Welcome! The following information below may assist you in finding your way through our health care system, understanding the condition you and your baby are facing and supporting you through your pregnancy and beyond.
If you wish to have a referral for possible assistance, please contact the Fetal Care Center at our toll-free number 1-877-FETAL-77. We will fax an evaluation form to your doctor to complete and return to us. This information will be needed to determine the best treatment. Our physicians will review your records. You and your doctor's office will be contacted with our recommendation.
If you have any questions regarding your appointment at TGH, call (813) 259-8513 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Please bring the following to your appointment:insurance card, photo ID, or military ID, if applicable.
Map & Directions
Click for a TGH Campus Map or for written TGH Driving Directions.
Parking on the day of your appointment
TGH offers complimentary valet parking and self-parking in the TGH garage for an hourly fee. Since you are pregnant, we recommend using the complimentary valet parking. Follow the signs on campus to the Main Entrance of the hospital. At the Main Entrance, pull forward to the valet stand.
Directions for an OB Ultrasound or Fetal Echocardiogram:
Your appointment will be scheduled by one of our staff members. When you arrive at TGH, follow the signs to the Main Entrance. As you enter the hospital you need to turn left between the two sets of glass double doors and follow the signs to the Bayshore Pavilion Elevators. Take the elevator to the 4th floor. Check in with OB security. Tell the security guard you need to register for an OB ultrasound, Fetal Echocardiogram (whichever is scheduled for you). Security will direct you to OB admitting and notify ultrasound.
Please arrive 30 minutes prior to appt time. Make sure to eat before your appointments as it sometimes takes a significant amount of time. Feel free to bring drinks and snacks with you. It is important to drink water, so you do not become dehydrated.
Directions for an MRI:
When you arrive at Tampa General Hospital, follow the signs to the Main Entrance. Admissions/Registration is inside the Main Lobby on your left. This is where you will be registered for your appointment. The staff will then direct you to MRI. Please arrive 30 minutes prior to appt time. Special Instructions for a Fetal MRI:Do not eat solid food 4 hours prior to the appointment. You can drink water, soda or fruit juice. Do not drink any milk products or anything fatty (like ice cream or yogurt) 1 hour prior to the appointment. It is important to drink water, so you do not become dehydrated.
Directions for a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) tour:
If you would like a NICU Tour, please contact one of our coordinators at (877) 338-2577 or (813) 844-7826. For more information regarding our NICU, please click here: TGH NICU.
When you arrive at Tampa General Hospital, follow the signs to the Main Entrance. Inside the Main Lobby, walk past the Gift Shop and Information Desk. Walk toward the Gold Tree on the back wall, and then veer to the left. Take the West Pavilion Elevators to the 4th floor. Check in with OB security. Tell the security guard you are there for a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) tour. Security will direct you to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). When you arrive at the NICU, check in at the desk. Tell them you have an appointment for a NICU tour.
Directions for a Labor and Delivery Tour or Childbirth Education:
The Women's Center offers tours, childbirth education classes to expectant mothers as well as other programs designed to help parents care for their babies. For more information, please click here: Tampa General's Childbirth Education Programs.
If you have any questions regarding your appointment, call (813) 259-8513 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Please bring the following to your appointment:insurance cardphoto ID, or military ID if applicable.
Map & Directions
USF Health South Tampa Center (STC) is located directly across the street from Tampa General Hospital. Maps and driving directions can be found at the USF's website by clicking on this link: USF South Driving Directions.
Parking on the day of your appointment
USF also offers valet parking for $5 and self-parking in the TGH garage for $3. If you would like to valet park, follow the signs on campus to USF. Turn into the circle drive in front of the USF building. At the Main Entrance, pull forward to the valet stand.
Directions for an OB Ultrasound
When you arrive at USF-STC, take the elevator to the 4th floor. Check in at the registration desk. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to appt time. Make sure to eat before your appointments as it sometimes takes a significant amount of time. Feel free to bring drinks and snacks with you. It is important to drink water, so you do not become dehydrated.
Directions for a Pediatric Surgery or Pediatric Neurosurgery Consult
When you arrive at USF-STC, take the elevator to the 2nd floor. Check in at the registration desk. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to appt time. Make sure to eat before your appointments as it sometimes takes a significant amount of time. Feel free to bring drinks and snacks with you. It is important to drink water, so you do not become dehydrated.
Directions for a Neonatology Consultation
When you arrive at USF-STC, take the elevator to the 5th floor. Check in at the Patient Referrals desk. Tell the attendant you have an appointment to see the Neonatologist that you have an appointment with. If there are any questions, call 259-8513 or 259-8812. Please arrive 5 minutes prior to appt time. Make sure to eat before your appointment as it sometimes takes over an hour. Feel free to bring drinks and snacks with you. It is important to drink water, so you do not become dehydrated.
