When something unexpected comes up during pregnancy, it can stop everything in its tracks. A routine scan, a screening result, or a family history suddenly turns into fear, confusion, and a thousand unanswered questions about what this means for your baby. In these moments, prenatal genetic testing and fetal treatment become ways to find clarity and options when everything feels uncertain. At Children’s Mercy’s Elizabeth J. Ferrell Fetal Health Center in Kansas City, care is designed to replace uncertainty with understanding: genetic counseling helps families process complex information, while detailed ultrasounds and diagnostic tests like chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis provide earlier answers about a baby’s health.
Expert diagnostic testing
Diagnostic testing at the center includes CVS and amniocentesis, procedures that can deliver definitive genetic information earlier in pregnancy. CVS (about 10–13 weeks) samples placental tissue for earlier results; amniocentesis (after ~15 weeks) analyzes amniotic fluid. Both are provided alongside counseling so families understand risks, timing, and implications—critical steps in prenatal genetic testing and fetal treatment planning.
Prenatal treatments that can improve outcomes before birth
For some conditions, information from prenatal genetic testing opens the door to fetal treatment that can change outcomes before delivery. Children’s Mercy has begun offering in utero therapies for select genetic diagnoses—for example, treating a pregnancy affected by spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) Type 1 with medication during pregnancy led to stronger movement and a vigorous cry at birth. The team is also exploring prenatal treatment research for conditions such as cystic fibrosis, aiming to improve organ function and long-term health from the earliest stages of life.
Coordinated care from diagnosis through delivery
When you need answers, the Children’s Mercy provides a clear, compassionate pathway from prenatal genetic testing and fetal treatment decisions through delivery and neonatal care. Multidisciplinary teams coordinate follow-up, specialized procedures, and research-driven options so families can plan and prepare with confidence and hope.
Discover how Children’s Mercy can provide answers and hope — learn about prenatal genetic testing, diagnostic options, and in‑utero treatments, and request an appointment or referral online.
