Texas Children’s Fetal Center® is open 24/7, with physicians always available to take calls from referring doctors to discuss diagnoses and care plans.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Texas Children’s Fetal Center at 832-822-2229 or 1-877-FetalRx (338-2579) toll-free. Our phones are answered 24/7. Immediate appointments are often available.
Patients come to Texas Children’s Fetal Center from across the nation and around the world for evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of fetal abnormalities. We welcome an opportunity to visit with you if you are a patient or a referring physician.
Getting Started
If you are a patient and would like to schedule an appointment or learn more about our Fetal Center, call us at 832-822-2229. Our team is here to answer your questions and provide information about our program, our services, and how we can help your family.
There is no charge for the initial review of your records and ultrasounds, and most insurance companies will cover a second-opinion evaluation if that is what you seek. Our staff is here to help you obtain any necessary authorizations. If our specialists recommend fetal therapy, we will contact your insurance provider regarding coverage.
Consultation and Evaluation
It is difficult to fully evaluate a patient without a face-to-face consultation. The majority of patients referred to our team have a new finding of fetal concerns by ultrasound and can expect to be scheduled for imaging visits as well as consultations with specialists. These evaluations usually occur over one or two days. Some patients referred have a single consultation with our team, however, most patients with be seen several times during their pregnancy to evaluate the baby as it grows and develops.
Another group of patients are referred for consideration of fetal intervention or therapy for a developing issue with their baby. Most candidates for fetal therapy require an amniocentesis, a fetal echocardiogram and fetal MRI to fully assess the fetal abnormality and exclude other structural or chromosomal abnormalities. The decision to undergo fetal treatment is complex and an office consultation and evaluation is recommended whenever possible to help you and your care team make the most informed decisions. Additionally, you and your family will be paired with a nurse coordinator who is highly trained in the needs of patients with fetal abnormalities. From the moment you walk in the door until your treatment is complete, your nurse coordinator is there for you, providing a resource to turn to at every stage for medical information and answers to your questions, as well as a familiar face and support during each visit.
For Out-of-Town Patients
Traveling far from home can make medical treatment even more stressful. To make your journey easier, help is available 24/7 on everything from rental car discounts to places to stay or eat. For more information about traveling to Houston, call the Texas Children's Hospital Guest Services 4 Star Line at 832-824-7827.
