Fetal Heart Program

Fetal Heart Program

Specialized care for the smallest hearts

It can be a shock to learn that your unborn baby might have a heart problem. In addition to the normal stress of expecting a little one, a fetal heart condition can add another layer of complexity to your pregnancy and delivery plans.

At Children’s Wisconsin, we understand the fears and challenges facing families just like yours, and we are here to answer all of your questions and support you every step of the way. Each year, hundreds of families trust the experts in the Fetal Heart Program at the Herma Heart Institute to provide the best possible care through pregnancy, birth and beyond.

Fetal heart program by the numbers

  • 400+ fetal heart patients a year
  • 740+ fetal echocardiograms performed each year
  • 390+ heart surgeries a year

Why choose Children’s Wisconsin?

Outstanding outcomes

If your baby requires surgery, you’ll have access to world-class pediatric heart surgeons. The Herma Heart Institute consistently reports some of the best surgical outcomes for even the most complex types of heart disease. In addition to their excellent clinical skills, our pediatric cardiologists and heart surgeons are known for their kind and compassionate approach to care.

Nellie

"The staff at the Herma Heart Institute have gone above and beyond. The constant updates from the nursing staff during Nellie’s surgery allowed us to know her step by step progress in surgery and what was going on. The care of the nurses in the CICU made us confident that Nellie was in good hands, so we could go home at night to get rest. Nellie also worked with OT, PT, and a speech language pathologist who provided hands-on care to help Nellie recover.  We feel so lucky to have such amazing and talented doctors, nurses, and surgeons working with Nellie."

Advanced diagnostic tools

State-of-the-art fetal echocardiography equipment (also called fetal ultrasound or fetal echo) allows us to assess your unborn baby’s heart structure, rhythm and function. For certain conditions, our team might use fetal MRI and maternal hyperoxygenation testing to evaluate your baby’s heart and its effects on the lungs.

In addition, we are one of the few centers in the world to offer fetal magnetocardiography (fMCG), which helps diagnose fetal heart rhythm abnormalities with greater accuracy. This leads to more tailored treatment options for your baby. Families with high-risk pregnancies across the country, come to Children’s Wisconsin to access this groundbreaking tool and consult with our fMCG specialist, an internationally known expert in fetal heart rhythm problems.

On-site labor and delivery facilities

You can deliver your baby at the Froedtert Hospital Birth Center in Milwaukee, which has special expertise in high-risk pregnancies and allows the whole family to stay close even if your baby requires extra monitoring in our Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)  – the two hospitals are connected.

Compassionate care for the whole family

For families with older children, our child life specialists can offer reassurance and help kids of all ages understand your baby’s diagnosis. Big brothers and sisters can also enjoy art projects, games and toys in our Playroom of Hope sibling care room while the rest of the family recovers. The Daniel M. Soref Family Resource Center also offers a variety of services during your stay, including a business center and lending library.

Care close to home

Families in Northeast Wisconsin and the upper peninsula of Michigan have the option to see a fetal cardiologist at our Appleton Clinic and may be able to deliver at a hospital closer to home. Babies who are expected to require more care after birth will need to be delivered at our Milwaukee hospital.

Lifelong support

Our care doesn’t end after your baby is born. Your fetal cardiologist can remain your child’s heart doctor through childhood. Children’s Wisconsin is also home to one of the nation’s leading programs for adult congenital heart disease, which means your child can receive care here, from before birth through adulthood.

Commitment to innovation

Our fetal cardiologists are active in research with the Fetal Heart Society and other partners to better understand fetal heart disease and the best ways to treat it. Researchers at the Herma Heart Institute are also engaged in a wide range of research projects with an ambitious long-term goal: to end all congenital heart disease.

Contact us

To make an appointment or talk to a fetal cardiac expert at Herma Heart Institute, contact us or call:

(414) 266-2077