The Fetal Center at Vanderbilt
Compassionate care for mom and baby
If your baby is diagnosed with a problem before birth, the Fetal Center at Vanderbilt is where you'll find compassionate, research-based care. We offer our therapeutic and surgical services based on your and your baby's unique needs. Our team of maternal-fetal medicine, neonatal and pediatric surgery specialists will explain the care you need, then connect you with the experts at Vanderbilt who will work together for you.
We specialize in caring for expectant mothers and babies at risk for, or born with, congenital birth defects or abnormalities. We can refer you to our Pediatric Heart Institute if you have a condition that may lead to a congenital heart defect for your baby.
A transformative gift from the Junior League of Nashville provided the groundwork for our comprehensive maternal fetal care at Vanderbilt.
Conditions We Treat
We treat maternal fetal conditions, including:
- Abdominal mass
- Agenesis of the corpus callosum
- Anhydramnios
Meet Your Care Team
Your complete Fetal Center team includes sonographers, patient care coordinators and a social worker.
Christopher T. WoottenMD, MMHC, FACS, FAAP
- ENT Ear, Nose, Throat (Otolaryngology), Pediatric Otolaryngology
Martha E. DudekMS
- Genetics, Maternal Fetal Medicine (High Risk Pregnancy), Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Why Choose The Fetal Center at Vanderbilt
- Personal maternal-fetal care
At the Fetal Center at Vanderbilt, you'll undergo extensive screening, monitoring and possibly surgery, either in-utero or after birth. We tailor your care to your individual needs. You may see a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, sonographer or genetic counselor at a clinic in your community. Your baby may receive care at our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit after birth. We may also schedule you for one or more prenatal appointments at The Reed Family Maternal Fetal Clinic.
- Pioneers in fetal surgery
Vanderbilt pioneered the fetal repair of myelomeningocele, a type of spina bifida, in 1997. Today we are known worldwide for this surgery. We have performed more than 300 surgeries for myelomeningocele and open neural tube defects.
- Complex prenatal care in one place
The Reed Family Clinic provides families with better access to services. You can expect to receive most of your prenatal and fetal care here, such as ultrasounds, procedure rooms and genetic counseling.
- Working with your referring OB-GYN
We collaborate closely with your primary obstetrics provider by regularly sharing updates, images and test results. We encourage co-managed care when possible so your family can stay in your community.
- Same-day results
We want to leave your appointment with as much information as possible. So, we process all ultrasounds on site so you and your care team can develop plans in real time. Some genetic tests will take longer to come back.
- Post-natal care
We coordinate post-natal care for you and baby with appropriate specialists. Sometimes surgeries or additional procedures must happen after delivery, so we see you through the process and help you get familiar with the hospital. The same surgeons and specialists that care for your newborn will often follow your child for years afterward. We are the foundation of lifelong caregiver relationships.
- Innovative research
We take part in research projects with other fetal centers to better understand fetal congenital heart disease and fetal arrhythmias. This includes collaborative research projects through the Fetal Heart Society and the North American Fetal Therapy Network. Our ongoing research efforts are improving how we manage feeding and nutrition in newborns who need heart surgery.
A Tour of The Reed Family Maternal Fetal Clinic at Vanderbilt
Tests, Treatments and Services
Our prenatal diagnostic testing includes chromosomal analysis (karyotype, chromosomal microarray); sequencing options (exome sequencing, genome sequencing, NGS panels), and targeted variant analysis.
We offer noninvasive prenatal screening via cell-free DNA and expanded carrier screening.
Our fetal interventions include open fetal surgery for myelomeningocele, vesicoamniotic shunt placement, and selective fetoscopic laser photocoagulation (SFLP).
Learn more about some of our testing procedures at the links below.