Sometimes a prenatal ultrasound reveals a condition that may need surgical care after birth, such as an abdominal wall defect, a diaphragmatic hernia, a bowel blockage, or a lung lesion. A prenatal consultation is a chance to meet before your baby arrives, understand what to expect, and build a calm, coordinated plan with your whole care team.
An abdominal wall difference
Gastroschisis or omphalocele, where some organs develop outside the belly, are usually seen on routine ultrasound.
A diaphragmatic hernia
An opening in the diaphragm allows organs to move into the chest and affects lung development.
A suspected bowel blockage
Dilated bowel loops or extra amniotic fluid may point to an intestinal atresia.
A lung or chest lesion
Congenital lung malformations are often found prenatally and may need monitoring or surgery after birth.
A cyst or mass
Ovarian cysts, sacrococcygeal teratomas, and other masses benefit from a plan made before delivery.
When to call, and when to go straight in
Call our office as soon as your obstetrician or maternal-fetal medicine specialist suggests a surgical consultation; we make room for these visits quickly. For any pregnancy emergency, such as bleeding, severe pain, or reduced fetal movement, contact your obstetric team or go to the emergency room or call 911.
Talk it through
Discuss this with Dr. Frykman
Request an appointment and a member of the team will call you back. Urgent concerns are triaged the same day wherever possible.
Plain-language explanation
I walk you through the diagnosis, what it typically means, and the range of outcomes, using drawings and your own imaging.
A coordinated birth plan
I work with maternal-fetal medicine and neonatology so delivery happens where your baby can receive immediate surgical care if needed.
Honest about uncertainty
Some things cannot be known until birth. I tell you what we know, what we will learn, and how decisions will be made.
Minimally invasive options when the time comes
Many newborn operations can be performed with small incisions, and we discuss what may be possible for your baby.
Before
Gathering your imaging and questions
We request your ultrasound and MRI reports ahead of time. Write down every question; nothing is too small.
The consultation
The consultation itself
We sit down together, review the findings, discuss the likely path after birth, and answer everything. You may tour the neonatal unit and meet the team.
Recovery
After the visit and planning ahead
You receive a written summary and plan. We stay in touch through the pregnancy and are ready on delivery day.
A written summary of the diagnosis and plan is sent to you and your obstetric team.
Follow-up visits are scheduled as the pregnancy progresses.
You will know where to deliver and who will be present.
We can connect you with parents who have walked a similar path.
Our office remains available for questions at any point.
Dr. Philip K. Frykman
Board-certified pediatric surgeon
Meeting before your baby is born lets us replace fear with a plan, and I consider it one of the most important things I do.
Not always. Some conditions are repaired in the first days, others weeks or months later, and some are simply monitored.
Often the best plan is delivery at a hospital with a neonatal intensive care unit and pediatric surgery. We coordinate this with your team.
In most cases yes, and we will explain any special considerations ahead of time so there are no surprises.
Typically maternal-fetal medicine, neonatology, pediatric anesthesia, nursing, and sometimes other pediatric specialists.
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