Fetal treatments and services

If your baby has a health problem while in the womb, our specialist team provides a full complement of treatments for all of your baby’s health needs. At the Center for Fetal Care, our fetal surgeons have expertise in the most advanced surgical techniques, including in utero surgery. Our surgeons work with our neonatal and pediatric colleagues who provide expert care in every specialty.

Treatments for developing babies

As we develop a personalized care plan for you and your baby, we consider your family’s preferences. Whenever possible, we use minimally invasive treatments, to deliver treatments to your baby in the womb.

Amniocentesis

Amniocentesis is a needle procedure for testing and treatment. Using ultrasound guidance, we insert a narrow needle into your belly and into the amniotic sac (protective membrane around your baby). As a treatment, we use amniocentesis for:

• Amnioreduction: Some conditions in the womb cause excess amniotic fluid, which surrounds your baby. Amnioreduction removes excess fluid to relieve pressure in the uterus and improve blood flow, especially between twins.
• Amnioinfusion: Other fetal conditions can reduce amniotic fluid, which can also harm a baby. An amnioinfusion procedure restores fluid to a healthy level.

Genetic consultation and testing

Our genetic specialists provide consultation and testing to help you understand your family’s risk of developing genetic disorders. We provide information about genetic disorders and support in making decisions about your family’s care. Find out more about our genetics program.

Intrauterine blood transfusion

This minimally invasive procedure replenishes red blood cells in a baby that has severe anemia. Surgeons insert a needle, using ultrasound guidance, through your belly and into the umbilical cord vein of the baby. We first take a small sample of blood to test for blood type. Then we transfer red blood cells into the umbilical cord.

Fetal shunt placement

Our fetal surgeons have expertise placing shunts (thin, hollow tubes) to drain excess fluid from your baby. We use shunts to treat many conditions, including fetal lung masses and lower urinary tract obstructions. During a minimally invasive procedure, we use a needle to place the shunt, with one end in the baby and the other in the amniotic sac.

Radiofrequency ablation therapy

Twins sometimes face, life-threatening conditions in the womb. In twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence, one twin doesn’t fully form and won’t survive after birth. Meanwhile, the healthy twin may become endangered if blood flow isn’t blocked to the nonsurviving baby. We may recommend radiofrequency ablation, a minimally invasive way to seal blood vessels with heat.

Learn more about TRAP sequence and other fetal conditions that affect twins.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) helps newborns whose lungs need time to develop after birth. A machine takes over for the baby’s heart and lungs to temporarily provide oxygen-rich blood. It’s helpful for babies with congenital diaphragmatic hernia or a fetal lung mass. Advocate Children’s Hospital is one of only a handful of neonatal ECMO programs in Illinois.

Fetal surgery

Our fetal surgeons have specialized training and years of experience treating mothers and babies, even in the womb. We’re experts in the latest techniques and technologies for minimally invasive procedures and open surgery, for a wide range of conditions. Learn more about fetal surgery at the Center for Fetal Care.

Delivery and continued care

After providing care throughout your pregnancy, our maternal-fetal medicine specialists deliver your baby either vaginally or by cesarean section. Our surgeons and maternal-fetal specialists work with a team of neonatal experts to provide your baby the best possible start in life.

Our team has expertise in EXIT, a special delivery procedure that combines a C-section with other treatments for babies with certain conditions. Your delivery team may include additional pediatric specialists such as neonatologists, pediatric surgeons and pediatric cardiologists.

If your baby needs more advanced treatment, our Level III neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are nearby. Teams there provide highly specialized care for critically ill infants and premature newborns.