POSTED BY:
Christina Paidas Teefey, MD

When expectant parents receive news of a fetal diagnosis or structural difference during pregnancy, the experience can feel overwhelming. The journey that once seemed straightforward suddenly becomes filled with medical appointments, difficult decisions, and sometimes significant uncertainty. The impact of a fetal diagnosis on maternal mental health is profound. What many parents don’t realize is that while their emotional responses are an individual reaction to a challenging new time for their family, these emotional responses can simply be part of the drastic deviation from the expected, or they can be signs and symptoms of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders — which are more prevalent in expectant parents facing care in a fetal center. In addition to having an informed awareness of risk factors for perinatal mental health disorders, recognizing the unique emotional challenges families face is a centerpiece of a fetal center’s collaborative care. Mental health screening is a stepping […]

When you’re told that you or your baby needs extended monitoring during a pregnancy complicated by a congenital anomaly or fetal diagnosis, it can feel overwhelming. This is especially true when you are cared for within a fetal center. Perhaps you came in for a routine appointment, or maybe something unexpected happened that brought you to the hospital. Either way, the news that you’ll need to stay longer can stir up a whirlwind of emotions — worry, frustration, loneliness, and uncertainty about what lies ahead. If you’re reading this, you may be facing this reality as an expectant parent within a fetal center right now, or perhaps you want to be prepared just in case. In a fetal center, the need for extended monitoring varies greatly, but it’s a precaution that helps ensure both you and your baby receive the specialized care you need, and there are ways to make […]