What Is a Fetal Care Center? | Fetal Health Foundation
A fetal care center brings together specialists who work collaboratively to evaluate, diagnose, monitor, and treat complex conditions affecting babies during pregnancy and after birth. Learn how to find a center near you or someone you love.
A prenatal diagnosiscan bring uncertainty, questions, and difficult decisions. DuringFetal Syndrome Awareness Month, we recognize the families navigating these diagnoses and the importance of connecting them with accurate information, specialized care, and support. A fetal care center is a specialized program that brings together a team of experts to evaluate, diagnose, monitor, and treat complex conditions affecting babies during pregnancy and after birth. These teams provide coordinated care to support the baby and the family throughout the entire journey. Rather than visiting multiple specialists separately, families receive coordinated care from physicians and healthcare professionals who collaborate to understand the diagnosis, explain available options, and create a personalized plan from pregnancy through delivery, newborn care, and beyond. Every pregnancy is unique, and every care plan is different. Depending on the diagnosis, a fetal care team may provide:Advanced prenatal imaging and diagnosisGenetic testing and counselingTreatment planning and fetal interventionsDelivery planningNewborn care coordinationEmotional and family supportThe goal of a fetal care center is to make sure families have access to the information, expertise, and support they need to make informed decisions throughout their journey. Meet the Specialists Who Support You and Your BabyA fetal care team is not limited to specialists who care for your baby before birth. A major part of fetal care is anticipating what may happen after delivery and preparing the right team in advance. Because some fetal conditions may require specialized care after birth, many members of the newborn care team may be involved before delivery. Neonatologists, for example, may meet with families during pregnancy to discuss what to expect and help prepare for possible NICU needs. The team surrounding each family depends on the baby’s diagnosis and individual needs, but may include:Afetal care coordinator or nurse navigatorhelps guide families through the fetal care process, coordinates appointments, connects families with specialists, and serves as a consistent point of contact. Amaternal-fetal medicine specialist (MFM) / perinatologistis an obstetrician with advanced training in high-risk pregnancies and fetal conditions. They often lead medical evaluations, monitor the pregnancy, explain findings, and coordinate care. Anobstetrician (OB)continues to provide pregnancy care and works closely with the fetal care team to support both maternal and pregnancy needs. Aspecialized sonographer (ultrasound technologist)performs detailed ultrasounds that help identify, diagnose, and monitor fetal conditions. Agenetic counselor and medical geneticisthelps families understand genetic testing results, possible causes of a diagnosis, what findings may mean for their baby and future pregnancies. Afetal surgeonspecializes in procedures performed during pregnancy when appropriate. Aneonatologistspecializes in caring for newborns who may need additional medical support after birth. They help families understand what to expect before delivery and lead care for babies who require specialized monitoring, treatment, or intensive care. Pediatric specialistsmay join the team, depending on the diagnosis, including:Pediatric cardiologists who evaluate heart conditions before birthPediatric surgeons who plan surgical care after birthPediatric neurologists or neurosurgeons for conditions affecting the brain or spineOther specialists with expertise specific to the baby’s condition. Supporting the Whole FamilyRecognizingthe emotional impact a diagnosis can have on the whole family, many fetal care centers provide support from the very beginning. Families may have access to:Social workers who connect families with resources, transportation assistance, financial support, and community programsTherapists and psychologists who provide emotional support and counseling during a stressful and uncertain timeFamily counselors who help parents, siblings, and loved ones process the diagnosis togetherSpiritual care providers or chaplains, when desiredThese professionals are an important part of the care team, helping families feel supported, informed, and empowered throughout their journey. Planning for Delivery and BeyondAs pregnancy progresses, the fetal care team continues to monitor your baby’s condition and works with your family to develop a delivery plan tailored to your needs. This plan may includewhere delivery should take place, the specialists who should be present, and what care your baby may need immediately after birth. For some families, delivery may occur at a hospital with a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and specialized pediatric teams available. Depending on your baby’s condition,care after birth may include monitoring, diagnostic testing, medications, surgery, or other specialized treatments. Your fetal care team will help prepare you for what to expect, answer questions, and support the transition from pregnancy to newborn care. How Do You Find a Fetal Care Center?For families facing a fetal diagnosis, finding the right team can be an important next step. TheFetal Health Foundation’s Find a Treatment Centertool helps families, healthcare providers, and loved ones locate fetal care centers across the country. Click the link below to begin your search:Find a Treatment Center→To find a center near you:Enter your ZIP codeSelect the distance you are willing to travelExplore fetal care centers on the interactive mapEach listing provides important details to help you connect with a center, including:Center nameAddressPhone numberEmail addressWebsiteDirectionsWhether you are looking for a center close to home, seeking a second opinion, or helping someone you love find specialized care, this tool can help you take the next step. Fetal Health Foundation’s CommitmentFetal Health Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that no family faces a prenatal diagnosis alone. As FHF celebrates 20 years of supporting families, we continue building on a legacy of education, connection, and advocacy to improve the experience of families navigating fetal diagnoses. Throughout Fetal Syndrome Awareness Month — and every month — FHF works to:Provide trusted educational resources for familiesConnect families with experienced fetal care centersIncrease awareness of fetal conditions and available care optionsSupport research that advances diagnosis, treatment, and outcomesFoster collaboration among families, healthcare providers, researchers, and industry partners✨Twenty years of support. A future of hope. Together, we can increase awareness, inspire hope, and ensure that every family has access to the information and support they need throughout their journey. Fetal Syndrome Awareness Month:Every Diagnosis Deserves Awareness. Every Family Deserves Support. Share this resource. Help families, healthcare providers, and communities find the information and support they need after a fetal diagnosis. Your support makes this work possible. Consider making a donation to FHF.