Fetal Diagnosis and Care

The Fetal Care Program at Ochsner provides care for:

• Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH): A birth defect of the diaphragm
• Cleft lip and palate: A split in the upper lip or palate
• Gastroschisis: A type of hernia or rupture where the baby’s abdominal organs spill outside the body into the amniotic fluid through a hole on the right side of the belly button
• Twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS)
• Bladder outlet obstruction: A condition where the flow of urine from the bladder into the urethra is blocked
• Congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM): Abnormal development of the lungs
• Sacrococcygeal teratoma: A rare tumor that develops at the bottom of the spine
• Omphalocele: A birth defect where the internal organs protrude through the belly button
• Fetal alloimmunization/Rh disease: Occurs when a pregnant Rh-negative mother's immune system develops antibodies against the Rh-positive blood of her fetus
• Congenital heart defects

Ochsner offers:

• The latest ultrasound technology
• Diagnosis and treatment of fetal anomalies
• Diagnosis of fetal chromosomal problems
• Management of multiple pregnancies
• A level III neonatal intensive care (NICU)

The Ochsner fetal care team uses advanced techniques to provide accurate diagnoses and effective treatments. These include procedures like amniocentesis (testing amniotic fluid), cervical cerclage (placing a stitch or band around the cervix so it doesn't open too early in pregnancy), and ultrasounds. They are also certified to perform nuchal translucency (an ultrasound to test the fluid behind the fetus' neck), ensuring the highest level of care for every patient.

Ask your doctor for more information or call our offices to schedule an appointment.

Ochsner offers a variety of prenatal genetic studies that allow us to diagnose a number of conditions that lead to high-risk pregnancies, including:

• Cystic fibrosis
• Down syndrome
• Hemophilia
• Muscular dystrophy
• Sickle cell anemia
• Tay-Sachs disease
• Trisomy 13
• Trisomy 18

Couples who choose to have these studies often benefit from genetic counseling. Our compassionate, knowledgeable team is here to answer your questions.

A neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is a highly specialized center for premature and special needs newborns and infants. Our staff is dedicated to the health and well-being of your baby. Partnering with our colleagues in general and high-risk obstetrics, Ochsner's neonatologists are prepared for the best outcome of each pregnancy.