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Maternal Fetal Health

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 […]

Discovering you’ve been referred to a maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialist can feel overwhelming at first, but understanding this pivotal step in your prenatal care journey can transform uncertainty into empowerment. Whether you’re facing a high-risk pregnancy, managing a chronic condition, or simply need specialized monitoring, an MFM specialist brings advanced expertise to support both you and your growing baby. Here’s what that referral means and what you can expect next. What is Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM)? Maternal-fetal medicine specialists are dual-board-certified obstetricians with advanced training in high-risk pregnancy, and many people also use the term high-risk obstetrician for MFM specialists. There’s an additional layer to the MFM meaning beyond just the acronym. The hyphen in maternal-fetal medicine represents medicine that treats maternal and fetal health as fundamentally linked. It’s an approach to care that recognizes you can’t truly focus on outcomes for the baby without also caring for the mother, and […]

Prenatal genetic counseling and preconception (the time period and care that happens prior to pregnancy) genetic counseling and testing offer ways to gain further information and education that can help patients and families make informed decisions about their pregnancy and for preconception planning. There are many testing options available nowadays with different benefits, risks, and limitations. This article lays the foundation for essential questions you may have, such as: However, it’s important to keep in mind that genetic counseling and genetic testing are voluntary — it’s your choice. In fact, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) reaffirmed in January 2026 that, “After pretest counseling, every patient has the right to pursue or decline prenatal genetic screening and diagnostic testing.” So, keep the communication open with your OB/GYN, or maternal-fetal medicine doctors, about the types of testing you’re comfortable with and what the information means (and what it doesn’t). […]

The advanced delivery unit (ADU) at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware recently reached a major milestone — welcoming 300 babies into this world! Expectant parents can take comfort in the comprehensive multidisciplinary care model of the Nemours Advanced Delivery Program, which is designed for babies diagnosed with medical conditions before birth that require a post-delivery intensive care unit stay. This planning ensures that newborns’ medical needs are met, allowing access to nationally renowned pediatric specialists and providing families with necessary support and guidance during a critical time. The story of baby Ricky’s family illustrates the program’s benefits, as they chose to plan his arrival at the Nemours Children’s ADU after he was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect (CHD) before birth. When a Family Learns Their Baby Needs Extra Care Most commonly, families learn their unborn baby will need specialized care during a routine prenatal ultrasound. Ultrasounds during pregnancy are often […]