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BayCare offers several convenient health care services that help get care you need to get back to feeling better.
Fetal Cardiology Program
The fetal cardiology program at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital provides comprehensive care for the pregnant mother and fetus who has been diagnosed with a heart defect. Our fetal services span the length of your entire pregnancy, starting with a fetal echocardiogram, which helps screen for potential heart defects, and continuing to delivery of your child where further care is transitioned to our neonatal and pediatric cardiology team if necessary. Our expert team consists of fetal and pediatric cardiologists, pediatric and congenital heart surgeons, fetal and pediatric cardiac sonographers and a nurse navigator, who work closely with the patient’s obstetrical team to manage care throughout a high-risk pregnancy and delivery.
Who Is Most At Risk for Heart Defects?
Moms at a greater risk for having a baby with a heart defect may include (but aren’t limited to):
- Women with congenital heart defects
- Women with uncontrolled diabetes
- Moms who have already had a child with heart disease
- Women who need to take certain medications during pregnancy
- Women with certain genetic syndromes
The fetus may be affected by any first degree relative, including the father, who may also have congenital heart defects. Most patients are referred after receiving an an abnormal Level II ultrasound study.
Talk to your obstetrician about your specific risks.
Additional Information
What Should Parents Expect When They Come to See Us
Dr. Blaine John, Director of Fetal and Pediatric Cardiology at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, talks about what parents can expect when they come to see us for a potential fetal heart defect.
Why Should Parents Choose St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital
Dr. Blaine John, Director of Fetal and Pediatric Cardiology at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, talk about why he chooses to bring his patients to St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, including the advanced technology and team, and what parents should look for in a pediatric heart program.
If any potential problems are detected with your baby’s heart during pregnancy, a fetal echocardiogram is an important next step. This specialized ultrasound can identify congenital heart defects in an unborn baby that may require special care for the mother and fetus. Our fetal echocardiography sonographers are specially trained to perform these ultrasounds and are credentialed by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS).
Fetal Echocardiography
Our fetal echocardiography program and our cardiac non-invasive laboratory are fully accredited by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC), demonstrating our commitment to high quality patient care and its provision of excellence in diagnostic testing for complex congenital heart disease. We are accredited in fetal echocardiography, pediatric transthoracic echocardiography and pediatric transesophageal echocardiography.
Diagnosis and Treatment
A fetal cardiologist will read and evaluate your echocardiogram as soon as it’s complete. The cardiologist will then meet with you immediately afterwards for a complete consultation. They will review the study with you and discuss what to expect next regarding safe delivery of your baby and any medical treatment your baby may need after delivery. Our perinatal nurse navigator will also meet with you to review any questions you have and will provide support and resources for you and your family throughout your pregnancy.
Our team will continue any necessary care throughout the pregnancy. We work closely with your obstetrical team to coordinate all care through delivery for a seamless transition from fetal life to medical and surgical care of your newborn infant following delivery.
Our level IV neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) provides the highest level of care as designated by the American Academy of Pediatrics, including immediate on-site access to pediatric medical and surgical subspecialists who provide care for babies born with medically complex conditions, including congenital heart defects.
For more information about our pediatric heart services, call our KIDS Heart Hotline: (813) 644-6679.