The Midwest Fetal Care Center (MWFCC) is a collaboration between two powerhouse Twin Cities health systems that brings together a team of highly trained maternal-fetal medicine experts from Allina Health and fetal diagnostic and interventional specialists from Children’s Minnesota.
Open since 2008, the MWFCC is a leader in fetal diagnosis, fetal intervention and comprehensive fetal care for unborn babies with abnormalities.
Between Jan. 1, 2015, and Dec. 21, 2018, the MWFCC has evaluated nearly 5,000 fetal cases and performed more than 200 total fetal procedures. Procedures including minimally invasive fetal surgery, open fetal surgery, fetal blood transfusions, genetic sampling, advanced fetal imaging and more.
The Midwest Fetal Care Center treats twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome
Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is a condition that develops in about 10 to 15 percent of pregnancies with two or more identical babies (usually twins) that share the same placenta. If left untreated, this condition can be life-threatening to both babies. But, the MWFCC is able to provide surgical intervention for TTTS.
The best way to treat TTTS is to perform a fetoscopic laser ablation (FLA), which is a minimally invasive procedure done to help both fetuses survive. The MWFCC performed 72 laser surgeries between July 1, 2017, and Sept. 30, 2019, with 62 delivered and 10 ongoing pregnancies.
The MWFCC program has become one of the highest volume treatment centers for TTTS in the nation because of its top medical experts in the field of maternal-fetal medicine and fetal diagnosis and therapy.
Here is a summary of Midwest Fetal Care Center’s current clinical outcomes data for the treatment of TTTS.
Repairing Myelomeningocele (MMC) and Spina Bifida
In 2016, The Midwest Fetal Care Center performed their first fetal repair of myelomeningocele (MMC), the most severe form of spina bifida.
The MMC fetal surgery center is led by a team of medical experts in the field of fetal diagnosis and therapy. As of January 2020, the Midwest Fetal Care Center has evaluated more than 52 women from across the Upper Midwest for fetal MMC repair; 37 of these patients met fetal surgery criteria, and 33 chose to undergo open fetal MMC repair.
Here is a summary of Midwest Fetal Care Center’s Myelomeningocele (MMC) repair outcomes.
SMFM’s 40th Annual Pregnancy Meeting
The MWFCC team is attending the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine’s (SMFM) 40th annual pregnancy meeting in Grapevine, Texas, from Feb. 3-8, 2020. This annual meeting is a place for leaders and colleagues in maternal-fetal medicine get together and learn about cutting-edge obstetrics updates through workshops, forums and presentations.
The MWFCC will be attending sessions and workshops but will also have a booth staffed with experts in the exhibit hall. Saul Snowise, MD, MFM, fetal interventionist at Allina Health and James Fisher, MD, pediatric surgeon at Children’s Minnesota, will be at the MWFCC’s booth at the conference. Stop by and talk with them:
- Wednesday, Feb. 5: 6 – 8 p.m.
- Thursday, Feb. 6: 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 3 – 5:30 p.m.
- Friday, Feb. 7: 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Choosing the best care for your baby at the Midwest Fetal Care Center
We believe every baby deserves a chance to thrive and this team of highly trained experts in maternal-fetal medicine and pediatric care will support you and your baby every step of the way, from diagnosis to recovery.
Learn more about what you can expect from the Midwest Fetal Care Center and their exceptional outcomes.