Fetal Care Program

High-risk pregnancies can result from health problems affecting the mother or from fetal causes. 

• Common maternal health concerns include diabetes diagnosed early in pregnancy, autoimmune disease and the use of assisted reproductive technology.
• If you have a family history of inheritable disorders, this can be a reason for screening your baby during pregnancy. Some babies may have evidence of a genetic disorder or growth restriction, prompting a more thorough evaluation to determine the cause and the best course of action.
• A fetal malformation, also known as a congenital malformation, birth defect is a structural or functional abnormality that occurs in a developing fetus. Fetal malformations can affect the body's organs or body parts, or how they function. If a baby is premature (less than 37 weeks), they may have immaturity of various organs. Both of these conditions require specialized care. 

No matter the medical concerns, our mission remains the same: to give babies the best possible start in life.

This program provides access to advanced prenatal diagnostic tests, including fetal echocardiograms, fetal blood sampling, fetal transfusion, non-invasive genetic screening, amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling and obstetrical ultrasound services.

As early as 15-16 weeks, our team can diagnose heart defects and heart rhythm problems, cleft lip and cleft palate, stomach and intestinal issues, brain abnormalities and clubbed feet. If an unborn child needs medical intervention, we provide treatment for fetal infection, amniotic fluid removal and management of fetal growth problems.

Fetal evaluation and management are provided to treat a range of conditions and birth defects before delivery. Our pediatric surgeons specialize in the diagnosis, preoperative, operative and postoperative management of surgical problems in children, and they operate on children whose development ranges from before birth through the teenage years.

For the expectant family whose baby will need complex health care, we provide a high level of support throughout the process. A dedicated Fetal Care Coordinator serves as the point of contact for the medical team and helps to arrange appointments, answer questions and provide emotional support.

Care is taken to schedule appointments promptly and close together (time and location) to minimize stress and disruption. We coordinate services for your child with a world-class team of experts who collaborate on an overall treatment plan to ensure your child’s and your family’s needs are met.

Labor and Delivery Suite
We provide a labor and delivery suite with a private recovery room. The Suite is conveniently located near the newborn nursery and the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to provide new mothers and families with a highly individualized birth experience that addresses their needs.

All-Private-Room Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
Our 46-bed Level III NICU is the first in New York State to give newborn babies who require specialized care their own rooms. Quiet, individual spaces help the child’s development and give parents time to bond with their babies in a secure and private environment. Our neonatologists and NICU nurses have excellent experience in caring for critically ill babies.

NICU High-Risk Clinic
After babies are discharged from the NICU, they are referred to our NICU High-Risk Clinic, where our experts will follow their progress regularly for up to three years to ensure they’re meeting their critical milestones. Our team specializes in recognizing the special needs and nuances of babies who require NICU care and can quickly provide resources and referrals when necessary.

Psychological and genetic counseling are available. Click here for more information.