Frequently Asked Questions
Maternal-fetal medicine specialists and fetal and pediatric specialists at the Fetal Care Center work together to provide families with the full continuum of care for high-risk pregnancies. Our program provides evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of mom and baby together in a caring, supportive and family-centered environment. Our maternal-fetal care includes:
- Diagnostic testing
- Fetal and maternal assessment
- Prenatal counseling and support services
- Recommendations for you and your OB / GYN or maternal-fetal care specialist
- Fetal surgery
- Postnatal care for you and your child
Fetal therapy is the diagnosis of fetal abnormalities and treatment of the fetus before birth. Fetal treatments have been found to help many abnormalities once considered untreatable or only treatable after birth, such as spina bifida/myelomeningocele and lung tumors such as congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM).
Fetal therapy may not only save the life of the fetus, but it can also dramatically improve the natural progression of the abnormality. In many cases, fetal therapy improves the child's long-term quality of life.
You and your baby will receive treatment at the specialized facilities within our three renowned medical institutions, which are located in close proximity to one another.
Mothers are evaluated and treated at Cincinnati Children's, Good Samaritan Hospital or University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
Diagnostic testing and shunt procedures are performed at Good Samaritan Hospital or University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Diagnostic testing, open fetal surgery and fetoscopic procedures are performed at Cincinnati Children's. After birth, babies can be treated at Cincinnati Children's, ranked third in the nation among Honor Roll hospitals in U.S. News & World Report’s list of Best Children’s Hospitals.
Your insurance plan will specify the level of coverage for your maternal-fetal care.
Our fetal therapy program begins with validated diagnoses. Due to the complexities of the abnormalities, as many as 30 percent of patients are referred to fetal therapy centers with an incomplete or incorrect diagnosis.
Once the correct diagnosis has been made, our team of maternal-fetal experts informs the mother and her family about all treatment options. Non-directive counseling and support are an important part of our program.
There are many ways to help improve the medical condition of a fetus with abnormalities through medical therapy or treatment. These therapies may include managing the pregnancy differently, drug therapy or preventive therapies.
In rare situations, fetal surgery is available to treat an abnormality so the baby can continue to develop in utero.
As soon as a diagnosis is established, fetal therapy can begin or may occur at any point during the pregnancy. Your treatment plan will be based on your specific diagnosis and situation.
Open fetal surgery is rare and usually done to keep detected abnormalities from becoming life-threatening.
The Cincinnati Fetal Care Center is located at Cincinnati Children’s, just 20 minutes from the Greater Cincinnati International Airport and within a one-day drive for more than 60 percent of the nation's population.
Yes. We make your OB / GYN or MFM part of your caregiver team, keeping him or her closely informed throughout every step of evaluation, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.
Fetal Care Center maternal-fetal specialists evaluate, diagnose and treat all conditions for which treatments are available. For some conditions, treatments may not be available.
For more information or to request an appointment, contact the Fetal Care Center at 1-888-338-2559 or info@fetalcarecenter.org.
Fetal therapy has successfully corrected such conditions as spina bifida, tumors, teratomas, urinary obstruction and others. We evaluate, diagnose and treat many fetal conditions.
Our interdisciplinary team of maternal-fetal specialists offers non-directive counseling to patients and families. This means we provide you with all of the information and options available so that you can make a knowledgeable decision on your own or with your family. We know this decision can be difficult and we are happy to answer all of your questions and provide our time, support and assistance. Social services, pastoral care, and family advocates are available as needed.
For More Information
For more information or to request an appointment, contact the Cincinnati Children's Fetal Care Center at 1-888-338-2559 or use our online form.
3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3026
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