Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Obstetrics: Fetal Surgery and Therapy

International fetal surgery programme

We have long led the world in fetal surgery and continue to research and develop new techniques.

25 years of experience

Pioneers in fetal surgery and an accumulated experience of more than 2,000 fetal surgeries. We treat more than 100 cases each year.

At the forefront of fetal surgery

We have first performed several new fetal operations and contributed to the development of many others.

Minimally invasive procedures

We have a consolidated experience in a full range of minimally invasive procedures carried out on both mother and fetus.

Research is a priority for us

We publish our own data on operation times and pregnancy outcomes for most currently offered operations, being at the forefront of research and development.

A recognized referral centre

In BCNatal's clinical activity in the Women's Area of SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital we have saved hundreds of lives even before they started, caring for mothers and their unborn children from near and far.

Fetal surgery referents

We are experts in fetal problems and every year thousands of families are referred to us, not only from the local area but also from around the world. In Spain, we are responsible for a relevant part of fetal surgeries performed.

Comprehensive care from before birth

We are structured in multidisciplinary clinical units with fetal medicine and pediatric specialists to offer comprehensive counselling and care for a child before its birth and throughout its childhood. For instance, every year our Fetal Cardiology team, comprising fetal medicine and pediatric cardiologist specialists, take care of 200 babies with congenital heart defects that are prenatally diagnosed.

We continue with our patients after birth

The pediatric specialists and surgeons at SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital are involved in our clinical units, which offer state-of the-art clinical care for all pediatric problems after birth. In our multidisciplinary Fetal Medicine Session, all complex cases are discussed by all relevant specialists to ensure that the maximum expertise informs decisions on management and therapy.

Thanks to the surgery at BCNatal - Sant Joan de Déu my little daughter Elsa had a much better chance of surviving her diaphragmatic hernia and today she is a healthy child full of life.

Ana Isabel, mother of little Elsa, a diaphragmatic hernia patient from Ávila

In 2015, full of fear and uncertainty, we turned to the fetal surgery medical team. We put our son's life in their hands with absolute confidence because of their experience and research. Thanks to the team at the Hospital, which we visit regularly, we can say that our son is cured. The research, the fact of forming a parent-doctor team, the determination and confidence that they always conveyed to us, have made Daniel's a success story.

Alejandra Vázquez, Daniel's mother, patient with CHAOS Syndrome from Lugo

The most sophisticated part of fetal medicine is surgery during pregnancy, specifically on the fetus. This option was considered science fiction until 20 years ago, but now we can carry it out thanks to technology.

Eduard Gratacós, director of BCNatal

See more (Spanish report from minute 30)

Surgeries performed

> 2,000

Operations annually

100-130

Years of experience