Some unborn babies have medical conditions that require surgery while still in the womb or immediately following birth. Specialists at the Fetal Care Center excel at performing the most complex fetal surgeries. We treat certain serious fetal conditions early to increase your unborn baby’s chances of survival and good health after birth.
We know this can be a frightening time, and our fetal care team is always by your side. We make sure you understand the entire treatment process so you can make the best decision for your unborn baby.
Fetal Surgery at the Fetal Care Center
Whenever possible, surgeons at the Fetal Care Center use minimally invasive procedures during fetal surgeries. These procedures require smaller incisions and have less risk of complications for you and your unborn baby.
Some conditions such as spina bifida may require open surgery, meaning doctors operate on the unborn baby through an incision much like a cesarean section, or C-section.
The open fetal surgery and fetoscopic-based interventions available at the Fetal Care Center include, but are not limited to:
Every fetal surgery involves a comprehensive team of specialists and surgeons for both mom and baby. The operating room is directly connected to our St. Louis Children’s Hospital Level IV NICU, the highest level of care available for baby, if any complications arise.
After Fetal Surgery
Any type of fetal surgery increases the risk for complications, especially early labor and delivery. You can expect to take these precautionary steps:
Pediatric Surgery at St. Louis Children’s Hospital
Many conditions require treatment after your baby is born. We partner with WashU Medicine pediatric surgeons at St. Louis Children’s Hospital to provide comprehensive surgery options for newborns.
Learn more about pediatric surgical services at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
Contact Us
To make an appointment with a WashU Medicine fetal care specialist at the Women & Infants Center, call 866-867-3627.
- Fetoscopic and open fetal myelomeningocele (MMC) repair (spina bifida): Research from the National Institutes of Health suggests that closing the spinal opening before birth improves the chances that a child will walk independently. Fetal surgery also reduces the need to divert, or shunt, fluid away from the brain.
- Fetoscopic laser photocoagulation for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome: A minimally invasive fetal surgery in which a laser seals abnormal blood vessel connections between identical twins sharing a placenta.
- Open fetal lung mass resection
- Open fetal sacrococcygeal teratoma resection
- Fetoscopic lysis of amniotic bands: A minimally invasive procedure to release constricting amniotic bands that are threatening the development or survival of your fetus.
- Shunting: Your doctor inserts a shunt, or hollow tube, into your unborn baby to drain excess fluid from one area of the body to another.
- Following surgery, you stay overnight or longer at the Women & Infants Center.
- After discharge, your doctor closely monitors your health and the health of your unborn baby for the remainder of your pregnancy.