They Can Do WHAT Before Birth?!
Pregnancy is supposed to be full of excitement, tiny kicks, ultrasound photos, nursery planning, and the whole emotional rollercoaster. But if we’re being honest, mom-to-mom, there’s also a quiet undercurrent of fear. Because with every appointment, every scan, every test, there’s that whisper in the back of our mind:
“Is my baby okay?”
If you’ve ever felt that, you’re not alone. And here’s the part that will completely shift how you view pregnancy care in 2025 and beyond:
Doctors today can not only detect many conditions before your baby is born, but they can also actually treat some of them while your baby is still inside you.
Yes, really. Real fetal surgeries. Real interventions. Real hope before birth.
Inspired by a recent article from the New York Post, and shared here with compassion and real-mom understanding, this post will walk you through the truth behind ultrasound myths, what actually happens when something unusual shows up on a scan, and the jaw-dropping procedures doctors can now safely perform during pregnancy.
➡️ Source for full medical explanation:
https://nypost.com/2025/11/24/health/fetoscopic-surgeries-that-can-be-done-before-a-baby-is-born/
Let’s get into it gently, emotionally, and with the truth every mom deserves.
Myth #1: Ultrasounds Are Just for Gender Reveals (Nope!)
If you’ve only ever associated ultrasounds with guessing a baby’s gender or getting cute profile pictures, you’re missing how powerful these screenings really are.
Ultrasounds help doctors check:
- Baby’s brain and spinal development
- Heart structure
- Limbs, bones, and organs
- Placenta health
- Fluid levels
- Growth patterns
And they’re incredibly safe, no radiation, no harm, just high-frequency sound waves that help us see what’s going on inside.
Most moms get:
- A 12-week scan
- A detailed anatomy scan around 18–22 weeks
- A third-trimester scan if needed
But here’s where real-mom truth comes in:
Even with perfect scans, some conditions appear later. Not because you did anything wrong, but because babies develop continuously. Some things simply don’t show early. And sometimes?
A scan looks scary, but turns out to be nothing at all.
Isn’t that the emotional load motherhood always brings, swinging between relief and fear, often in the same breath?
Myth #2: An Abnormal Ultrasound Means Something Is Wrong
This one hits every mom hard.
That phone call.
That ultrasound tech’s long silence.
That moment when the doctor walks in with a different tone in their voice.
Your heart drops. Your mind races. You think the worst.
But most parents don’t realize:
Many abnormal findings are harmless.
Some resolve on their own.
Some are misread.
Some are false positives.
A tiny cyst?
Often gone in a few weeks.
A “spot”?
Sometimes just a shadow.
One sentence from a doctor can change your entire pregnancy emotionally, even when the final result is absolutely fine.
Many moms silently experience this fear. You are not alone.
Your fear doesn’t mean you’re weak; it means you’re human.
Myth #3: If Something Serious Shows Up, There’s Nothing You Can Do Until Birth
And here is the jaw-dropping, anxiety-lifting truth: Doctors can now treat many complex conditions BEFORE your baby is born. We are living in a medical era that our grandmothers couldn’t even imagine. Here are real procedures happening TODAY:
Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS)
- Used to be almost always fatal
- Now: 90% survival for both twins
- How? A tiny camera is inserted through the mother’s abdomen and seals abnormal blood vessels
A millimeter-wide tool can literally save two lives.
Spina Bifida Repair
This one moves so many moms. Spina bifida can lead to lifelong mobility or brain challenges. But now? Surgeons can enter the uterus with specialized tools and carefully close the spine opening, protecting nerves and drastically improving long-term outcomes. Imagine being able to give your baby a better future before they ever take their first breath. That’s the miracle of modern fetal surgery.
Heart Defect Interventions
Doctors can open valves, improve blood flow, and prepare the baby for a safer delivery.
Diaphragmatic Hernia Repair
When the stomach or bowel shifts into the chest and affects lung development, doctors can intervene early.
This isn’t science fiction. It’s real.