Directions for a Fetal Echocardiogram
When you arrive at USF-STC, take the elevator to the 2nd floor. Check in at the registration desk. Tell the attendant you have an appointment for a Fetal Echocardiogram. If there are any questions, call 259-8513. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to appt time. Make sure to eat before your appointments as it sometimes takes a significant amount of time. Feel free to bring drinks and snacks with you. It is important to drink water, so you do not become dehydrated.
Following your ultrasound and consultation, the Fetal Care Center Coordinator will arrange for you to go to pre-admission testing. Upon arrival, you complete a medical history form. This form asks about your general physical status and any specific health problems you may have. The nurse draws blood for various tests that are necessary prior to your procedures. She gives you instructions on time to check in and where to check in for your procedure. One of the anesthesiologists evaluates your physical condition to determine any specific needs you may have concerning your anesthesia. This completes your visit to pre-admission testing department. After this is finished you do not have to come back to the hospital until 2 hours prior to procedure. Click for more information regarding TGH's pre-admissions.
Preparing for the Procedure: NPO Status
Before a surgery/procedure, you are not allowed to eat or drink for a defined amount of time (usually at least 6 - 8 hours). This is to prevent the risk of vomiting during the procedure. In medical terms, this is known as "NPO" (nothing by mouth). It is important to drink as much water as possible before you are "NPO" so you do not become dehydrated.
Before the Procedure
On the day of procedure, you need to register once again. You will again take the Bayshore Pavilion elevators to the 4th floor. Check in with OB security. Tell the security officer you are here for L&D pre-op and admitting. He will direct you to admitting and notify the department. An intravenous line (IV) will be inserted by needle stick to give fluids and medications during the procedure. In most cases, this will be the only needle stick that is needed. After you are prepared for the procedure, your husband or significant other may join you until you are taken to the operating room. An ultrasound is done prior to going to the operating room to confirm the babies' heartbeats. One of the specially trained nurses and the anesthesiologist accompanies you to the operating room.
During the Procedure
When you arrive in the operating room you are moved to the operating table. You are covered with a warm blanket and a pillow is placed under your knees to keep you comfortable during the procedure. Medication will be given through your IV tubing to relax you. Procedures are performed under local anesthesia, meaning you are awake but relaxed and your abdomen is numbed where the instrument is inserted. An anesthesiologist stays with you throughout the procedure. You are given additional medication as needed. Occasionally, general anesthesia, meaning you are put to sleep, is used. A catheter will be put in your bladder to drain urine and will remain in place until later that evening. In most cases the procedure lasts one to two hours, but this can vary depending on a number of factors.
After the Procedure
Following the procedure, you are taken to the OB Recovery Room where you are monitored for approximately two to three hours. Medication may be given after the procedure to relax the uterus and stop any contractions. Pain or discomfort afterwards is usually minimal. If needed, pain relief medicine is available.The catheter is removed from your bladder about two hours after you arrive in your room. Your husband or other support person may remain with you in your room. Following the procedure, you may have food as tolerated. That night, activity is restricted to bathroom privileges and very light activity only, but this depends upon your specific condition. Most of our patients are discharged three to four hours after the procedure. If you do not live locally, we recommend spending one night at the hotel in Tampa before traveling. Occasionally, a follow-up ultrasound will be done in the morning after the procedure. Most patients are discharged following their ultrasound.
Returning Home
After the procedure we will continue to follow your pregnancy closely. The Fetal Care Center Coordinator will assist you in scheduling any follow up appointments. She is also available at any time to answer questions, provide support and provide a direct link between you and your USF physicians if needed.
Nearby hotels offer special rates for Tampa General Hospital patients. Prices range from approximately $59-160. Many of the hotels offer free shuttle bus. If you do not wish to rent a car, please ask about this service prior to making reservations.There are many hotels in the airport/hospital vicinity. We have listed a few of hotels but there are additional hotels available. A patient representative at the hospital (813) 844-7249 can assist if you have any difficulty obtaining reservations. The information below is subject to change.
Social Services
In addition, our families have access to support services such as pastoral care, and when needed, social workers, palliative care and perinatal bereavement counseling.Pastoral care and social services are available for our patients and their families. If you would like to see them at any time, you need only to request it and they can be contacted. We are sensitive to the psychological, social, and spiritual needs of the family. We provide any support that is necessary. For more information, click here: TGH Pastoral Care.
Please contact us if you have any questions, concerns, or special requests. For our out of town patients, we realize that traveling may be difficult or stressful and want you to know that we do everything we can to accommodate your special needs and schedule. For more information regarding our TGH Social Services, please click here: TGH Social Services.