Advanced Delivery Program

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Advanced Delivery Program

Exceptional Care for High-Risk Newborns and Their Mothers

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 Program 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

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 program offers:

  • Maternal-fetal medicine care for expectant mothers and their babies before birth
  • Obstetrics expertise for a safe labor and delivery
  • Anesthesia care specifically focused on obstetrical needs
  • Scheduled labor inductions and C-section deliveries, depending on your situation
  • 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
  • Dedicated social worker certified in perinatal mental health 
  • Highly individualized and supportive environment

Please note our program is designed for expectant mothers who are healthy and whose unborn babies will need immediate care at delivery.

If both mom and baby have health challenges, we’ll plan a safe alternative for delivery and immediate transfer to Nemours Children's after birth.

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 Program. 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. ”

Perinatal and Fetal Cardiology Program

With our Advanced Delivery Program, healthy moms whose babies will need immediate, advanced care can deliver their babies right at our hospital.

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.

Meet the Team

The Nemours advanced delivery team is experienced and focused on your child's healthiest future. Meet them now. 

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®.

Female doctor listens to expectant mom's tummy with stethoscope