Advanced Delivery Unit Advanced Delivery Unit Advanced Delivery Unit (302) 651-6812 Exceptional Care for High-Risk Newborns and Their Mothers Staffed by Advanced Delivery Physicians and Nurses 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week It’s not easy to learn that the baby you’re carrying needs medical attention soon after birth. For newborns with certain conditions, treatment within hours, and even minutes, can make a big difference in the challenges they’ll face. In some cases, it’s needed to save their lives. The Advanced Delivery Unit at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware gives healthy expectant mothers the option to deliver where their babies can get treatment right away. Your newborn will have immediate access to nationally renowned pediatric specialists, and you’ll receive top-notch care in the same place. From the moment you learn your newborn needs extra care, our team gets to work. You’ll meet the specialists caring for you and your baby. Together, with you and your care team, we plan for your safe delivery and baby’s treatment after birth. And we do everything we can to honor your birth wishes. Experts from more than 30 pediatric specialties partner with our core team. Together we treat high-risk newborns with a range of health conditions. We’re here for your child before pregnancy, at delivery and beyond. Services We Offer What to Expect Testimonials Services We Offer Whether your baby needs testing or another crucial procedure after delivery , we’re equipped to help. Our team is guided by the latest research and recommendations, with multiple pregnancy and birthing experts working side-by-side with other specialists. We help you achieve the birth experience you hope for and make delivering your baby as normal and stress-free as possible. Our unit offers: Maternal-fetal medicine care for expectant mothers and their babies before birth, including any necessary fetal testing Obstetrics expertise for a safe labor and delivery Anesthesia care specifically focused on obstetrical needs Nursing care to support labor, immediate postpartum care and breastfeeding Advanced newborn critical care and surgical services Full range of pediatric specialists for comprehensive evaluation, as well as medical and surgical care Hospital transfer when needed for adult critical care Dedicated social worker certified in perinatal mental health Highly individualized and supportive environment Attention to healthy outcomes in birthing Real-time response as obstetrical conditions evolve, with obstetricians, anesthesiologists and nurses all dedicated to the Advanced Delivery Unit available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week What to Expect Many women find out about their baby’s health challenge during a routine ultrasound and are referred to us for further evaluation, counseling and planning for baby’s care after birth. We’re here at every step. As an important member of the team, we help you understand your baby’s diagnosis and expectations for treatments and outcomes. During Pregnancy You’ll meet with the pediatric specialist managing your newborn’s care and a member of our advanced delivery obstetrics team to discuss your birth plan, down to the last detail. You’ll continue your routine prenatal care close to home with your own doctor before delivering at Nemours. We communicate directly with them and work together on your care. Throughout your pregnancy, we’re here to support you. We answer your questions and discuss any changes along the way. In an uncertain time, we’re a constant you can rely on. Delivery Our delivery unit offers a peaceful, relaxing environment. Families tell us how much they appreciate our easy access, free parking and beautiful rooms. Every birthing suite has a private bathroom and plenty of space for your medical team and your family. During birth, you’ll have a full team of experts by your side to ensure a safe delivery. In addition to your OB/GYN, an anesthesiologist, nurses and surgical techs will assist in any way necessary. Our team of neonatologists, neonatal nurses and respiratory therapists will support your baby after birth. Postpartum Care Once your baby is born, our pediatric specialists join in, supporting the baby and implementing the care plan outlined before birth. Our surgical suites and neonatal intensive care and cardiac intensive care units are all near our delivery unit. This makes it easy to visit your baby while staying close to your recovery team. Assuming your delivery is uncomplicated, you’ll likely be discharged within days. One to two days is common for a vaginal delivery; three to four days is typical for a C-section. Expect a follow-up call from our nurses in 2–4 weeks so we can track your recovery and monitor any complications you might have had after delivery. Pregnancy-related