Fetal Heart Program
At OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois, we’re dedicated to providing the best care for you and your baby, especially if your baby has a heart condition before birth. Our fetal heart program offers expert care and advanced treatments, working as a team to plan the best care from diagnosis to delivery and beyond. Our goal is to diagnose and treat your baby’s heart condition as early as possible.
What is fetal cardiology?
Fetal cardiology focuses on diagnosing and treating heart problems in babies before they are born. Using advanced imaging techniques, doctors can detect heart conditions while the baby is still in the womb. Early diagnosis allows parents and care teams to prepare for the baby’s needs at birth and, if necessary, plan interventions.
Collaboration with Maternal-Fetal Medicine
We work closely with expert maternal-fetal medicine specialists in the same building to prioritize you and your baby throughout pregnancy and beyond. By combining fetal cardiology and maternal care expertise, we coordinate treatments to improve outcomes and guide your family every step of the way.
Family Centered Care
At the heart of everything we do is you and your family. From your first visit to your baby’s birth, we make sure you feel supported every step of the way. Our team includes social workers who are here to help with any emotional, financial or practical concerns you may have.
We also offer our unique Heartbeat Bears, which are soft, comforting stuffed animals for your baby, giving you something special to hold onto during this journey.
Congenital Heart Disease and Pregnancy
Pregnancy can pose some risks for women with congenital heart disease (CHD). Our program is designed to manage the risks of pregnancy for moms with CHD while also addressing the potential impact on your unborn child. Our team is here to ensure both you and your baby receive the care and support you need for a healthy pregnancy.
What Sets Us Apart
You can be sure that you’re getting the best fetal heart care at OSF HealthCare. Find out how we work every day to give you and your baby the best heart care available.
Intersocietal Accreditation Commission
We’re proud to be the only fetal heart program outside of Chicago to be accredited by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC). This means that your baby will receive care from a team that follows best practices, uses the latest technology and is committed to providing the safest and most effective treatments. It also gives you peace of mind, knowing that our program is regularly reviewed and held to strict quality standards.
Fetal Heart Society Member
As a platinum member of the Fetal Heart Society, we’re part of an exclusive global network of leading centers focused on improving care for babies with heart conditions. This membership connects us with the latest research, clinical advancements and best practices in fetal cardiology. As a result, your baby gets access to the most up-to-date treatments and technologies available.
Being part of this network also means we have strong relationships with experts around the world, allowing us to share knowledge and collaborate on innovative solutions for complex heart conditions.
Fetal Z-Score Calculator
Our Fetal Z-Score Calculator helps us measure and track your baby’s heart health during pregnancy. This tool gives us accurate measurements that can help us make the best decisions about your baby’s care.
Ask for a Referral
Ask your OB/GYN or maternal-fetal specialist to refer you to the fetal heart program at OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois. Need an OB/GYN? Browse our directory.
Featured Providers
Cecilia A. Albaro, MD
Congenital Cardiac Disease,
Fetal Cardiology,
Pediatric Cardiology
Ernerio T. Alboliras, MD
Fetal Cardiology,
Congenital Cardiac Disease,
Pediatric Cardiology
Soujanya Bogarapu, MD
Congenital Cardiac Disease,
Fetal Cardiology,
Pediatric Cardiology
Kimberly L. French, APRN
Congenital Cardiac Disease,
Pediatric Cardiology
