Fetal Care Services

Why Choose Us

We are the only hospital in Georgia in which the mother can deliver her child, have the baby transported to the NICU or the OR (if necessary), and return to the NICU all under the same roof. There is also a Ronald McDonald House outside the front door of the Children's Hospital where the mom can stay while she is discharged and the baby is still receiving care.

You can take comfort in the fact that our fetal care services include every available pediatric specialty and subspecialty, such as a Level IV neonatal intensive care unit (highest level). This means we can meet any need throughout your pregnancy and after birth.

Diseases We Treat

Pediatric Surgery

• CPAM
• CDH
• Lung masses
• Mediastinal tumors
• Esophageal atresia
• Lymphatic malformations
• Gastroschisis
• Omphalocele
• Artesias
• Abdominal tumors
• Sacrococcygeal teratoma

Pediatric ENT

• Craniofacial abnormalities
• CHAOS
• Neck tumors
• Lymphangiomas

Plastic Surgery

• Cleft lip/palate
• Craniofacial abnormalities

Pediatric Neurosurgery

• Myelomeningocele
• Hydrocephalus

Pediatric Urology

• Posterior urethral valves
• Hydronephrosis
• Renal mass
• Bladder extrophy

Pediatric Orthopedics

• Skeletal/extremity abnormalities

Pediatric Neonatology

• Medical complications of the newborn

Pediatric Cardiology/Cardiac Surgery

• Single ventricle
• Tetralogy of fallot
• Transposition of the great vessels
• Total anomalous pulmonary venous return
• Hydrops
• Fetal Dysrhythmias
• Coarctation
• Hypoplastic left heart syndrome

Diagnostic Tests and Procedures

Some of the specialized procedures available at Fetal Care Center of Georgia include EXIT procedures where babies are delivered by Caesarean section with the cord still connected to the placenta, allowing surgeons to perform interventions then cut the cord.

Other procedures include shunts for posterior urethral valves, amnioreduction, fetal blood transfusions and “bubble studies” for possible congenital heart defects.

All forms of prenatal ultrasound diagnosis, prenatal genetic testing and invasive prenatal diagnosis are available.

We also offer evaluations for congenital heart defects, musculoskeletal defects such as diaphragmatic hernia, omphalocoele, gastroschisis, bowel obstructions and many more.

Amnioreduction

Recommended for:

• Symptomatic polyhydramnios
• Twin to twin transfusion syndrome, or TTTS

Diagnostic amniocentesis (after 15 weeks of pregnancy)

Recommended for:

• Pregnant mothers older than 35
• Families with a history of genetic disorders
• Parents seeking diagnostic karyotypic information regarding chromosome or other disorders
• Abnormal ultrasound findings, including
  • Birth defects. This is not a comprehensive list, but could include gastroschisis, omphalocoele, bowel obstructions, esophageal atresia, diaphragmatic hernia, sacrococcygeal teratoma, neck masses, cystic hygroma, lung masses such as cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung, posterior urethral valves, kidney masses as well as hydronephrosis of kidney, cleft lip and palate, hydrocephalus, and congenital heart disease including single ventricle, ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect and Tetralogy of Fallot
  • Early severe fetal growth restriction
  • Markers of chromosomal disorders or intrauterine infection
• Amnio-dye study for confirmation of preterm premature rupture of membranes
• Evaluation for etiology in stillbirth/fetal death

Diagnostic chorionic villus sampling (occurs at 10 to 13 weeks of pregnancy)

Recommended for:

• Pregnant mothers older than 35
• Families with a history of genetic disorders
• Parents seeking diagnostic karyotypic information regarding chromosome or other disorders
• Birth defects. This is not a comprehensive list, but could include gastroschisis, omphalocoele, bowel obstructions, esophageal atresia, diaphragmatic hernia, sacrococcygeal teratoma, neck masses, cystic hygroma, lung masses such as cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung, posterior urethral valves, kidney masses as well as hydronephrosis of kidney, cleft lip and palate, hydrocephalus, and congenital heart disease including single ventricle, ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect and Tetralogy of Fallot

Diagnostic cordocentesis

Recommended for:

• Evaluation for fetal anemia in cases of rh iso-immunization or fetal infection such as parvovirus

EXIT (Ex-Utero Intrapartum Treatment) procedure

Recommended for:

• Severe micrognathia
• Fetal neck/oral masses
• Resection of large lung lesions (such as CPAM and others)

External cephalic version

May be recommended for (some exclusions):

• Fetal malpresentation, such as breech or transverse presentations

Fetal ascites reduction

Fetal bladder stent placement

May be recommended for (some exclusions):

• Fetal bladder outlet obstruction

Fetal blood transfusion

Recommended for:

• Severe fetal anemia

Fetal cardiovascular bubble study

Recommended for:

• Congenital heart defects such as atrial septal defect and others

Fetal cystocentesis

Recommended for:

• Enlarged fetal bladder
• Bladder outlet obstruction

Fetal pericardiocentesis

Recommended for:

• Cardiac diverticulum with pericardial effusion
• Large pericardial effusions

Fetal thoracentesis

Recommended for:

• Congenital pulmonary airways malformation, or CPAM
• Bronchopulmonary sequestration
• Fetal hydrothorax

Selective fetal reduction/multifetal pregnancy reduction

Recommended for:

• Higher order multiples (triplets and beyond)
• Multiple gestation with a single fetus with birth defects/aneuploidy

Vaginal delivery with breech extraction of second twin

May be recommended for (some exclusions):

• Fetal malpresentation of second twin

Vaginal delivery following prior Caesarean delivery (some exclusions)