Richard D. Wood Jr. Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment
Learning that your unborn baby has a birth defect is overwhelming. It can turn a time of joy into a time of worry. Know that you are not alone. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Richard D. Wood Jr. Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment is here. We will support you every step of the way, through prenatal diagnosis, pregnancy management, fetal surgery (if necessary), delivery and care after birth. Founded in 1995, we are the largest and highest-volume fetal program in the world. Our expertise and experience are unmatched.
Talk to a fetal therapy nurse coordinator today at 800-468-8376. We will answer as many questions as we can and help make a plan for next steps.
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Fetal Diagnosis and Fetal Surgery: The World’s Most Experienced Fetal Care Center Stephanie, mom: Even though she hadn't been born yet, we wanted her to have the absolute best care possible.
Lori Howell, DNP: When families call us, they have received devastating news and they call us really for hope. We focus on babies with a birth defect. This is what we do.
Dr Adzick: As a patient, as a mother carrying a baby with a birth defect, you want the best possible care from an incredibly caring team. That's what we provide.
Julie Moldenhauer, MD: We have a very large multidisciplinary team that has specialists from pretty much any specialty that you could imagine in conjunction with prenatal diagnosticians, maternal fetal medicine specialists and genetic specialists who are able to provide a very comprehensive and detailed evaluation of the fetus and provide the parents with the best family-centered care that we can, going forward.
Dr Adzick: We not only do prenatal diagnosis, but we also do, in highly selective circumstances, fetal surgery.
Julie Moldenhauer, MD: The hope with prenatal surgery is that we can alter the course in a long-term outcome.
Stephanie: From the very beginning, CHOP offered us hope. They showed us that there was a different way, there was a better way.
Dr. Adzick: We do our research, we do our investigation because we have an obligation to perform research. Research represents hope.
Lori Howell, DNP: The Garbose Family Special Delivery Unit was the first birthing unit dedicated exclusively to healthy mothers whose unborn baby has a birth defect.
Susan Spinner, MSN: The unit was designed so that babies that are born that have birth defects, have accessibility to a very specialized team of doctors and nurses.
Lori Howell: Every day, I am in awe of what our team does. Families trust us with their lives.
Susan Spinner: This work that we do is life changing, miracle making work. We love what we do and it's an honor and a privilege to be able to be part of this journey with our patients.
Stephanie: Each child has the ability to be incredible, just like Miah. No matter what function they come out with, they will be an incredible child.
How we serve you
Our fetal center offers highly specialized care for two patients: mother and baby. Here, you have access to the most advanced diagnostic tests, prenatal management, fetal surgery, labor and delivery care, counseling and support services, and expert postnatal care. We are the only program to provide seamless, comprehensive care in one location. We coordinate all aspects of care and partner closely with your physicians back home to make a challenging time a little easier for your entire family.
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Fetal Heart Program -
Fetal Imaging -
Fetal Surgery -
Fetal Surgery for Sacrococcygeal Teratoma -
Fetal Surgery for Spina Bifida (MMC) -
Garbose Family Special Delivery Unit -
Neonatal Surgical Team -
Newborn/Infant Intensive Care Unit at CHOP -
Prenatal Genetic Counseling -
Psychosocial Support Services -
SDU Newborn Stabilization Team
Conditions we treat
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Bronchogenic cyst -
Bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS) -
CCAM/CPAM -
Cleft lip and palate -
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) -
Congenital high airway obstruction syndrome (CHAOS) -
Congenital lobar emphysema (CLE) -
Conjoined twins -
Fetal anemia -
Fetal giant neck masses -
Fetal lung lesions -
Gastroschisis -
Generalized arterial calcification of infancy (GACI) -
Hybrid lesions -
Hydrocephalus -
Laryngeal atresia -
Lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO) -
Omphalocele -
Pleural effusion -
Sacrococcygeal teratoma -
Selective intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR) -
Skeletal dysplasias -
Small bowel atresia -
Spina bifida -
Twin anemia polycythemia sequence (TAPS) -
Twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence (TRAP) -
Twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS)
Why choose us
The Wood Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment offers exceptional care for babies with prenatal birth defects. Since 1995, we have helped more than 35,756 referred; more than 2,565 fetal surgeries. We see more patients and do more fetal surgeries than any hospital in the world.
Meet your team
You will receive care from a highly skilled and compassionate team with a global reputation. We have the largest team of fetal experts in the world. This team helped shape modern fetal care and continues to improve techniques and treatments.
Our research
Every day, we search for new ways to improve outcomes and treat life-threatening conditions before and after birth. We are international leaders in research that will lead to new and better treatments for many birth defects.
Resources for families
Learning your baby has a birth defect is a life-changing experience. We want you to know that you are not alone. To help you find answers to your questions, we've created this list of educational health resources.
Fellowships and other resources for professionals
Everything you need to support your patient’s health, created and updated by our CHOP community of experts.
Our Center also offers education and training programs.
Patient stories
Events
Fetal Firesides Virtual CE Lecture Series
Wednesday, Nov 05, 2025 - Tuesday, Jun 30, 2026
Fetal Family Reunion
Sunday, May 31, 2026
What to expect
We understand the anxiety you may be feeling and want you to have the information you need as quickly as possible. Here's what you can expect every step of the way.
Our experience: by the numbers
No other fetal center sees the number of patients we see. We diagnose and treat complex conditions every day. This depth of experience allows us to provide the best possible outcomes for you and your baby. Take a closer look at our volumes.
Your donation changes lives
Philanthropic donations fuel every breakthrough discovery. With your help, we can continue making advances that will deliver the best possible outcomes for babies with birth defects.
