Advanced fetal interventions through partnership lead to exceptional outcomes for mother and baby   

When high-risk pregnancies and the most complex fetal conditions occur, the team at the Midwest Fetal Care Center (MWFCC) offers mothers and babies a continuum of care that is among the best in the nation. The MWFCC is the only advanced fetal care center in the Upper Midwest – and one of the only centers in the U.S. – to offer prenatal diagnosis and fetal interventions like fetoscopic myelomeningocele repair (repair of spina bifida). Experts at the MWFCC are trained to treat any and all types of conditions that affect mothers and their unborn babies.  

About the Midwest Fetal Care Center

The MWFCC is a collaboration between two of the best-known names in pregnancy, fetal and birth care: Children’s Minnesota and Allina Health. The MWFCC brings together a multi-disciplinary team of Fetal Intervention trained physicians from maternal-fetal medicine,   pediatric surgery, pediatric neurosurgery, pediatric ENT, pediatric cardiology, and neonatology. The MWFCC is located at The Mother Baby Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  

Since opening in 2008, the MWFCC has grown into a national referral center with world-class outcomes. Between 2016 and July 2022, the MWFCC evaluated over 7,500 fetal cases and performed over 350 total fetal procedures. The MWFCC concierge care model involves seamless communication between patients and families and the team of doctors, specialists and referring physicians, ensuring everyone is apprised of progress and supported. 

Fetal interventions and outcomes

A full range of congenital diseases and other high-risk conditions are treated at the MWFCC, including congenital heart defects, gastrointestinal disorders and twin-related conditions. The MWFCC has one of the highest volume treatment centers for twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) in the nation and has exceptional outcomes with greater than 95% of procedures resulting in one or both twins surviving.  

Since the first fetal repair of myelomeningocele (MMC) performed in 2016, the MWFCC program has grown to become a high volume MMC fetal surgery center. As of July 2022, more than 90 women have been evaluated for maternal-fetal surgery and 67 have undergone surgery. The MWFCC is one of a handful of centers in North America performing fetoscopic MMC repair, a procedure that maintains superior neonatal neurologic outcomes with a safer maternal procedure that also allows for vaginal delivery.  

Dr. Brock joins Minnesota Perinatal Physicians 

In August 2022, Dr. Clifton Brock, a fetal interventionist and maternal–fetal medicine expert, joined the team. His area of specialty is twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) with his primary research interests involving surveillance strategies for monochorionic-diamniotic twin pregnancies and the diagnosis and management of twin anemia polycythemia sequence (TAPS).  

Dr. Brock’s practice philosophy is centered in providing comprehensive care for patients with complicated pregnancies, which he believes can only be achieved with thorough shared decision making, building trust and careful attention spent discussing and understanding the patient’s objectives and values. 

Dr. Snowise webinar on TTTS

Recently Dr. Saul Snowise, medical director of Midwest Fetal Care Center and lead fetal interventionist, presented the webinar course, “Born Ready: Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Up-to-Date Management and Outcomes.” This online course is designed for MDs/DOs, APRNs, and RNs caring for perinatal and neonatal patients. Click here for accreditation information. 

“Twenty years ago, TTTS resulted in the loss of many babies. We’ve come a long way in maximizing outcomes through new procedures and treatments,” said Dr. Snowise. 

For referrals

To refer patients to the MWFCC, please call 855-693-3825. Click here for more information about the MWFCC, providers and referrals.