Fetal Care Center Resources for Families

At the Colorado Fetal Care Center, we provide care for children with many serious conditions. Because these diagnoses can often be life-changing for all members of the household, we provide support for the entire family. From counseling services before birth to palliative care to educational resources, our team helps you feel supported and informed through every step of your journey.

Colorado Fetal Care Center family support services

Our care often starts weeks before your child is born and can continue well into childhood. Similarly, we provide resources for your family as soon as your care begins and as your baby grows.

Prenatal counseling and mental health support

The conditions we treat are often unexpected and serious. Our neonatal mental health support for your family includes prenatal (before birth) counseling, help with issues like postpartum (after birth) mood and anxiety disorders and everything in between.

Fetal care child life specialists

Sometimes expecting moms stay in our Center for an extended time before delivery for their health and safety and that of their babies. Older children may end up spending a lot of time in the hospital visiting. Our child life specialists help make this time fun and engaging for siblings through activities and visits to the many play areas, the T(w)een Zone and even our radio station, Seacrest Studios.

Palliative care

Our neonatal palliative care team provides compassionate support for families who receive a life-limiting diagnosis. We can help you choose a primary nurse care team to stay with you throughout your care, plan for delivery and understand your family’s goals.

Clinical social workers

While our fetal care experts care for you and your baby, our clinical social workers offer support services that help make your family’s journey easier. They can help you understand and process your child’s diagnosis and assist with logistical steps like adjusting to a hospital stay, connecting you with hospital and community resources, and coordinating your care and transition home.

Family Resource Center

Our Family Resource Center offers homey touches just steps from the Colorado Fetal Care Center to make your stay more comfortable. You’ll find a business center, kitchen and dining area, laundry facilities and private respite rooms with many of the amenities of home.

Temporary housing

Many families who travel from other states or stay with us for a long time find comfort in temporary housing close to our hospital on Anschutz Medical Campus. Ronald McDonald House Charities and Brent’s Place offer a home away from home for our families.

Many families in our Center also stay in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Learn about our NICU resources for families.

Fetal care family education

Because many families in our Center receive an unexpected diagnosis, they’re often trying to learn a lot in a short period of time. Our fetal care specialists are here for you. Throughout your journey, our team will inform you about your child’s diagnosis, their individualized care plan and all your care options. We’ll answer any questions you have — day or night.

In your first meeting you’ll see a full team of experts related to your baby’s diagnosis. Fetal doctors, surgeons, imaging specialists, nurses and more will help explain your baby’s condition in detail, explain your care options and answers questions. Throughout your time with us, you’ll meet with this same team of specialists to explain every treatment or test you receive.

Additional fetal care resources

Several organizations offer education and support for families with a fetal diagnosis.

• Fetal Health Foundation: Supporting families with a fetal diagnosis by funding research, increasing fetal syndrome awareness and sharing medical information
• Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine: A professional organization for fetal care specialists that also shares educational resources with families
• University of Denver Parentline: A free telehealth service offering psychotherapy via video chat and telephone to pregnant moms and families after birth
• PROMISE Perinatal Mood Disorders Clinic: Emotional health support for expectant and new mothers from the University of Colorado
• Connections Program: Clinical services to promote healthy coping and positive interactions for parents of babies with medical conditions

Browse our parenting articles for babies with medical conditions

Fetal care family journey

Our fetal care experts can tell you everything about your baby’s condition from a medical perspective. But they can’t always give you a family’s perspective on what the journey feels like. So we connected a family who received care in our Colorado Fetal Care Center with a family that was starting down that same path. See what the families learned from each other.