and associated complications are tracked up to a year after delivery. If your baby is still here after you’re discharged, we’ll work with you to stay nearby. We have sleep rooms in the hospital, and the Ronald McDonald House is across the street. Testimonials Words From Moms Who’ve Been Here Nemours tracks patient satisfaction through anonymous third-party surveys. We take the feedback we get to heart. Here are a few words from recent moms who delivered through our program. Thankful for attentive care. "I am incredibly thankful for my experience with the Advanced Delivery Unit. Being able to be at the same hospital as my baby and knowing we were both receiving the best care possible cannot be put into words. All of the staff was attentive and caring, making sure I had everything I needed.” A caring, loving team. “I had the best delivery anyone could have, fast and with wonderful people taking care of me and my son. I wish that everyone could have the opportunity to have a doctor like Dr. Chou and the entire nursing team — all attentive and very careful, concerned with my well-being. My heart overflows with gratitude for all! They carry out their work with love and care.” Simply amazing. “I had the most amazing care! They brought a lot of comfort to a very stressful time in our lives.” Well prepared and supportive. “I loved the experience with Dr. Chou, she was so well-prepared for our case. We felt she genuinely understood our needs and what we had been through to get to this point, making us entirely comfortable with the birthing process and decisions that we needed to make. She was wonderful!” Brittany and Raegan's Story “Our journey to have a family started more than a decade ago.  I couldn’t have imagined how frustrating and isolating it would be for us. ” Read Raegan's Story Conditions & Treatments Many of the conditions we treat are heart conditions that are present at birth, called congenital heart defects. Here are some of the other conditions that can be diagnosed during pregnancy and treated after birth at Nemours. Abdominal wall defects Problems with how the abdominal wall, stomach and other digestive organs develop Anorectal Malformation Most babies with anorectal malformations need corrective surgery right after birth. Find 24-hour neonatal surgical care from Nemours Children's Health. Cleft Lip & Palate Disorders Nemours Children's specialists provide expert care for craniofacial and maxillofacial disorders, including cleft lip and palate. Contact us in Delaware Valley. Clubfoot Find non-surgical treatment options for clubfoot at Nemours Children's Health– recognized as "Best Doctors in America ®." Schedule in Florida and Delaware Valley. Congenital diaphragmatic hernias A hole in the muscle (diaphragm) that separates the chest and abdomen, or belly Congenital Heart Defects When a baby is born with a heart problem. Gastrointestinal anomalies Disorders that affect the intestines like atresia, stenosis or malrotation Genitourinary anomalies Problems with the way the genitals, urinary tract and kidneys form Hand & Upper Extremity Differences Nemours Children's pediatric orthopedic surgeons have special training to operate with precision on hand disorders and hand deformities. Hydronephrosis Nemours Children's pediatric urologists specialize in treating hydronephrosis, a condition where kidneys become swollen due to overfilling.Learn more. Limb Differences At Nemours Children's, our pediatric orthopedic surgeons are experts at diagnosing and treating limb and bone length differences. Find care today. Lymphatic disorders Conditions affecting the small vessels that are part of the immune system Neurologic disorders When the brain, spinal cord or nervous system doesn’t form the way they should Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) Also called “brittle bone disease,” a rare genetic disorder that affects how bones form Skeletal dysplasia Genetic bone and cartilage disorders that affect the shape and size of the skeleton Spina Bifida Our world-renowned orthopedics program has experience dealing with the surgical treatment of spina bifida. Schedule online to meet with a specialist. Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR) Nemours Children's pediatric urologists treat children with vesicoureteral reflux, also called VUR. Related Specialties Cardiac Center, Delaware Valley Cardiology Cardiothoracic Surgery Center for Fetal Care Centro de Atención Fetal Endocrinology Fetal Medicine Gastroenterology Genetics Infectious Diseases Neonatology Nephrology Neurology Neurosurgery Ophthalmology (Eye Care) Orthopedic Center, Delaware Valley Orthopedics Osteogenesis Imperfecta Program, Delaware Valley Pediatric General Surgery Perinatal Program, Delaware Valley Plastic Surgery Skeletal Dysplasia Program, Delaware Valley Urology Your Baby's Health Is Our #1 Priority Our multidisciplinary, team-based approach includes specialists, nurses, respiratory and physical therapists, social workers, and other providers who meet daily to work for a common goal. We offer the highest level of coordination. As participants in the Nemours Quality Champions program and the Delaware Perinatal Quality Collaborative, we’re dedicated to safe, excellent and evidence-based care for mother and baby. We have vast experience in treating congenital heart defects and offer complex newborn heart surgery, heart-lung support (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or ECMO) and a dedicated cardiac intensive care unit (CICU). Our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is a Level IV facility (the highest rating). We can handle the most complex, life-threatening challenges newborns face. And, our Advanced Delivery Physicians are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Meet the Team The Nemours advanced delivery team is experienced and focused on your child's healthiest future. Meet them now. For more, call (302) 651-6812 Eric Paul Bergh, MD Maternal Fetal Medicine Maternal Fetal Medicine/Fetal Intervention View Provider Profile Julie Suzanne Moldenhauer, MD Maternal Fetal Medicine Executive Director of the Institute for Maternal Fetal Health and Elizabeth W. Snyder Endowed Chair in Fetal Therapy and Innovation at Nemours Children’s Health View Provider Profile Christina Paidas Teefey, MD Maternal Fetal Medicine Maternal Fetal Medicine/Fetal Intervention View Provider Profile Agatha Berger, MD Obstetrics Obstetrician/Laborist View Provider Profile Margaret Ruth Chou, MD Obstetrics Division Chief, Obstetrics View Provider Profile Regina Dougherty, DO Obstetrics Obstetrician/Laborist View Provider Profile Anna Jang Hanson, MD Obstetrics Obstetrician/Laborist View Provider Profile Samata McClure, DO Obstetrics View Provider Profile Stacy A McCrosson, MD Obstetrics Obstetrician/Laborist View Provider Profile Kristen Michelle McCullen, MD Obstetrics Obstetrician/Laborist View Provider Profile Julia Powell, MD Obstetrics View Provider Profile Ashley Elizabeth Wilkerson, MD Obstetrics Obstetrician/Laborist View Provider Profile Elizabeth Hewitt, DO Anesthesiology View Provider Profile Tak C Liu, MD Anesthesiology View Provider Profile Flore Macenat Sulzynski, MD Anesthesiology View Provider Profile Douglas Makai, MD Anesthesiology View Provider Profile Marcus J. Zebrower, MD Anesthesiology View Provider Profile Madalyn Charnego, CGC Maternal Fetal Medicine (800) 416-4441 Primary Office Wilmington, DE View Provider Profile Lauren Lairson, CGC Maternal Fetal Medicine (800) 416-4441 Primary Office Wilmington, DE View Provider Profile Clara Moiseyeva, CGC Maternal Fetal Medicine (800) 416-4441 Primary Office Wilmington, DE View Provider Profile Cathy Mackell Fetal Nurse Coordinator Deanna Ruble Fetal Nurse Coordinator Lisa Ward Fetal Nurse Coordinator Jill Briggs Registered Nurse Jailis Caraballo Registered Nurse Randi Cirillo Registered Nurse Aimee Coursey Registered Nurse Vicki Davidson Registered Nurse Stephanie Forester Registered Nurse Tammi Gorman Registered Nurse McKensie Gray Registered Nurse Amanda Gross Registered Nurse Kiera Lanni Registered Nurse Christina Lawless Registered Nurse Binal Lippincott Registered Nurse Monique Lloyd Registered Nurse Kelly McCormick Registered Nurse Kellimarie Oleck Registered Nurse Stephanie Pater Registered Nurse Caitlin Ward Registered Nurse Courtney Wood Registered Nurse Mariann Giannone, BS, RDMS Fetal Ultrasound Director Katie Hughes, RDMS Perinatal Sonographer George Mccullough OB Technologist Danni Mitchell OB Technologist Shayla Nixon OB Technologist Deshona Sammons OB Technologist Brittany Bellere Unit Clerk Shree Bennett Unit Clerk Dalyn Bryant Unit Clerk Kionandra Stephens Unit Clerk Gabrielle Yurth Unit Clerk Shannon Davis, LCSW Social Work (800) 416-4441 Primary Office Wilmington, DE View Provider Profile Betsy Ayala Castro Perinatal Program Coordinator Cassidy Eubanks Perinatal Program Coordinator Amanda Jones Perinatal Program Coordinator Megan Riccio Perinatal Access Representative Liam Black Executive Team Coordinator Karina Chara, MBA Director, Ob/Gyn Administration Tara Haskell, MBA, MHSA AVP, Ob/Gyn Administration Tracey Lewis Manager, Patient Access Paul McDermott, MBA Business Operations Manager Mary Ashmore, MSN, RNCOB Clinical Operations Leader Erin O'Hara, BSN, RNC-OB Nurse Manager Lori Pascal AVP, Nursing Administration What Are Prenatal Tests? Prenatal tests are screening or diagnostic tests that can help identify health problems that could affect pregnant women or their unborn babies. Some of these conditions can be treated, so it's important to find them as early as possible. Learn more from the experts at Nemours KidsHealth