Procedures and Treatments

Fetal therapy is a rapidly developing science. Our Fetal and Pregnancy Health Program experts are at the forefront of this knowledge. We participate in ongoing research involving standardization and optimization of prenatal imaging through the North American Fetal Therapy Network (NAFTNet). We are one of only nine hospitals in the U.S. that are participating in the Renal Anhydramnios Fetal Therapy (RAFT) groundbreaking trial. 

Treatments we offer, at a glance

Some rare and severe conditions may require specialized treatment and maternal-fetal intervention even before the baby is born. Our Fetal and Pregnancy Health team of experts can provide the most advanced therapy for the mother and fetus:

• Amnioinfusion and amnioreduction (including amnioinfusion for early pregnancy renal anhydramnios (EPRA) through RAFT clinical trials). Amnioreduction is a sterile procedure to remove amniotic fluid with a needle in situations where there is too much fluid. Amnioinfusion is a sterile procedure to infuse fluid in some cases where there is little or none.
• Percutaneous umbilical blood sampling (PUBS). In this procedure, blood is taken from the umbilical cord for fetal testing, and fetal transfusion of blood and platelets is performed to resolve problems, such as anemia.
• Fetal shunt placement for fetal bladder obstruction, hydrothorax, and lung masses. Here, a small shunt (hollow tube) is inserted into the uterus to drain unwanted fluid from the fetus to the amniotic cavity to improve a fetus’s health.
• Fetal thoracentesis. Unwanted fluid is removed from a fetus’s chest to relieve pressure on the heart and lungs.
• Fetoscopic laser ablation of shared placental anastomoses (for twin-twin transfusion). This procedure is used to treat monochorionic twins with twin-twin transfusion syndrome. A small camera, called a fetoscope, is inserted into the uterus to locate vascular connections on the placental surface between twins and ablate those with a laser. 
• Fetoscopic surgery and open fetal surgery for fetal spina bifida. This is performed in order to cover exposed spinal cord and nerves.
• Treatment for fetal cardiac arrhythmias when a fetus has cardiac rhythm issues. These are typically treated with maternal oral medications during pregnancy.
• Multidisciplinary management of placenta accreta, increta, percreta. This is a range of placental attachment disorders that need close monitoring during pregnancy.
• Selective fetal reduction for complex twins.
• Treatment for fetal infections.
• Treatment for fetal lung masses. Treatments include medication, minimally invasive therapy, and drainage to improve the function of the developing lungs.
• Immediate postnatal access to heart treatment (IMPACT). This occurs when a baby has a severe congenital heart defect that is life-threatening and needs immediate multispecialty care.
• Ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) and other complex delivery procedures. EXIT is a surgical delivery with ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctors present to secure the airway of a baby with a complex airway condition.