Center for Fetal and Neonatal Care

Your dedicated care coordinator will be in touch throughout every phase of your baby’s care. We want to make sure you have a full understanding of your baby’s condition, treatment options, care plan, the team involved and next steps.

Here are some of the key topics we’ll talk through as we navigate your baby’s care journey together:

  • All the providers involved in your baby’s care – we’ll go over who’s on your team and how to reach them
  • Any concerns from your routine ultrasound or obstetrician appointment
  • Any ways your baby’s condition might affect your family, including siblings and loved ones
  • Details about your baby’s medical diagnosis and what it means for their health and development
  • Hospital and community resources to help your family feel more supported and informed
  • Lab tests and imaging services you may need, including what they’re for and how to prepare
  • Lifestyle changes you may be facing and how to cope with them
  • Preferences you have for your baby’s birth plan and delivery location
  • Questions or worries you may have throughout the process
  • Support you need to take care of yourself during this journey

Questions to Ask Your Provider

When you first learn that your baby may have a medical concern, it’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed or unsure of what to ask. The questions below are a starting point to help guide conversations with your medical providers and pediatric specialists.

If anything is unclear or you have other questions along the way, you can always reach out to your dedicated care coordinator. The Emily Center is another resource we offer for clear, reliable health information.

  • How many procedures has Phoenix Children’s performed in the past year?
  • How much experience does the doctor or surgeon have with this procedure?
  • What are the outcomes of this procedure at Phoenix Children’s, and how do these results compare to other hospitals?
  • What are the most common complications that my child may face, and how frequently do they happen?
  • Does Phoenix Children’s share its outcomes with national data programs, such as the STS (Society of Thoracic Surgeons) Database or Impact Registry, to help improve care? 
    • If yes, is this information available to the public, and where?
  • How many days will my child be hospitalized, from preparation and treatment to recovery?
  • What are my options for when, where and how I deliver my baby?
  • Will I be able to hold my baby before or after the procedure?
  • Will I be able to breastfeed my baby after delivery and surgery?
  • Will my baby have feeding issues or need a special diet?
  • What support is available for me and my family?
    • Does Phoenix Children’s provide financial, nutritional and mental health support?
  • What are the expected long-term symptoms for my baby’s condition?
  • What does the recovery process look like after treatment?
  • What is my baby’s life expectancy?
  • Are there possible lifelong issues that I should be aware of?
  • As my child grows, what can I expect for their development as they enter school-age, teen years and adulthood?
  • As my child gets older, how do we transition from pediatric to adult care?

If any of these answers leaves you feeling more concerned, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Your care coordinator can connect you with counseling and support services both here at Phoenix Children’s and in your local community. You don’t have to face this alone.

 

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We truly appreciate you trusting us with your baby’s care. If you have any questions, please call 602-933-4411 or email fetalcarecenter [at] phoenixchildrens.com.