At Dell Children’s, part of Ascension Seton, your families and patients are connected to nationally recognized doctors who diagnose, treat and manage care for babies with even the most rare and complex congenital and fetal conditions. The Comprehensive Fetal Care Center clinical care team offers state-of-the-art diagnosis of and treatment for conditions, including congenital heart conditions, congenital anomalies, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, urinary tract conditions, twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, and neural tube defects, such as spina bifida.
Our fetal care specialists and pediatric specialists work closely with OB-GYNs and maternal-fetal medicine specialists to provide patients coordinated delivery planning and services for mom and baby after delivery at our on-site Specialized Delivery Unit at Dell Children’s.
The Comprehensive Fetal Care Center is located at Dell Children’s Medical Center in Austin, Texas. Dell Children’s is the most comprehensive, dedicated free-standing pediatric facility in Central Texas serving a 46-county area. The hospital and affiliated locations provide care with the latest equipment and technology, and is organized to support an unmatched level of multidisciplinary care for all patients and their families.
For questions or referrals to the Comprehensive Fetal Care Center, please call 512-324-0040.
A multidisciplinary approach to fetal care
At the Comprehensive Fetal Care Center, our patients benefit from the expertise of specialists across a variety of disciplines. A fetal nurse navigator will guide families from initial contact, preparing for the first visit, coordinating a multidisciplinary team of experts and ensuring the patient’s needs are being met at each point. Families are able to see multiple specialists in one visit, which helps eliminate visiting several locations for patient care. In addition to our board-certified maternal-fetal medicine specialists, the care team includes genetic counselors, obstetricians, ultrasonographers, a psychosocial support team, neonatologists and a wide array of other pediatric specialists who collaborate to provide unparalleled care for patients and families throughout the continuum of care.
Led by Kenneth Moise, Jr., MD, and Michael Bebbington, MD, who have developed fetal centers across the country, our experienced team provides comprehensive, family-centered care to help ensure that our patients and their families receive the highest level of specialized care before, during, and after delivery.
Maternal Care Center provides care for mother and child in one place
Patients being cared for by the Comprehensive Fetal Care Center are able to receive their obstetrical care at the Maternal Care Center (MCC), a high-risk obstetrics clinic located in the same suite as the Comprehensive Fetal Care Center. Our highly experienced obstetricians work collaboratively with the entire fetal care team to provide comprehensive care to the mother and baby. This integration of maternal and fetal care enhances the overall experience for patients and their families and allows for close collaboration between fetal medicine specialists and obstetricians. Consultation with fellowship-trained maternal-fetal medicine specialists is also available at the MCC for more complicated maternal medical conditions.
Delivery at Dell Children’s Specialized Delivery Unit
Mothers who are low to moderate risk and pregnant with a baby who has a congenital condition may deliver at the Specialized Delivery Unit (SDU) inside Dell Children’s Medical Center. The unit is a new 11-bed, state-of the art delivery unit that is staffed 24 hours a day by highly trained obstetric nurses, anesthesiologists and obstetricians. The unit includes two operating rooms, five labor and delivery suites, and six antepartum/postpartum suites. Right next to the SDU is Dell Children’s Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where their babies can be cared for immediately following birth. In addition, Dell Children’s provides access to the most pediatric specialists and specialty programs in the region. The Specialized Delivery Unit is designed for moms and babies who are patients of the Comprehensive Fetal Care Center.
Level IV NICU at Dell Children’s Medical Center
Dell Children’s is home to a Level IV NICU – the highest level of care for premature and critically ill newborn babies. The NICU provides comprehensive multidisciplinary care for the most complex and critically ill infants of all gestational ages. In addition to being cared for by top neonatologists, Dell Children’s means patients have access to the full spectrum of pediatric specialists and specialty programs in the region. Medical care is integrated with lactation consultants, therapists, child life specialists, social workers, case managers, and chaplains to meet each patient-family’s unique needs.
Dell Children’s has the only Level I Children’s Surgical Program in Central Texas. This designation is reserved for hospitals that meet the highest standards for surgical care, training, resources, quality improvement and safety.
For questions or referrals to the Comprehensive Fetal Care Center, please call 512-324-0040.