And it’s saving lives every day.
Myth #4: Fetal Surgery Is Experimental or Dangerous
It’s okay if the idea sounds terrifying.
Surgery during pregnancy?
Cameras inside the womb?
But here’s the truth:
Minimally invasive fetoscopic procedures are now standard care at major fetal centers.
They’re performed by teams that include:
- Pediatric surgeons
- High-risk OBs
- Anesthesiologists
- Neonatal specialists
These are not “trial” surgeries. These are life-changing, research-backed treatments done with incredible precision. And the risks? Far lower today than ever before. Fetal surgery isn’t right for every diagnosis, but when it is an option, it can completely change the trajectory of a child’s life.
What This Means for Moms: The Emotional Side No Article Talks About
Even reading about these procedures can stir up old fears. You may remember a moment when you were told something “might be wrong.” Or a pregnancy where you Googled every symptom late at night. Or the ultrasound where the tech went quiet for just a little too long. Pregnancy pushes us into a place where joy, fear, hope, and anxiety all sit together in our chest at the same time.
As a fellow mom:
I see you.
I’ve been you.
And here’s what I learned:
Information calms fear.
Support carries us.
Hope grows when we’re not alone.
Early screenings aren’t meant to scare us; they’re meant to protect our babies and us. But the emotional weight is real. And that’s why community and postpartum emotional support matter so much.
How to Navigate Pregnancy Stress & Unexpected Findings
These gentle reminders can help you stay grounded:
1. Don’t Google alone
Research spirals can make normal variations feel like emergencies.
2. Ask every question, even the ones you feel silly asking
Clarity is a form of emotional safety.
3. Bring someone with you to the detailed scans
Two sets of ears hear more than one.
4. Take breaks from information overload
Your emotional bandwidth matters.
5. If you’re spiraling, you’re not “overreacting.”
You’re processing the unknown that’s human.
6. Connect with a postpartum support professional NOW, even during pregnancy
Mental health care shouldn’t wait until after birth.
7. Lean into community
Find postpartum support groups near you early. Support is prevention.
Why This Matters to Momkinz
Because too many moms:
- feel scared in silence
- feel ashamed for being afraid
- feel alone after a “concerning” scan
- feel unsupported between appointments
Momkinz was created to bridge the gap between fear and support, between information and community, between mom and expert. You deserve to feel held emotionally, mentally, and medically through every part of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone
Whether you’re processing a recent scan, managing pregnancy emotions, or carrying the weight of postpartum fear:
You are not alone.
You are not overreacting.
You are not failing.
You are a mother. And this is what mothers do: we love deeply, fear deeply, hope deeply. Let Momkinz walk with you.
Visit Momkinz to connect with:
- postpartum care providers
- postpartum mental health professionals
- lactation support
- community support groups
Because motherhood isn’t meant to be survived alone, it’s meant to be supported.
FAQs About Prenatal Screenings, Fetal Surgery & Postpartum Emotions
1. Are ultrasounds safe during pregnancy?
Yes, they use sound waves, not radiation.
2. How many ultrasounds do most moms get?
Usually 2–3 unless additional scans are needed.
3. What if my ultrasound shows something unusual?
Not all findings are serious; many resolve or are harmless variations.
4. Can fetal surgery really be done before birth?
Yes, for conditions like TTTS, spina bifida, heart issues, and more.
5. Is fetal surgery dangerous?
Today’s minimally invasive techniques have become very safe in expert centers.
6. What symptoms mean I should call my provider?
Severe pain, bleeding, decreased fetal movement, or emotional distress.
7. Can fear during pregnancy affect postpartum emotions?
Yes, stress can increase the risk of postpartum anxiety or depression.
8. Where can I find emotional support?
Momkinz connects moms to postpartum support professionals nationwide.
9. Do all abnormalities require surgery?
Not at all many require monitoring only.
10. How early should I seek help for anxiety?
Immediately. You don’t need a diagnosis to deserve care.