A large proportion of children with heart problems are now diagnosed in fetal life. While this is a difficult time for families, it is in their best interest to use the remainder of their pregnancy to obtain as much information as possible to prepare themselves for the baby’s birth and subsequent course. We have a state-wide network of obstetricians, maternal-fetal medicine experts, pediatric cardiologists and surgeons, who work together to ensure the best possible level of care. Once an obstetrician suspects a fetus with a heart defect anywhere in the state, the mother is referred to one of the Maternal Fetal Medicine and Pediatric | Fetal diagnosis helps save baby's life | Patricia Duffy was twenty weeks pregnant when a routine prenatal checkup with her obstetrician led to the discovery of hypoplastic left heart syndrome in her unborn child.  Read the Duffys' story
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| Cardiology sites in the state. Regardless of where they live, our goal is to have the mothers of babies with “critical” heart disease deliver at MUSC in order to minimize postnatal transport and the resulting stresses, both medical and emotional. Mothers visit MUSC for detailed imaging of the baby’s heart and confirmation of the defect. During this visit, we coordinate the logistics of planning for the remainder of the pregnancy and delivery. This requires coordination between our maternal-fetal medicine experts, neonatologists, pediatric cardiologists and surgeons. After this visit, the mothers go back home and continue follow up with their local experts until the planned time of delivery at MUSC. Our Fetal Coordinator and Social Workers help families to obtain affordable housing during the days and weeks ahead. |
