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Maternity

Our Services

Perinatal Diagnostic Center

If your doctor is concerned that your pregnancy may be high-risk, we will perform the tests to confirm that possibility or rule it out. If you already know your pregnancy is high-risk, we have advanced technologies, specialized care and support services to support you in the coming months, including a partnership with the world-renowned Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford. Our team uses state-of-the-art imaging techniques and diagnostic modalities to provide up-to-the-minute care for mothers and babies in high-risk pregnancies. We are able to evaluate a baby’s risk for certain abnormalities as early as week 11. Our maternal-fetal medicine consultation services include:

  • Advanced 3-D/4-D fetal ultrasound technology
  • Genetic counseling
  • Amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS)
  • Fetal echocardiography
  • Instant risk assessment/NTD labs first-trimester screen
  • Percutaneous umbilical blood sampling (PUBS) and fetal blood transfusions

Exceptional Care for Fragile Newborns

Our 11-bed Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) allows us to care for the most critically ill babies, including those who are premature, have a very low birth weight or are medically fragile. Salinas Valley Health is uniquely qualified to ensure that every baby leaves the medical center healthy and strong – even if they need a little help before they are ready to go home. We believe having family close by is beneficial for babies and reassuring for mom and dad, so we offer expanded visitation for parents, siblings and other family members. We also do all we can to keep parents informed and teach them at-home care for when their babies are discharged from the medical center.

Our specialists collaborate as needed to address each baby’s unique needs. For example, if a pediatric cardiologist is needed, we link to Stanford University via a high-speed audio/video network. This allows our neonatologists to securely transmit the results of an infant's echocardiogram to a pediatric cardiologist at Stanford using two-way, real-time video and audio communications to determine the best course of care for each tiny patient. If needed, transportation of these fragile babies is jointly coordinated between our NICU and the transport team at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford by a specialized mother/infant critical care transport vehicle called “NICU on wheels.”

Obstetric Emergency Department

As Monterey County’s first and only 24/7 Obstetrics Emergency Department (OB ED), we are dedicated to treating unexpected issues in pregnant women. We want any expectant mother experiencing complications to be seen right away by our team of obstetric experts. That means when a complication occurs, you don’t have to wait to get seen at the regular emergency room: Just come straight to the OB ED if you’re experiencing any of the following:

  • Determine if you are in labor
  • Pain/bleeding in pregnancy
  • Pre-term labor
  • Antenatal testing
  • Pelvic pain related to pregnancy
  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding related to pregnancy
  • Conditions related to high-risk pregnancy, such as high blood pressure

Lactation Support

Breastfeeding is important, and we do all we can to support this healthy practice. We are proud to have met the standards for accreditation as a Baby-Friendly medical center. This global program, sponsored by the United Nations International Children’s Fund and the World Health Organization, recognizes birth centers that offer an optimal level of care for infant feeding. Our board-certified Lactation Consultants to assist you and your newborn with any breastfeeding challenges. If breastfeeding issues occur after mother and baby have gone home, we offer Outpatient Lactation Clinic consultation twice a week (by appointment) for additional support.