Compassionate Care for Fetal Conditions on the Central Coast

Early treatment for your unborn baby can help improve your child’s health well before they enter the world. Medical conditions and birth defects can jeopardize your baby’s well-being. Prompt, life-saving treatment can help avoid immediate and long-term complications.

At Dignity Health Central Coast, our trusted OB/GYNs understand that any issue with your unborn baby can cause concern and worry for you and your family. Throughout your pregnancy, you will receive personalized care with dignity, respect, and humankindness.

Find a Doctor today to discuss the possibility of fetal conditions on the Central Coast of California.

Diagnosis of Fetal Conditions at Dignity Health Central Coast

A prenatal ultrasound can uncover some signs and symptoms in your baby while you are still pregnant. Other conditions or symptoms are not as obvious until after your baby’s birth. Signs of a fetal condition, which can vary in severity, include brain damage, missing limbs or organs, difficulty eating or breathing, and problems with vision, hearing, and movement.

There are many different types of fetal conditions. They are grouped according to the areas affected in your baby’s body.

Fetal conditions of the joints, bones, and muscles (musculoskeletal system) include:

• Skeletal dysplasias
• Orthopedic abnormalities
• Sacrococcygeal teratomas

Fetal conditions of the digestive system can cause:

• Omphalocele
• Gastroschisis
• Meckel diverticulum

Fetal conditions of the brain and nervous system are:

• Hydrops fetalis
• Spina bifida
• Meningomyelocele
• Hyrocephaly
• Phenylketonuria
• Anencephaly
• Neural tube defects

Fetal conditions of the lungs and heart include:

• Congenital heart disease
• Lung masses
• Transposition of the great vessels
• Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation
• Hypoplastic left heart
• Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
• Pleural effusion

Other fetal conditions are:

• Fetal alcohol syndrome
• Cleft palate and lip
• Fetal anemia
• Amniotic band syndrome
• Urinary tract obstruction
• Cystic hygroma

Your doctor will talk with you about your baby’s condition and coordinate care every step of the way.

Causes, Treatment, & Prevention of Fetal Conditions

The cause of some fetal conditions are unknown. However, alcohol, illicit drug, and tobacco can cause health problems for your unborn baby. Chemical exposure, infection, and chromosomal or genetic abnormalities also can harm your developing fetus.

Talking to an expert on family planning and genetic counseling may help you and your partner understand specific genetic conditions that can have an impact on your pregnancy and fetal health.

If your doctor detects a congenital anomaly, your baby’s personalized treatment will depend on the particular condition and severity. You and your doctor will carefully review all treatment options so the best decision can be made for you and your baby.

These simple steps can help you have a healthy, happy pregnancy:

• Keep your immunizations up to date to reduce the risk of infection.
• Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs throughout your entire pregnancy.
• Take a daily multivitamin with at least 400 micrograms of folic acid to prevent certain birth defects.

For prevention and treatment of fetal conditions, schedule an appointment with a caring doctor at Dignity Health Central Coast.