The Penn State Health Children’s Hospital Approach to Complex Fetal Care
We know finding out your unborn child has complications or a genetic condition can twist one of the happiest times of your life into one filled with fear and uncertainty. Since 1972, Penn State Health has been focused on providing families with the expert level of care they need to navigate complex pregnancies and fetal care.
Our multidisciplinary team of maternal fetal medicine specialists, pediatric surgeons, dedicated nurse coordinators and mental health professionals work together to provide families with information and emotional support throughout pregnancy, delivery and follow-up care.
Support for mom and baby
Our team isn’t just focused on fetal diagnoses and treatments. At the Complex Fetal Care Center, we’re committed to helping your entire family. We’ll assign your family a dedicated nurse coordinator to help you navigate each step of your journey with your care team. They’ll be there to answer any questions and stay with you throughout your entire pregnancy.
Because your family’s mental health and well-being during this time is important to us, we’ll also provide you access to the region’s only dedicated perinatal psychiatric specialist, Jennifer Stoner. From helping siblings cope to providing emotional support for parents, this highly trained provider offers holistic care for everyone.
Best survival rates in the nation
Many divisions of specialized care at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital have repeatedly been ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
Our Children’s Heart Group is ranked among the top 15 in the country by the Society for Thoracic Surgeons for survival rates after a heart operation.
Caring for the tiniest patients and mom in one place
Delivering at the Penn State Health Children’s Hospital Women and Babies Center allows both mother and baby to be cared for in one convenient location. Our labor and delivery unit is located on the seventh floor of the hospital, and our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is located just above on the eighth floor.
The hospital’s Level IV NICU - the highest level of critical care for newborns - is among the most advanced on the East Coast. It features a hybrid-room model with both private and six-bedded rooms, shown to improve babies’ brain development. Board-certified and board-eligible neonatologists provide expert care 24/7.
Pediatric Specialists
We specialize in:
The Complex Fetal Care Center at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital offers support and guidance to families, while providing the best care for mothers and babies when unexpected complications arise during pregnancy and after delivery. Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is a regional Complex Fetal Care Center providing the most advanced care for mothers and babies.
Meet the Team
Jaimey M. Pauli, MD
Complex Fetal Care Team
Laura Bixler
Interim Manager, Complex Fetal Care Center Operations Coordinator
Allison Irvin, BSN, RN
Complex Fetal Care Center, Nurse Coordinator
Amanda Kumler, BSN, RN
Complex Fetal Care Center, Nurse Coordinator
Rebekah Hudspath, BSN, RNC-OB
Complex Fetal Care Center Nurse Coordinator
Jennifer Stoner, MA
Complex Fetal Care Center Clinical Counselor
Conditions Treated
We provide care for:
- Infections
- Genetic and birth defects
- Premature birth
- Heart defects
- Maternal medical conditions that affect pregnancy
- Suspected or confirmed fetal anomalies
Kourtney Cannon, Complex Fetal Care Center patient and Dr. Jaimey Pauli, Medical Director, Labor and Delivery
Support Groups
Support groups provide children and their families an opportunity to connect with others in similar situations. Learn more about the support groups offered at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital.
Convenient Locations
Find the care your family needs, close to home, at one of our many locations throughout central Pennsylvania.
Find a location near youPatient Education and Resources
Abdominal Wall Defects
Chromosomal Conditions
- Digital and print resources for genetic conditions
- SOFT inspires hope and respects all on their Trisomy journey
- Other books on Down Syndrome
- Bloom, Finding Beauty in the Unexpected by Kelle Hampton
- Babies with Down Syndrome: A New Parents’ Guide by Susan J Skallerup
- Gifts: Mothers Reflection on How Children with Down Syndrome Enrich Their Lives by Kathryn Lynard
- Uncomplicated Life: A Father’s Memoir of His Exceptional Daughter by Paula Daugherty
Clubbed Foot
Hummingbird Program
The Hummingbird Program began in 2007, thanks to the generosity of Ed and Jeanne Arnold. Our team cares for children living with serious, life-limiting conditions.
Children with complex health problems face many challenges. Our palliative care helps to ease pain, manage symptoms, and improve quality of life for the children and families we serve. We also care for the professional caregivers who care for these special children.
Maternal Fetal Medicine
Maternal Fetal Medicine provides special care and delivery when serious illness or increased pregnancy risk affect women and/or their unborn children. We can provide consultation, specific services, or care and delivery when combined maternal fetal medicine and intensive neonatal care, including immediate neonatal surgery, are necessary.