Richard D. Wood Jr. Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Patient Stories

You will receive care from a highly skilled and compassionate team with a global reputation. This team helped shape modern fetal care and continues to improve techniques and treatments.

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Patient story

Arley’s Story: Fetal Surgery for Pericardial Teratoma

Experts from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia performed lifesaving fetal open heart surgery to remove a tumor growing on Arley’s heart.

Patient story

Birth and Separation of Conjoined Twins: Amari and Javar’s Story

Tim and Shaneka were unprepared to learn that pregnant Shaneka was carrying conjoined twins. Despite a scary initial diagnosis, they found hope of separation at CHOP.

Patient story

Hugh’s Story

Hugh was diagnosed with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) in utero. His parents traveled to the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), which has treated more CDH cases than any hospital in the world. Hugh is now a healthy 10-year-old who proudly claims Philly as his hometown, and the Eagles as his favorite team.

Patient story

Transposition of the Great Arteries: Mazan’s Story

When their son is born with a complex congenital heart defect, a Lehigh Valley family turns to CHOP for care.

Patient story

Siena’s Story: Fetal Surgery for Myelomeningocele

A life-altering experience — and life-changing care — at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Richard D. Wood Jr. Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment inspired Siena’s family to ease the burden for others.

Patient story

Given’s Story: Prenatal Care and Postnatal Surgery for Sacrococcygeal Teratoma

When Given’s parents learned their unborn baby had a sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT), a tumor on the tailbone, they sought help and hope at CHOP.

Patient story

Christian’s Story: 24 Years After Fetal Surgery for Spina Bifida

In 2000, Christian had fetal surgery for spina bifida at CHOP. Today, he’s an EMT. Follow his journey.

Patient story

Lyra’s Story: Celebrating the 5,000th Baby Born in the Garbose Family Special Delivery Unit

After learning their unborn daughter’s life was at risk from a tumor growing on her tailbone, Lyra’s parents found hope in the SCT experts at CHOP.

Patient story

Treatment for Congenital Hypothyroidism Before Birth: Jane’s Story

When a 20-week-old fetus was diagnosed with a large goiter, CHOP experts offered a novel solution – regular infusions of thyroid hormone into the umbilical cord.

Patient story

Asher’s Story: Fetoscopic Endoluminal Tracheal Occlusion for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

Asher came to CHOP for a fetal surgery procedure called FETO to treat his severe CDH before he was born, giving him the best chance to survive and thrive.

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Richard D. Wood Jr. Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Patient Stories

Arley’s Story: Fetal Surgery for Pericardial Teratoma

Birth and Separation of Conjoined Twins: Amari and Javar’s Story

Hugh’s Story

Transposition of the Great Arteries: Mazan’s Story

Siena’s Story: Fetal Surgery for Myelomeningocele

Given’s Story: Prenatal Care and Postnatal Surgery for Sacrococcygeal Teratoma

Christian’s Story: 24 Years After Fetal Surgery for Spina Bifida

Lyra’s Story: Celebrating the 5,000th Baby Born in the Garbose Family Special Delivery Unit

Treatment for Congenital Hypothyroidism Before Birth: Jane’s Story

Asher’s Story: Fetoscopic Endoluminal Tracheal Occlusion for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia