fetal care medicine
Guiding families through the unexpected with expertise, compassion and hope—providing advanced care for babies diagnosed before birth.
what is fetal care medicine?
Fetal care focuses on diagnosing and treating conditions in a baby before birth. This specialized area of medicine involves advanced imaging, genetic testing, and coordinated care to support both mother and baby during pregnancy. Our goal is to ensure the best possible outcomes for your child from the very beginning.
the Dayton Children’s difference in fetal care
Your care begins with a comprehensive evaluation that combines our expertise with input from your referring physician. Together, we develop an individualized care plan that may include diagnostic tests such as ultrasound, fetal MRI, and genetic testing, as well as innovative procedures and specialized care after birth.
A dedicated nurse navigator will guide you through your pregnancy—coordinating appointments, providing tours, offering educational materials, and giving emotional support every step of the way. They also serve as the first point of contact for your questions, will communicate regularly with your referring physician, and, in rare cases, walk you through the perinatal hospice path.
a collaborative care approach to care
Our fetal care program brings together pediatric specialists from more than 35 areas—including fetal imaging, surgery, cardiology and neonatology. As the only hospital in the region solely dedicated to children, we provide care for infants of all sizes and needs—from our state-of-the-art NICU to expert surgical services. This collaboration ensures that every aspect of your baby’s care is seamlessly connected.
fetal imaging
Our specialists use advanced technology like high-resolution ultrasound and fetal MRI to closely examine your baby’s development before birth. These detailed images help us confirm or rule out concerns, understand your baby’s unique needs, and create a personalized care plan.
our fetal care specialists
Pediatric specialists at Dayton Children’s work closely with maternal-fetal medicine providers to support families when a baby is diagnosed with a condition before birth. This collaborative approach ensures that from diagnosis through delivery and follow-up, families have access to expert, coordinated care tailored to their baby’s specific needs—bringing peace of mind during a critical time.
conditions we treat
Dayton Children’s treats a wide range of pediatric fetal care conditions, including:
programs & clinics
Dayton Children’s congenital gastrointestinal surgery program combines the expertise of pediatric surgeons and pediatric gastroenterologists to provide a seamless continuum of care for babies born with complex gastrointestinal issues.
The fetal cardiac clinic at Dayton Children’s provides a fetal echocardiogram and then a consultation with one of our board-certified pediatric cardiologists to ensure a seamless continuum of care for babies born with cardiac issues.
news and blogs
We’re committed to sharing timely, practical insights and resources that help families navigate their journey with confidence, including updates on our specialized fetal care medicine services.
for your visit
Every high-risk pregnancy is unique. That’s why our team of experts designs a plan that’s specific to your needs after a referral from your obstetrician or maternal-fetal medicine specialist. Care plans typically follow this process:
We know this process may sound complex and overwhelming, but rest assured we will be by your side. Coordinating care from a fetal diagnosis through newborn care provides our team – including you – with the most comprehensive look at your unique high-risk pregnancy. Along the way, we invite you to ask questions and share your concerns so that you feel empowered and supported during this challenging time.
patient stories
Real families, real results. From congenital heart defects and brain abnormalities to genetic disorders, airway issues and twin complications, our patients and families inspire us every day. Our expert team is here to guide families through every step, offering personalized care and reassurance from diagnosis to delivery and beyond.
FAQs – fetal care
When a pregnant mother first learns that her unborn baby has been diagnosed with a medical condition, feelings become overwhelming and quickly these emotions transition to questions of how this disease will affect my baby’s life? Most birth conditions are not preventable. We encourage families to let go of the guilt surrounding the diagnosis. Instead, channel your energy into learning about the baby’s condition and the treatments that are available.
Within the fifth month of pregnancy (at 20 weeks of gestation), women typically have an ultrasound that serves several purposes. It is at this point that the doctor looks for abnormalities in blood flow, organ, and bone development. Diagnosis is typically either be made through ultrasound or through prenatal genetic testing.
After the diagnosis is made by your OBGYN or maternal-fetal medicine specialist, the next step is to find a comprehensive fetal care center, that can provide better insight into the severity of the diagnosis and manage care from pregnancy to birth and beyond. Whether you need additional diagnostic studies, more counseling or specialized care our nurse navigator is with you every step of the way. And most of the time, your OBGYN will remain part of the team and will be able to deliver your baby as planned.
As a response to care fragmentation during this critical time for mothers and their unborn babies, our goal is to put a mother’s mind at ease during this overwhelming process while optimizing the outcome for both her and her baby. Our collaborative team is focused on delivering the high-quality care you deserve and expect.
- Coordinated care: We have combined the expertise of the region’s leaders in maternal-fetal care, high-risk obstetrics, neonatology, neonatal surgery, and pediatric subspecialties to provide coordinated care for mothers facing a high-risk pregnancy or fetal anomaly.
- Nationally-recognized: Our team is nationally-recognized for their work in advancing care for both mothers and babies and our continued collaboration continues to raise the quality of care available in our region.
- Prepared for all possibilities: We have the capability to diagnose, intervene and treat a wide variety of fetal conditions using leading technology and procedures. Our expertise means we can be prepared for all possibilities that may arise during your journey.
- Unique care plans: Our expertise and experience, along with input from a referring physician, will guide the creation of an individualized care plan based on the needs of each mother and her baby referred to the center. This unique plan may include diagnostic tests such as ultrasound, fetal MRI and genetic testing, innovative procedures and interventions, and advanced labor and delivery and newborn intensive care services all available in our region.
- Pediatric specialists: We offer a full complement of pediatric specialists capable of treating your child from diagnosis to treatment to follow-up, giving you peace of mind in knowing who is caring for your baby. Most of our providers offer prenatal consults including video visits to discuss the specific plan or care for your baby. This can often help relieve anxiety about what is going to happen after delivery.
- Nurse navigator: We have a specialized nurse navigator who will guide a mother through the pregnancy assisting with all of the subspecialty appointments and tours needed at Dayton Children’s and other area hospitals. In addition, she will provide emotional support, educational materials, and be the first line contact for the families for all of their needs, and in rare cases, assist the family through the perinatal hospice path. The nurse navigator will communicate throughout the pregnancy with the referring physician.
Our nurse navigator will connect you with staff members who can answer any concerns you may have and assist with any issues about your insurance coverage and payment options. You can also contact our billing department anytime.
Questions will come up and our nurse navigator is always available to help or answer your question by calling 937-641-3708 or you can fill out this form.
ready to take the next step?
Dayton Children’s fetal care team provides expert guidance and compassionate support from pregnancy through newborn care and beyond. Have questions about your pregnancy and whether our services could be helpful? Connect with our nurse navigator at 937-641-3708 or through our contact form.
