Patient Resources | Overview
Boston Children's Fetal Cardiology Program offers support to help your child and the entire family. The following information and resources will help you and your family better understand what's involved in your child's care.
Questions to ask at your ultrasound
Did you know that at least half of all babies born with a heart condition are not diagnosed during pregnancy? This short video highlights three simple questions to ask at your 18- to 22-week screening ultrasound to make sure your baby’s heart is healthy.
3 things to know about your baby's heart
Critical information about your baby’s heart can help you determine if your baby has a heart defect. Read this one-sheeter before your next prenatal appointment.
An expectant parent’s guide to HLHS and other single ventricle defects
It’s sometimes difficult to remember every detail of a fetal cardiology consult, so we’ve prepared everything you need to know in “An Expectant Parent’s Guide to Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and Other Single Ventricle Defects” — written by our Fetal Cardiology coordinator, Terra Lafranchi, NP-C, and available in English and Spanish.
Travel
- Traveling to Boston for care
- The Hale Family Center for Families: Dedicated to supporting patient families through their experience at Boston Children's Hospital, from before they arrive to after they return home, the Hale Family Center for Families is available to answer questions, provide resources and offer guidance.
- Housing: When your baby is in the hospital, deciding where you and your family are going to sleep can be a very important decision. For parents or guardians who want to remain close by, there is a space in most rooms for one person and some additional rooms for a second person (ICU families only) to sleep in the hospital. For families coming from more than 50 miles away, our Patient Family Housing Program provides affordable accommodations in a home-like environment.
What to bring to the hospital
The comforts of home can feel far away when a family is staying in the hospital. This list of recommended items was created by a patient's mother.
Your baby's stay in the CICU
After your baby is born — or after a heart surgery or other heart procedure — your baby will be taken to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU). Learning about the CICU journey in advance can help you feel more comfortable and informed about what to expect. This video provides a detailed overview of the unit, including the physical layout, the staff you will meet and the machines that will help your baby recover. You may also tour our CICU before your baby is born. Download the CICU guidelines.
Take a tour of our CICU
Promoting infant development
We strive to support your baby's developmental progress by monitoring, detecting and treating concerns as early as possible. Download these tips to help play a crucial part in promoting your infant's development while they are in the hospital.
Lactation support
At Boston Children’s Hospital, we recognize that breastfeeding is important to families and the health of their children. Lactation Specialists work as part of the healthcare team to promote and support breastfeeding. Download this brochure on Lactation Support for Fetal Cardiology Patients.
Support for your other children
Brothers or sisters will experience and express their feelings about a sibling's health care needs and hospitalization in unique ways. See more about how to understand and help.