Fetal Cardiology

Our Fetal Cardiology Program provides early screenings, accurate prenatal diagnosis, and, when appropriate, postnatal care planning for babies with the full spectrum of congenital heart disease. We’re here to help you understand exactly how your baby’s heart is developing. We feel privileged to partner with you and your family, your obstetrician, and your entire care team to support your baby’s unique needs before, during, and after delivery.

Our dedicated fetal cardiologists perform fetal cardiac screening for pregnant women and fetuses with certain risk factors. We use the very latest diagnostic procedures and technology—including fetal echocardiograms and fetal MRIs—to accurately diagnose cardiac disease and minimize the time you spend in the hospital. Then, we create the best plan moving forward that supports your child’s heart health and prepares your child for life-changing treatment when necessary.

The Fetal Cardiology Program is a part of the Betty Irene Moore Children’s Heart Center at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, one of the leading pediatric heart centers in the country. Our team members work in a wide range of subspecialty services:

• The Pulmonary Artery Reconstruction Program is dedicated to the highest level of comprehensive care for children and adults with congenital and acquired abnormalities of the pulmonary arteries.
• The Cardiovascular Connective Tissue Disorders Program brings together specialists to diagnose and treat children with connective tissue disorders, such as Marfan, Williams, and Loeys-Dietz syndromes.
• The Comprehensive Single Ventricle Program is designed to meet the unique needs of children who have single ventricle heart defects and provide longitudinal care. 
• The Pediatric Bloodless Surgery Program uses technologies and techniques that help our youngest heart surgery patients thrive.

Our pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons perform significantly more heart surgeries than other peer hospitals in the country while treating some of the most complex cases. Yet our results are better, and our patients’ lengths of stay shorter, than at other hospitals.

Why choose the Fetal Cardiology Program

Coordinated care: Our care approach goes beyond caring for your baby’s heart. As we prepare for delivery, an interdisciplinary team of pediatric cardiologists, heart surgeons, maternal fetal medicine specialists, neonatologists, and genetic counselors will partner with you and your obstetrician to ensure that you and your new baby start strong and get exactly the care and support you need.

Advanced care from top experts: Our fetal cardiologists are nationally recognized for their expertise. They have vast experience using innovative diagnostic/screening methods and the most advanced technology to monitor developing babies.

Great outcomes: Our echocardiography technique allows us to detect fetal heart problems at as early as 14 weeks’ gestation. Getting an accurate diagnosis helps us bring together the right team to create a comprehensive care plan with specialists to care for your baby before and after birth. Early detection and evaluation of potential heart issues improves the chance of survival after delivery for babies with serious heart defects.

Convenient care: Whenever possible, we work with your obstetrician to maintain your existing delivery plan. And our many outreach sites enable you to receive care closer to home, both before and after your baby’s birth.