Family-Centered Support Services
The staff at the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment will be your main contact during your time at Children's Hospital, taking care of all your needs. We will schedule your appointments, answer your questions and connect you with helpful resources.
These are some of the many resources offered to families receiving care at the Center.
Social work
We offer each family social work services during prenatal treatment, at the time of delivery, and in the newborn/infant intensive care unit (N/IICU) or cardiac intensive care unit (CICU). The social worker can help families cope with their baby’s hospitalization, as well as any special circumstances they may have; help the family locate resources, both at CHOP and once they return home; and may remain involved with the family after discharge.
Lactation services
Our team of lactation specialists and trained breastfeeding resource nurses helps parents-to-be learn about pumping and breastfeeding.
Patients meet with a lactation specialist during one of their prenatal visits, learn about starting milk production by pumping, and arrange for breast pump use at home or at the Ronald McDonald House.
The most advanced electric pumps are available to patients in the Garbose Family Special Delivery Unit, N/IICU and CICU.
Connelly Resource Center for Families
The Connelly Resource Center for Families, located on the eighth floor of the Main Building, features information on health conditions, general interest books, magazines and videos for adults and children, and computer stations with Internet access. Children’s Hospital also offers free, hospital-wide wireless Internet access.
Designed by families and professionals, the Connelly Center is dedicated to meeting families’ special needs. At the Family Learning Center within the Connelly Center, families learn how to care for their children at home.
Family resource coordinators
Family resource coordinators in the Connelly Center and the Family Hospitality Suite on the second floor of the Wood Center are available to help families understand the many services offered at CHOP.
Child life
The specially trained Child Life staff can help children cope with their mother’s and sibling’s hospitalization, help prepare children for the medical equipment they will observe around their brother or sister, and help families answer difficult questions or cope with new behaviors children may be demonstrating at home. In the event of an infant’s death, they can assist in making mementos and provide grief support to siblings.
Spiritual care
Professionally trained chaplains are available to address the religious and spiritual needs of families at all times. Our chaplains also work with clergy in the community and representatives of various religious organizations to help families observe religious rituals and spiritual activities. The Schlimm Center for Prayer and Reflection, our nondenominational chapel, is open 24 hours a day and is located on the first floor of the Main Building, near the cafeteria.
Perinatal palliative care
If a family learns before delivery that their baby is not likely to survive, they may wish to be introduced to our perinatal palliative care program. Team members, including a neonatologist and a social worker, will meet with the family ahead of time to help them deal with their feelings and explore options that may be meaningful to them. Families may also choose to include siblings, other family members or clergy as they work with the palliative care team. More details can be found at perinatal palliative care.
Welcome center
As you travel throughout the Wood Center, we invite you to visit the Auto Dealers Caring for Kids Foundation Welcome Center on the second floor. The Center's representative can give you directions and answer common questions about the hospital and local resources. You can also use the information kiosks to quickly locate places and services throughout the Hospital. Please feel free to stop by between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Contact Us
- 1-800-468-8376
- (1-800-IN-UTERO)
- Contact Us Online