Fetal Specialty Clinic

Experienced Fetal Care in Central Massachusetts and Beyond

Discovering a fetal concern during pregnancy can be overwhelming. The Fetal Specialty Clinic at UMass Memorial Health is here to support you. We provide expert diagnoses, compassionate guidance and coordinated specialty services — all in one place. Our multispecialty team helps you navigate your pregnancy, plan for delivery and prepare for your baby’s needs after birth.

Fetal Conditions We Treat

Fetal conditions are health problems that occur before birth. They can affect a baby’s anatomy or other aspects of their health, requiring monitoring, follow-up care or surgery.

Common fetal conditions we evaluate and manage include:

• Abdominal masses
• Abdominal wall defects, such as omphalocele and gastroschisis
• Chromosome anomalies, such as Down syndrome (trisomy 21)
• Cleft lip and palate
• Clubfoot
• Congenital heart defects

Nationally Recognized for Pregnancy Care

U.S. News & World Report has recognized UMass Memorial Medical Center for excellence in pregnancy care. As part of the pregnancy and childbirth team, our fetal specialists are dedicated to helping families have healthy outcomes. Find out more about our pregnancy and childbirth services.

Fetal Care Services

The Fetal Specialty Clinic operates one afternoon per week. We consolidate all your care into a single visit whenever possible. Services we offer include:

• Comprehensive maternal-fetal medicine evaluations
• High-level prenatal imaging, including fetal ultrasound, MRI and echocardiography (echo)
• Genetic counseling and testing
• Consultations with pediatric specialists who will care for your baby after birth
• Prenatal care planning
• Delivery planning with neonatology
• Referral coordination for fetal surgery when needed

Typically, our patients need either:

• One time consultations: For certain fetal conditions, you may need only one visit for counseling, imaging and consultation with the appropriate specialist.
• Ongoing care: Some conditions require continued monitoring, planning and coordination throughout pregnancy. Our clinic provides all the care you need in one place.

We know you may feel worried and uncertain. Our streamlined approach provides clarity about your baby’s condition and next steps as quickly and conveniently as possible.

Our Fetal Specialists

At UMass Memorial, you have access to a large team of experts. Our Fetal Specialty Clinic is led by maternal-fetal medicine physicians with expertise in diagnosing and managing fetal conditions. Other team members you may work with:

• Nurse practitioners assist our physicians to support your medical care.
• Nurse navigators reach out after diagnosis, provide parent education and coordinate appointments and referrals.
• Social workers offer emotional support and connect you to needed resources.

You may also meet with one or more pediatric specialists, depending on your baby’s diagnosis. For your convenience, you can meet with multiple providers during your visit to the clinic, either in person or via telehealth. In some cases, you may need a separate appointment to see a specialist in their office. Our multispecialty partners include:

• Cardiology
• Craniofacial surgery
• Infectious diseases
• Neonatology
• Nephrology
• Neurology
• Neurosurgery
• Orthopedics
• Pediatric palliative care
• Pediatric surgery
• Urology