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Step	Details
Indication	Dependent on individual level of previous ultrasound examination, clinical question and gestational age
Preparation of pregnant woman	Explanation of indication, performance, expected outcome and consequences of the procedure, information about the possibility of an accompanying person, exploration with respect to contraindications and claustrophobia and sedative drug prescription if necessary
Prerequisites for the MRI unit	Written referral with clear indication of the clinical question(s), ultrasound report and images (if possible), gestational age determined by first‐trimester ultrasound
At the MRI unit	Reiteration and clarification of possible contraindications, positioning of the woman in a comfortable position (either supine or lateral decubitus position), adequate coil positioning, performance of the appropriate protocol in the presence of the physician
After the examination	Informing of the patient about when the report will be ready. In case of immediate consequences resulting from the MRI examination*, informing of the referring physician
Storage of images, reporting	Electronic storage of images, reading of images, preferably also by a second physician, if available, then structured reporting (Table 4)

As MRI is usually not a first‐line examination, but a complementary examination following an ultrasound examination performed in the second trimester, the emphasis of the examination and report should be on structures that are more difficult to assess with ultrasound. A detailed MRI‐based anatomical assessment may be performed on request. *Immediate consequences such as an emergency Cesarean delivery in the case of a fetal condition that could be treated more efficiently postnatally (e.g. cerebral hemorrhage, brain edema).