Hospital Information

Welcome to Tampa General Hospital

Ultrasound evaluations and fetal procedures are performed at Tampa General Hospital (TGH). The purpose of this page is to familiarize you with the procedure you would follow when you arrive at TGH for evaluation and possible surgery.

Referral Assessment

If you wish to have a referral for possible assistance please contact the Patient Navigator at our toll-free number 1-877-FETAL-77. She 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. Your doctor's office will be contacted with our recommendation.

All ultrasound reports, prenatal records and insurance information will be requested. Our office will begin the insurance process. Our insurance clerk will notify you as soon as the insurance company informs her that this is/is not a covered benefit.

The hospital policy, at this time, requires total payment prior to any evaluztions and procedures if your insurance company does not provide coverage. Additional charges will be incurred from the anesthesiologist and pathologist and billed separately. If your insurance reimburses at a later date, your money will be refunded. Approximately 90% of the insurance companies cover the surgeries.

Pre-Surgical Ultrasound Assessment

When you arrive at Tampa General Hospital, 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. Security will direct you to OB admitting and notify ultrasound.

Please arrive 45 minutes prior to appt time. Make sure to eat before your appointments as it takes a significant amount of time. Feel free to bring drinks and snacks with you.

There is a parking garage at the hospital but we recommend using the complimentary valet parking. The garage charges an hourly fee for parking.

Pre-admission Testing

Following your ultrasound and consultation, the fetal therapy coordinator takes you 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 procedure. 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 3 hours prior to the procedure.

Preparing for the Procedure: NPO Status

Before the 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 the 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 that are assisting in surgery 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. During the procedure, one or two small incisions, approximately 1/10 inch long, are made on the abdomen. 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 Recovery Room where you are monitored for approximately one to two 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 four hours after you arrive in your room. Your husband or other support person may remain with you in your room. A recliner (on request) or sofa is available in each patient room for your comfort.

Following the procedure, you may have food as tolerated. That night, activity is restricted to bathroom privileges only, but this depends upon your specific condition.

You may plan on being here approximately 2-3 days: one day for ultrasound and consultation and one day for the procedure. Most of our patients are discharged three to four hours after the procedure. We recommend spending one night at the hotel 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, your personal doctor resumes your care for the rest of the pregnancy and delivery. You and your physician should feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.

Weekly ultrasounds are recommended for the next month. After that time, if all is going well, ultrasounds are performed as directed by your doctor.

Although you are returning home, we continue to follow your pregnancy closely. Please make arrangements with your doctor to forward all of your ultrasound reports and any other pertinent information to us.

Social Services

Social services and pastoral care 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.

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

Internet Resources for Birth Defects

Support groups on the Internet are often helpful when a family faces an in utero condition.

Fetal Hope helps with twin-twin transfusion syndrome, acardiac twin, amniotic band syndrome and fetal bladder obstruction. For more information about the Fetal Hope Foundation:

Website: http://www.fetalhope.org
Phone: 1-877-789-HOPE
Email: info@fetalhope.org

Other resources are:

Transportation and Housing

Nearby hotels offer special rates for patients at Tampa General Hospital . 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.

Comfort Inn, 813-874-6700 stadium/airport area at 4732 N Dale Mabry Blvd, offers rooms for $59 per night. Holiday Inn Express, 800-898-4484 or 813-877-6061  stadium/airport area at 4750 N Dale Mabry Blvd, offers rooms for $99 per night.  When making reservations, ask for the Tampa Generalrate.  These are sister hotels and both provide a shuttle to and from the airport and also to the hospital for their guests.

Courtyard by Marriott, 102 East Cass St. 813-229-1100 offers rooms for $89. When making reservations request the TGH rate. Shuttle service available to/from the hospital, only. No shuttle service from the airport.

Residence Inn Marriott, 101 East Tyler St., 813-221-4224 offers apartment style units with full kitchen. When making reservations request the TGH rate. Shuttle service available to/from the hospital, only. No shuttle service to/from the airport.

Double Tree Hotel, 4500 West Cypress St., 813-879-4800, offers rooms for $79. When making reservations request the TGH rate. Shuttle service available to/from airport, only. No shuttle service to the hospital.

There is a Ronald McDonald House (813) 254-2398 on TGH campus.  Rooms are not reserved but are based on space available.   For information visit their website:  www.rmhctampabay.com/tampa.htm

For additional information about Tampa General Hospital you can visit their website:
http://www.tgh.org