Ask the Expert 2026
Dr. Payam Saadai
UC Davis Health Fetal Care and Treatment Center
Payam Saadai, M.D., is a pediatric and fetal surgeon who co-directs the Fetal Care and Treatment Center at UC Davis Children’s Hospital. The expert team there provides advanced diagnosis and treatments for birth defects and pregnancy complications —including the extraordinary ability to operate on babies inside the womb or during birth.
What are some conditions you treat?
We’re fortunate that medical research has changed the outlook for many conditions affecting the unborn baby. We have more options now to help protect the health of mothers and children facing issues such as congenital heart disease, entanglement inside the uterus, problems with how baby’s organs develop, or spina bifida. In particular, fetal surgery can offer hope of correcting or minimizing a variety of life-threatening or potentially disabling conditions affecting the fetus.
How can you treat babies before they’re born?
We can perform minimally invasive or traditional surgery inside the womb, for example, and operate while baby is still connected to mom. For certain conditions fetal surgery now represents the standard of care—such as the most serious form of spina bifida, or in cases of abnormal blood flow in twins. For other conditions, it’s a powerful alternative for physicians and parents to consider as they balance the health of mother and child.
What is a fetal care and treatment center?
Experts from across UC Davis Health work together to support the family through delivery. Fetal medicine physicians work closely with surgeons, maternal specialists and neonatal experts, while nurses, genetic counselors and social workers offer guidance and support. We have a level I Children’s Surgery Center and a level IV neonatal intensive care unit, which are the highest levels, plus a friendly new location for diagnosis and follow-ups. We also conduct prominent research to advance options even more.
4301 X St. Sacramento. 916-734-2229.
health.ucdavis.edu/children/services/fetal-care-treatment-center/
