Fetal Health Foundation Founders, Lonnie and Michelle Somers, Announce New Executive Director, Talitha McGuinness
The Fetal Health Foundation (FHF) recently announced the appointment of Talitha McGuinness, to the position of executive director. Established in 2004, FHF is a nonprofit organization that offers resources and support to those experiencing severe pregnancy complications known collectively as fetal health syndromes.
Coping with the Unexpected When You’re Expecting – 3 Things to Keep in Mind
Expectant parents have a great deal on their agenda during the months leading up to delivery. With so much to do, managing the details can be overwhelming − especially when things don’t go according to plan. The truth is, whether you are a first-time parent or seasoned with experience, the journey can often be unpredictable.
Why We’re So Excited About The Latest Advances in Fetal Medicine
When my wife and I received the news that our baby girls had Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome, we were devastated. That was 15 years ago and there weren’t a lot of options or resources available for those diagnosed with a fetal syndrome. Fortunately for us, we...
Four Things to Consider When Dealing with the Uncertainty of TTTS
A scar blankets the wound that materializes from physical trauma endured in the past. Displayed on the body like artwork on a canvas, the design tells the story of a major life event. In the 2018 edition of Connexions magazine three women discuss their badges of honor...
Three Reasons it’s OK to be Picky When Selecting Your OB/GYN
After delivering baby number four, experiencing a twin birth, a water birth, and a C-section, I want expecting mothers to know what I didn’t during my first pregnancy: it’s OK to be picky when selecting your OB/GYN!
Twin Girls Teach Dad Valuable Life Lessons During Half-Marathon
Lonnie Somers experiences the celebration that comes with Father’s Day each and every day. Fifteen years ago, the marathon-running CFO and his pregnant wife, Michelle, raced 2,000 miles to Tampa, Fla. from Denver, Colo. in search of lifesaving help for their unborn twins.
Connexions Magazine 2018 is Live
Fetal Health Foundation Connexions magazine for 2018 has just been published online. The annual issue includes survivor photos, news on the latest grants, stories from families who have experiences fetal syndromes, and why you should be picky when choosing an OB.
Running With Your Children: The Best Life teacher
Fetal Health Foundation Founders Lonnie and Michelle Somers recently ran the Disney Half Marathon with their twin daughters and wrote about what the family learned through the training and race experience.
Fetal Health Foundation Awards $50,000 Research Grant to Further Study Life-Threatening Fetal Lung Complication
The recipient of the 2017 Brianna Marie Memorial Research Grant, awarded annually by the Fetal Health Foundation (FHF), is a team led by Dr. Ali Gholipour of Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. The group’s focus will be on improved imaging for the prenatal prognosis of incomplete development of the lungs, a life-threatening complication that is associated with several fetal syndromes.
New Technology for TRAP Syndrome Treatment
One unique opportunity I have as a co-founder of the Fetal Health Foundation is the opportunity to be in touch with doctors who are making great strides in fetal medicine. Parents come to us to help find the newest treatment options, and hope for their unborn babies....
Twin Teens Share the Message of Hope After Beating the Odds for Survival
November 12th Great Candy Run Benefits the Fetal Health Foundation Denver, Colo. (November 2, 2017) – Being the face on an organization is a big responsibility for anyone, but it's one that 14-year-old twins Ashley and Aspen Somers have accepted gladly since they...
Family of Triplets Honor Angel Sister at The Great Candy Run Minneapolis
Based on blood levels, the parents were told they were probably expecting one or two babies. However, an ultrasound at six and a half weeks showed one sac with one baby and a second sac with identical triplets. Read their TTTS story.
Meet The Sweet People – 2017 Great Candy Run Ambassador Team
We’re proud to announce that we have the SWEETEST people helping us spread the word about The Great Candy Run. The 5k family fun events takes place this year in Minneapolis on October 14th, in Denver on November 12th, and everywhere else world wide November 30- January 1, 2018.
One Family’s TTTS Nightmare Journey Stretching from Hong Kong to Kentucky
It’s not surprising that Mary Elliott is looking forward to spending a special Mother’s Day with her nine-month-old twin sons, Owen and Stevie. A little over a year ago, the first-time mom was struggling with the fact that her unborn babies might not survive. Mary and...
Connexions Spring 2017, a Magazine for the Fetal Health Community
We're thrilled to announce that the second annual issue of Connexions Magazine is now available. Here's some of what you'll find inside the Spring 2017 issue: Questions to ask during a high risk pregnancy How to capture great birth photos One family's story of fetal...
When Nerves Take Over: What to Expect at Your First Fetal Center Visit
When you have recently received some not so hopeful news about your pregnancy and your unborn child, nerves may have you on edge. Couple that with knowing you’re heading to consult with an unfamiliar maternal/fetal medicine specialist (who may be all the way across...
What are Doppler Ultrasound Tests?
Many patients ask this question so we asked Dr. Joel Schwartz to give us a better understanding of what a doppler ultrasound is, and what he can observe during this kind of special examination. Beyond the stunning 3-dmensional and 4-dimensional images that grab...
International Fetal Medicine Centers Join the Fetal Health Foundation
The Fetal Health Foundation is proud to share that seven more international centers have asked to be included in our database. Apollo Centre for Fetal Medicine, New Delhi India Corniche Hospital Fetal Medicine Unit, United Arab Emirates Heart of England, United...
Talking About Loss: What Families Wish You Knew
Do you have a friend or family member who lost their baby or babies? Do you struggle to know what to say and how to act around them? Many families go through this loss, and we asked them to share what they wish their family and friends knew. 1 - Parents who have lost...
How Can I Help? Creative Ways to Support the Foundation
“How can I help?” It’s a question we, at the Fetal Health Foundation (FHF), hear frequently. For some, the motivation to help comes because they have experienced a fetal syndrome; others reach out to show support for a friend or family member in the midst of a...
$50,000 Research Grant Deadline Approaching!
Brianna Marie Memorial Research Grant fund reopened with an increase to $50,000 and a new deadline of September 15th. The mission of the Brianna Marie Memorial Research Grant (managed by the Fetal Health Foundation) is to improve health outcomes for pregnancies and...
How to Obtain Social Security Disability Benefits for a Child with a Fetal Syndrome
We're often asked by parents about resources that are available to families. In a guest post, Bryan MacMurray shares information on how to obtain Social Security Disability Benefits for a child with a disability related to a fetal syndrome. Applying on Behalf...
Persistence Pays … From TTTS Survivor to Discovery Girl Role Model
12 year-old Aspen Somers contributes her first blog post to the Fetal Health Foundation.
Honoring Me on Mother’s Day In Celebration of My Angels
We are saddened by the loss of Ella and Grace to twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. Their mother, Jennifer, wrote this piece on Mother's Day, and she's allowing us to share it here. I am a mother. I have thought all morning about what today means to me and if I even...
10 Ways To Help a Friend During A Difficult Pregnancy
When a friend’s baby is diagnosed with a fetal syndrome or she is having a difficult pregnancy for other reasons, her family’s life turns upside down. It is often hard to know what to say - or how to help. Several of FHF's board members have experienced fetal...