What to Expect - The Fetal to Newborn Care Center

When you come to the Fetal to Newborn Care Center, you and your baby’s needs are at the heart of our care coordination.

For Patients 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:

After our team reviews your case, our nurse navigator will call you to arrange your first visit.
Depending on the diagnosis, our nurse navigator will schedule any additional, advanced diagnostic testing you may need. Specialized tests may include amniocentesis, fetal blood sampling, fetal echocardiogram (ECG), fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound. These tests take highly specialized measurements that help accurately assess the diagnosis and prognosis of your unborn baby.
Next, you will meet a team of caregivers and specialists who will help build your care plan. These experts may include maternal fetal specialists, genetic counselors, social workers, a perinatal sonographer, a nurse and financial counselor.
Our team will also gather the diagnostic information, talk with your primary obstetrician and any other specialists you may regularly see, talk to you about your family history and discuss your unique family needs to ensure a comprehensive look at your unique pregnancy.
Depending on the needs of your baby, consultations will be scheduled with pediatric specialists who have expertise in the care of certain fetal and newborn conditions. You will begin building relationships with specialists who may provide care throughout your baby’s childhood.
Once we have as much information as possible, our collaborative team will meet with you to discuss your diagnosis as well as recommendations regarding your care plan. This discussion typically includes the prognosis, uncertainties and recommendations for your pregnancy, delivery and newborn care. You will be involved in all decisions. We are here to inform, support and guide you through this journey.
Once we finalize your care plan, you will know exactly what to expect. Your plan may include monitoring of your pregnancy, follow-up testing, interventions, therapy during pregnancy and after delivery, delivery time, delivery location, method of delivery, newborn care and follow-up after birth.
Depending on our team’s recommendations and the anticipated needs of your baby, we will also offer tours of the facilities that will be part of your care plan.

We know this process may sound complex and overwhelming, but rest assured our nurse navigator will be by your side. She will be there to answer your questions, schedule your appointments and make sure you understand your care plan. 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.