The Chicago Institute for Fetal Health

05/21/2026

04/17/2026

During Black Maternal Health Week, The Chicago Institute for Fetal Health is proud to stand alongside other health leaders like Northwestern Medicine in advancing equitable care for Black birthing individuals.
At this week’s “Improving Black Maternal Health” Open House at Prentice Women’s Hospital, providers and staff with The Chicago Institute were honored to contribute to critical conversations around high-risk pregnancy, access to care and patient-centered support.
Black maternal health remains an urgent priority — Black women in the U.S. continue to face disproportionately higher risks during pregnancy, many of which are preventable.
We are committed to advancing research, education and compassionate care that improves outcomes for all.

01/28/2026

Proud to share how the Chicago Institute for Fetal Health at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago is advancing what’s possible in fetal care.

Our multidisciplinary team helped pioneer a new device that allows real-time monitoring of fetal vital signs during surgery, supporting safer procedures and better outcomes for babies and families.

Led by Dr. Aimen Shaaban, this work reflects our shared commitment to innovation, collaboration, and putting children first.

12/11/2025

We are so excited to share that Mari De La Riva has been nominated as an iHeartRadio Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Children’s Caregiver Award recipient!

Mari is an essential part of our Pediatric Surgery and Fetal Health teams, and this nomination recognizes the incredible work she does every day. From supporting our physicians to assisting families with care and compassion, Mari always goes above and beyond. Her teamwork, dedication, and big heart make a meaningful difference for our patients and staff.

Please help us congratulate Mari on this well-deserved honor, we are so proud to have her on our team! 💐✨

09/04/2025

💜 Olivia’s story is one of hope 💜

At just 4½ years old, Olivia is full of life — she walks, dances ballet, plays soccer, and tells stories with a laugh that fills every room. ✨

Before she was even born, Olivia underwent a groundbreaking surgery at The Chicago Institute for Fetal Health at Lurie Children’s. With the care of Dr. Aimen Shaaban, Dr. Robin Bowman, and our multidisciplinary team, her parents found hope in the middle of a frightening diagnosis.

Today, Olivia is thriving — showing what’s possible when innovation and compassion come together.

💙 Learn more about how we’re helping families facing complex prenatal diagnoses: www.luriechildrens.org/fetalhealth

👉 Have you or a loved one been touched by spina bifida? Share your story in the comments — your words could give another family hope.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLGVatKO55w

04/30/2025

At The Chicago Institute for Fetal Health (CIFH), we are proud to be at the forefront of care for unborn babies diagnosed with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), a rare and serious birth-defect that occurs when the diaphragm doesn’t form properly, allowing abdominal organs to move into the chest and preventing the lungs from developing normally.

Every case of CDH is unique, which is why The CIFH brings together specialists in fetal medicine, neonatology, pediatric surgery and more to develop individualized care plans. The CIFH is experienced in treating patients with the most severe forms of CDH which require Fetoscopic Endoluminal Tracheal Occlusion (FETO), a procedure which helps the unborn baby’s lungs develop as much as possible before birth. The Institute has some of the highest success rates in the world for treating CDH. Learn more about the FETO procedure and care at CIFH:
https://youtu.be/rBG5tEE9ajk?feature=shared

The Chicago Institute for Fetal Health at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is one of the only fetal centers in the country that offers a ...

04/24/2025

The Chicago Institute for Fetal Health at & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago recently participated in an open house at Prentice Women’s Hospital to raise awareness for black maternal health during Black Maternal Health Week. Black women in the U.S. are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women, with over 80 percent of these deaths being preventable, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Chicago Institute is committed to providing the best care to all expecting parents and their families as early and extended as appropriate. Our specialists performed over 4,000 consultations last year for all types of fetal conditions with expectant families from across the country, with no patient turned away. Learn more about the Chicago Institute: https://www.luriechildrens.org/en/specialties-conditions/fetal-health/

04/23/2025

Each April we join families and medical teams around the world in raising awareness for congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), a rare and serious condition that affects 1 in 2,500 babies. The Chicago Institute for Fetal Health (CIFH) is proud to be part of the journey for many families facing a CDH diagnosis, providing hope, expert care and community. One family’s remarkable journey with CDH in identical twins led them to CIFH to seek care from some of the foremost experts in the country. Today, the twins are thriving two-year-olds, working on growing their vocabularies and eating like champs since having their g-tubes removed in December 2024.

Read more about Rhett and Hayes’ rare story:
https://www.luriechildrens.org/en/blog/mighty-fighters-familys-journey-away-from-home-for-twins-cdh-care/