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:
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.
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.