Alloimmunization in Pregnancy: When the Blood Cells Attack
11-weeks pregnant with her third child, Jessica Reger expected this pregnancy to go as smoothly as the others, with the exception of a complicated delivery with her second baby that required an emergency surgery and blood transfusions. But a routine ob/gyn visit revealed an abnormal blood screen – her blood was alloimmunized.
Twin Anemia Polycythemia Sequence: The Slow Change That Alters Everything
The whole morning turned into changing and canceling appointments, meeting new doctors, and understanding a real new world of twins. My doctor explained so many things about my pregnancy, including how it had become high risk, and that we needed screening every two weeks for things like TTTS.
Maternal Fetal Medicine and Fetal Syndromes: The Basics for Expectant Parents
The joy that parents feel upon learning they are expecting is often tampered by medical complications and concerns. After a fetal syndrome is diagnosed, parents need to quickly understand the basics of the maternal fetal medicine world. Learn more about maternal fetal care centers and how to find them.
EXIT Procedure Saves Baby with Rare Tumor Diagnosis During Pandemic
Giving birth to a baby with an unusual prenatal diagnosis at 27 weeks in the midst of a global pandemic comes with its own unique challenges. That was one family’s reality earlier this year. But the care team at the Colorado Fetal Care Center — the only team in the region able to perform the procedure their baby needed to survive — was there to help them through it.
Integrated Fetal Health Centers Provide Unique Benefits to Mother and Baby
“Both the mom and fetus or newborn have access to a full range of hospital services from labs to imaging to counseling and surgery in one area. The close proximity also allows for further bonding between the parents and the infant at a critical time. Additionally, co-locating the care team fosters collaboration in emergency situations,” stated McGuinness.
Tips for new parents of multiples during the COVID pandemic
Parents of twins, triplets, and more have special concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Multiples of America shares some realistic tips to make it easier.
Theodore’s Memory: A Plea for More Ultrasounds During Pregnancy
The first time I felt the pain that I described to the doctors as Braxton-Hicks contractions, I didn’t know it was a placental abruption. Read more about Lailani and her story.
Mila’s CDH Story | From Diagnosis to Delivery – and Beyond
“In severe cases of CDH, the survival rate is ranging from less than 20% to 50%, but with FETO, we’re seeing a huge improvement in odds of survival,” said Dr. Lim. “Right now, it looks like survival rates as high as 80-90% are possible, but we’re still learning.”
Maverick’s Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) Journey
Babies born with Maverick’s heart condition and a restrictive or absent communication between the top two chambers of the heart, are born with abnormal lungs, in addition to the heart defect. In fact, most of these babies do not survive after birth. Maverick underwent creation of an opening in the top two chambers of the heart in fetal life with a stent, to allow him to be stable after birth..
Stress and Your Baby: New Study Identifies Impacts of Maternal Stress on Fetal Health
In a report entitled ‘The United States of Stress’, Everyday Health’s Nan-Kristen Forte reveals that one-third of Americans have gone to their doctors for a stress-related problem, which often affects their work, social lives, and inner peace. But for pregnant women, new research reveals that high levels of maternal stress pose even more worrisome problems, as it can have an effect even on their unborn baby.
Fetal Therapy Think Tank Joins Nonprofit Fetal Health Foundation
PRESS RELEASE APRIL 17, 2020 Collaboration of national fetal therapy and medical industry experts designed to advance fetal medicine The Fetal Health Foundation is excited to announce its unification with the Fetal Therapy Think Tank. The Fetal Therapy Think Tank is a...
COVID- 19 and Concerns of People with High-Risk Pregnancies
Pregnancy can be an exciting but stressful time, especially when things – like unexpected health complications or concerns for your baby – create added worries. Adding the COVID-19 pandemic into such an uncertain time can leave expectant parents feeling even more...
High-Risk Pregnancy + Coronavirus: Q & A with the Experts
In this ever-changing environment impacted by COVID-19, women who have higher-risk pregnancies face a different set of challenges in requiring more visits and potential fetal therapies in order to chance a successful delivery. The Fetal Health Foundation recently compiled the most accurate information out right now about what being diagnosed with a fetal syndrome looks like….
2020 Connexions Magazine Available Online
award-winning 2020 Connexions magazine, full of updates around fetal research, how our maternal fetal partners are improving outcomes for patient families with conditions such as spina bifida, IUGR and tetralogy of fallot, as well as learning more about PCOS and pregnancy, or the importance around birth photography.
Delivery + Caring for a Newborn During a Pandemic
Tips on what to expect during prenatal care and delivery. CDC disinfection protocols, breastfeeding, and resources for new parents are discussed. Updated on April 2, 2020, we also talk about questions you should ask and about going back to work after delivery.
Using Telehealth For OB Patients During COVID-19
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of telehealth was minimal in obstetric practice in the US. Despite its growth in other healthcare areas, few healthcare facilities or providers were set up to provide OB telehealth services. However, in the short span of 4-6 weeks, this has changed dramatically.
COVID-19 & Pregnancy: UPDATED Resources for Expectant and New Parents
Pregnancy and life with a newborn during the COVID-19 pandemic is frightening. We’ve asked members of our medical advisory board to continue to contribute the most relevant and up-to-date resources that they find as the situation evolves. We’ll continue to update this post as new information is available.
New Fetal Surgery Treatment for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
Fetal Health Foundation Medical Advisory Board member Dr. Ahmet Baschat and 2015 Recipient of the Brianna Marie Memorial Research grant Dr. Jena Miller are co-authors of a new Johns Hopkins Center for Fetal Therapy study that gives hope to families experiencing a diagnosis of fetal congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
Lucy’s sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) story
Lucy’s tumor was Type 3, both internal and external, and much larger than her doctors considered operable. It was also mostly solid, which meant it required a blood supply, causing the heart to work harder to supply blood to both the baby and the tumor.
Best Apps for First-Time Parents
While we tend to use our phones as entertainment devices more often than not, smartphones are also full of information and tools for new parents. Whether you want to track your baby’s development in utero, log some of the less glamorous aspects of parenthood after birth, or just snap photos of your precious new addition, you can do it all with the help of your phone.
2019 Fetal Health Foundation Impact Report
Your support made a real difference to young families facing a fetal syndrome diagnosis. Read about the impact that the Fetal Health Foundation made in 2019. Download the report PDF and share!
How to Holiday Shop for the New Parents on Your List
Gift ideas can be hard to come by when you’re getting ready for the holidays; some friends and loved ones are just plain hard to buy for, or you may be on a budget that keeps you from buying the items you really want to get. When it comes to the new parents on your list, however, there are so many great choices that will help them feel better as they go through all the roughest parts of parenthood.
Daddy’s Diet Matters Too: How What Men Eat and Drink Affects Fetal Health
Until more recently, men’s diets and their effects on fetal health have never been taken into consideration. Dads, it may be time to hold off on that loaded cheeseburger and side of chili cheese fries. Here’s a look at why.
UC San Francisco Team Named Winner of Brianna Marie Memorial Research Grant for a Second Time
The recipient of this year’s Brianna Marie Memorial Research Grant goes for a second time to Dr. Teresa Sparks and team at the University of California, San Francisco to further support the completion of your research project titled “Non-Immune Hydrops Fetalis: Toward a Precision-Based Approach.”
Foods to Avoid When Pregnant
Whether it’s your first or fifth pregnancy, this is a special time.
It is crucial to carefully consider what you are eating and make sure you are on a healthy balanced diet throughout your pregnancy.
While you may have to cut out some foods for nine months, some are okay in small amounts.