IMFH | Patient Guide | First Visit
The first visit will be arranged with you as part of the first steps. Please plan to arrive 15 minutes earlier than the scheduled appointment in order to allow sufficient time to fill out the new patient paperwork. Please bring a copy of insurance information. We are located in the Doctor's Tower of Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, 1300 N. Vermont Avenue, Suite 301, Los Angeles, California 90027. See Maps. Once you arrive at suite 301, there is no need to knock, please just enter the waiting room. Once you have checked in and completed registration, you will see one of our perinatologists for a specialized ultrasound.
The clinical assistant may weigh you, check your blood pressure, and escort you into a room, where you will be asked to lie down on the examination table. The first ultrasound can take up to an hour, so please plan to make yourself as comfortable as you can. Use the restroom beforehand. Let the staff know if you there is anything you need. There is no need to undress, other than to expose the abdomen. You will be given a cover to ensure privacy. In many cases, your care manager will be present before the doctor arrives, in order to introduce herself, and spend a few moments getting to know you. Once the doctor arrives, he will introduce himself, and talk with you about the reason for the visit. The lights will be turned off for the ultrasound, as this allows the best images. There is a screen visible from the table where you will be able to watch the ultrasound as it occurs.
Once the ultrasound is completed, there may be pictures for you to keep. You will be able to sit up, and either move into the waiting room or directly into the conference room if there are lengthy explanations of findings to discuss. Otherwise, results will be told to you as the ultrasound progresses. The care manager will be present at all conferences involving the explanation of findings. This will include a plan of care, further testing that might be ordered, and any consultation with pediatric specialists that might be required.
A plan will be discussed and developed, often depending upon the decisions a family makes. The care manager will work closely with the family to ensure that all decisions are made with as best an understanding of all aspects of the baby’s situation, as can be achieved.
