Fetal Cardiologists Provide Crucial in Utero Monitoring

When the Morenos learned their son would be born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, they were quickly connected with Eileen Stewart, M.D., a pediatric and fetal cardiologist at Pediatrix® Pediatric and Congenital Cardiology Associates of Texas in Austin. Dr. Stewart said fetal cardiologists like to get involved as early as possible before birth and then follow that baby through the initial transition. Before birth, "we try to counsel (parents) on the nuts and bolts of the condition and other things that can be affected," she said. While the baby is in utero, "we're stuck with watching and waiting," said Dr. Stewart said. During this time, she shared that she's looking at changes in the heart and preparing the parents for what will happen at birth, as well as getting the surgical team and neonatologists ready for the arrival of the baby.

View the full story on Austin American-Statesman