With every pregnancy, we take a personalized approach to caring for our patients and their pregnancies. Our world-class fetal, maternal, and pediatric teams diagnose and treat various complex medical conditions before birth.
Fetal Conditions
Fetal conditions we care for include:
- Fetal growth restriction and placental dysfunction
- Genetic diseases
- Fetal hydrops and anemia
- Fetal structural anomalies (sometimes called congenital birth defects)
- Complicated twins and higher-order multiple pregnancies
Fetal Therapies (Advanced Ultrasound-Guided Fetal Procedures)
We use advanced ultrasound-guided fetal procedures or fetal therapy to achieve the best possible outcomes. These treatments include:
Amniocentesis
Amniocentesis is a procedure used for genetic testing and can be done after 15 weeks of pregnancy. A doctor, guided by ultrasound, inserts a needle into the pregnant abdomen and takes a sample of fluid surrounding the fetus. This sample may be used to diagnose chromosomal abnormalities, other genetic diseases and even certain infections.
Chorionic Villus Sampling
Chorionic villus sampling or CVS provides similar information to amniocentesis but can be done earlier in pregnancy. CVS uses a needle guided by ultrasound to take small pieces of the placenta at 11-13 weeks of pregnancy. Placenta samples may be used to diagnose chromosomal abnormalities and other genetic diseases.
Cordocentesis or Percutaneous Umbilical Blood Sampling
In this procedure, a small needle is used to sample fetal blood from the umbilical cord within a pregnancy. This procedure can be used for diagnostic purposes and the treatment of certain fetal diseases. The most common indication is to diagnose and treat fetal anemia with an in-utero transfusion of blood to the fetus.
Multifetal Pregnancy Reduction
Higher-order multiple pregnancies have high rates of miscarriage, preterm delivery, and neonatal complications. Some patients may choose to reduce the number of fetuses in a continuing pregnancy to increase the chance of a healthy birth of one or more infants. The procedure is performed using a small needle and injection performed under ultrasound guidance.
Radiofrequency Ablation
In monochorionic (single placenta) twin pregnancies, the health of one twin can significantly affect the health and well-being of the other. In some cases, a nonviable twin (also called twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence) or critically ill or anomalous fetus can jeopardize the survival of the other healthy twin. Radiofrequency ablation is used to stop blood flow within the umbilical cord to the abnormal fetus while protecting the other twin.
Fetal Shunts
A shunt is a flexible tube that connects two different spaces or compartments. Guided by ultrasound, tiny shunts may be safely placed into the fetus to allow an abnormal fluid collection to drain into the amniotic space and protect vital organ function. This procedure is most commonly performed to drain the bladder in select cases of lower urinary tract obstruction (vesicoamniotic shunt) or to drain the chest in cases of fetal hydrothorax or buildup of fluid in the lungs (thoracoamniotic shunt).
Learn about our prenatal genetic testing services.
