Fetal care at Dell Children's
The Comprehensive Fetal Care Center at Dell Children’s at Ascension Seton is the only fetal care center in Central Texas. At the Fetal Care Center, you 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. Our experienced and compassionate care team provides the high level of care you and your baby need. We connect the dots across specialized pediatric care and bring together a highly skilled and multidisciplinary team to deliver advanced care. Your multispecialty team includes nurse navigators, genetic counselors, maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialists, OB-GYNs, neonatologists, sonographers, psychologists and more.
Dell Children's Medical Center is ranked among the nation's best Neonatology specialty programs by U.S. News & World Report in 2023-2024.
Conditions we diagnose, treat and manage
Comprehensive fetal care at Dell Children’s Medical Center
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Comprehensive Fetal Care Center at Dell Children’s Medical Center
The Comprehensive Fetal Care Center at Dell Children’s provides care for children with complex or rare fetal and congenital conditions. We're connecting the dots across specialized pediatric care and bringing together a highly skilled and multispecialty team to deliver advanced care.
At the Comprehensive Fetal Care Center, we use advanced technology to diagnose and monitor fetal conditions. This includes:
- Amniocentesis
- Blood tests
- Fetal MRI
- Genetic screening and diagnostic tests
- Ultrasound
Your care team takes the time to explain your child’s diagnosis and answer your questions – big and small. Then, your care team delivers care that’s right for you and your baby. At the Comprehensive Fetal Care Center, we deliver some of the most advanced care for fetal conditions, including:
- Intrauterine infusions for blood disorders
- Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome laser surgery
- Shunt placement
- Fluid drainage
Many patients of the Comprehensive Fetal Care Center deliver their babies at the Maternal Care Center at Dell Children’s Medical Center.
The Comprehensive Fetal Care Center is a clinical partnership between Dell Children’s Medical Center and UT Health Austin, the clinical practice of the Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin.
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Genetic testing and counseling at Dell Children’s
Certified prenatal genetic counselors work closely with MFMs to evaluate the likelihood of genetic conditions in current or future pregnancies. Your genetic counselor starts by listening to understand you and your concerns. Together, we can talk about your family history, risks and any conditions you may be concerned about. Your genetic counselor takes the time to explain your options for genetic testing and can recommend testing that is right for you and your family.
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Maternal Care Center at Dell Children’s Medical Center
If you and your baby are being cared for by specialists at the Comprehensive Fetal Care Center, you can get your maternity care in the same suite at the Maternal Care Center. Your fetal and maternity care team work together as one multispecialty team. Scheduling your appointments and getting the care you need is more convenient with both specialty care centers located in the same place.
If you are a patient of the Comprehensive Fetal Care Center and would like to make an appointment at the Maternal Care Center, please call 512-324-0042.
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Specialized Delivery Unit at Dell Children’s Medical Center
Mothers who are low to moderate risk and pregnant with a baby who has a congenital condition may deliver at the Specialized Delivery Unit. This state-of-the-art labor and delivery unit inside Dell Children’s Medical Center provides direct access to pediatric specialists for babies who need more care after delivery. The Specialized Delivery Unit is designed for moms and babies who are patients of the Comprehensive Fetal Care Center. If your baby has been diagnosed with a fetal condition, ask your doctor about delivering at the Specialized Delivery Unit.
Your care team includes specially trained labor and delivery nurses, OB-GYNs, anesthesiologists, neonatologists, fetal interventionalists, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, nurse coordinators, ultrasonographers and pediatric specialists. We work closely together to provide advanced care during and after delivery.
And if your baby needs neonatal intensive care, have peace of mind knowing your baby will be close by at the NICU at Dell Children’s Medical Center.
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Level IV NICU at Dell Children’s Medical Center
Doctors and critical care teams at Dell Children’s Medical Center at Ascension Seton deliver advanced care for even the smallest and most fragile young patients. As a Level IV neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), we provide the highest level of care for critically ill newborns and those born prematurely. Our experienced on-site neonatologists provide care 24/7. Here, your child and family will have the support of an entire children’s hospital. Your baby’s care team may include neonatologists, neonatal nurses, respiratory therapists, surgeons, cardiologists and more. We work with you and your child’s other specialists to create a care plan that’s right for your child and family. And when your child leaves the NICU, we connect you to the right pediatric specialists at Dell Children’s for ongoing follow-up care.
Our NICU provides care for babies throughout Central Texas and beyond. Dell Children’s has a dedicated neonatal transport team to bring critically ill babies directly to our Level IV NICU – whether by ambulance, helicopter or plane. Led by a neonatologist, our NICU transport team includes experienced neonatal nurses and respiratory therapists. Our neonatal transport team has the specialized skills and advanced technology needed to care for babies while they are being transported.
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Level I Pediatric Surgery Center at Dell Children’s Medical Center
If your child needs surgery, a highly experienced and multidisciplinary team of surgeons provides the most advanced care for your child. Dell Children's has the only Level I Children's Surgical Program in Central Texas – the highest level of pediatric surgical care. This means babies born with complex congenital conditions who need surgical care are connected to our highly experienced pediatric specialists and surgeons who treat congenital anomalies.
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Pediatric Cardiac Care Unit at Dell Children’s Medical Center
Babies who need more advanced heart care are cared for at the Pediatric Cardiac Care Unit at Dell Children's Medical Center directly after they are born. Care teams at the unit are dedicated to delivering highly specialized cardiac care to children with congenital heart disease and acquired heart conditions. Our nationally recognized pediatric cardiovascular team delivers advanced heart care, including heart surgery for the tiniest of patients.
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Mental health care at Dell Children’s
When you’re having a baby, you may experience a lot of emotions – excitement, anticipation, worry, anxiety. At Dell Children’s Comprehensive Fetal Care Center, psychologists are part of our care team. A perinatal and reproductive psychiatrist provides mental health support and counseling on the risks and benefits of medications during pregnancy and breastfeeding. They also prescribe and manage these medications.
If needed, social workers are also part of your care team. They can help you process the grief, trauma, and worry that can come with complex pregnancies. And we connect you and your family to resources in the community, if needed.
Helping you and your family navigate your care
Before your first appointment, your nurse navigator will call you to gather information and answer any questions you may have. Your first visit usually includes an ultrasound and a consultation with a maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialist. After your appointment, your nurse navigator provides support to your family. They can help you coordinate and schedule appointments, provide resources and answer your questions – big and small.