Ohio State and Children's Form Perinatal Care Program

Pregnancy Care

A collaboration between Ohio State University Medical Center and Columbus Children's Hospital offers a unified source of medical care for unborn babies who require specialized attention before, during and after pregnancy.

The new Perinatal Care Center joins together physicians from the maternal-fetal medicine and pediatric specialist groups, respectively, led by Dr. Richard O'Shaughnessy, director of fetal therapy at Ohio State's Medical Center, and Dr. Donna Caniano, surgeon-in-chief at Children's.

Once a patient enters the program, a personalized plan will be developed for her to meet all the specialists involved in her care and the care of her baby. Nurse coordinators will work closely with the patient from the time of diagnosis throughout her pregnancy experience, preparing the family for their baby's delivery and care. The goal is for families to experience a seamless transition from pregnancy to newborn care.

"We have had an excellent working relationship with Children's Hospital for more than 20 years," said O'Shaughnessy. "With the technological advances in fetal diagnosis and treatment, there are many advantages to working more closely together."

Caniano is a nationally recognized expert in the care of newborns with major congenital abnormalities of the gastrointestinal system. She also is regarded as an international expert in pediatric surgical ethics, including prenatal consultation ethics.

"The Perinatal Care Center is a unique collaboration between Ohio State and Children's which offers our patients