Fetal Cardiology

When obstetricians have concerns about how a baby’s heart is developing, they refer expectant mothers to CHKD — home to the region’s only laboratory accredited in fetal echocardiography.

At CHKD, families are cared for by a specialized prenatal team that includes a pediatric cardiologist, specially trained pediatric sonographers, and a social worker. Together, this team works to make an accurate diagnosis and partners closely with families and referring providers to create personalized care plans for pregnancy, delivery, and after birth.

Many of the mothers we serve are patients of the Maternal‑Fetal Medicine Department at EVMS/ODU, the region’s referral center for high‑risk pregnancies. In addition to seeing expectant mothers at the CHKD Norfolk Office, we also participate in a joint clinic with EVMS/ODU MFM each week. Patients are cared for by a fetal cardiologist, fetal echocardiographer, and Maternal fetal medicine physician. Patients also have access to a genetic counselor and our Fetal Care Center Coordinator.

Most deliveries take place at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, which offers a perinatal intensive care unit for high‑risk and complex births. CHKD’s neonatal intensive care unit is directly connected to this area by an interior hallway, allowing CHKD neonatologists to attend deliveries and begin specialized care for babies immediately in the delivery room.

Our Care Team