Perinatal Diagnostic Center
The El Camino Health and Stanford Medicine Children's Health Perinatal Diagnostic Center supports you through every stage of your pregnancy — from prenatal testing to delivery.
Our state-approved Perinatal Diagnostic Center is located on our Mountain View campus in the Sobrato Pavilion. If you're a current patient and have questions, we're here to help.
Our comprehensive team of maternal fetal medicine specialists (high-risk obstetricians), ultrasound technologists and genetic counselors all work together to support you, including offering counseling if you have a high-risk pregnancy.
Our team also includes Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) and registered dietitians who help you manage your diabetes during pregnancy. Through our Sweet Success Program, these care team members support your nutrition, manage your blood sugar and provide frequent ultrasounds to monitor your baby's growth.
At the El Camino Health and Stanford Medicine Children's Health Perinatal Diagnostic Center, we believe care should not only meet your physical needs, but your emotional needs, too. Our experts work with you to make sure you have all the information you need to make the very best choices for your unique situation.
Our Services
Learn more about our services:
- Maternal fetal medicine consultation
- Prenatal diagnosis
- Genetic counseling
- Sweet Success (California Diabetes and Pregnancy Program)
Maternal Fetal Medicine Consultation
Maternal fetal medicine specialists are doctors who have completed training in obstetrics and gynecology and then performed additional training in caring for women with high-risk pregnancies.
Our maternal fetal medicine specialists can help if you’ve experienced a high-risk pregnancy in the past, have a chronic health condition or develop unexpected complications during your pregnancy. They'll discuss your medical or pregnancy history with you and go over how it may affect you and your baby, providing resources and recommendations to you and your OB-GYN.
And, because they want to give you the best care possible, our specialists offer both in-person and telehealth consultations.
Prenatal Diagnosis
Our Perinatal Diagnostic Center offers a full range of screening and diagnostic tests, including ultrasounds, amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling. If you’ve been referred for a screening or diagnostic test, your results will be sent to you and your doctor right away.
Our genetic and perinatal counselors are also available to discuss your test results with you and advise you on how they may affect your pregnancy.
How to Make an Appointment for an Ultrasound
Your doctor must refer you for a screening or diagnostic test at the Perinatal Diagnostic Center. Once our office receives the referral, we will contact you to schedule an appointment.
Tests
The tests we offer include:
- Ultrasound – Ultrasound imaging can have many uses, including verifying your due date, looking at the baby’s anatomy and monitoring its growth.
- Nuchal translucency – A nuchal translucency screen is performed between 12 and 14 weeks of pregnancy to determine whether your baby is at a higher risk for certain genetic conditions, such as Down syndrome.
- Amniocentesis – Amniocentesis is typically performed between 16 and 24 weeks of pregnancy. It uses a sample of amniotic fluid taken during an ultrasound to test for certain chromosomal and genetic disorders, including Down syndrome and cystic fibrosis. Results are typically available in two-and-a-half weeks and reported to you and your doctor.
- Chorionic villus sampling – Chorionic villus sampling, or CVS, is usually performed between 11 and 14 weeks of pregnancy. It involves testing a sample of placental tissue for chromosomal problems. Results are generally available in two-and-a-half weeks and reported to you and your doctor.
- Doppler blood flow – Doppler blood flow is a technique used to evaluate umbilical cord blood flow, placenta function, and fetal anemia.
Talk to your doctor about which test may be best for you and your specific situation.
Genetic Counseling
Genetic counselors help you interpret your family and medical history to determine the chance of genetic disease occurring. They work with you to understand what your genetics mean — from prevention and inheritance to testing and management. They also give you resources so you can make informed decisions.
You may be referred to a genetic counselor if you have:
- An abnormal prenatal screening, DNA test or ultrasound
- A family history of genetic disorders or a background that increases your risk for a genetic disorder
- A history of miscarriages
- Exposure to substances that may increase the risk for birth defects, such as certain drugs and medicines, infections and alcohol
During your appointment, your genetic counselor will recommend testing options based on your family history, ethnicity and pregnancy history — including screenings for chromosomal disorders or particular family traits that may concern you.
How to Make an Appointment With a Genetic Counselor
Your doctor must refer you for genetic counseling at the Perinatal Diagnostic Center. Once our office receives the referral, we will contact you to schedule an appointment.
Before Your Genetic Counseling Appointment
Before your appointment, a genetic counselor will contact you to learn more about your pregnancy and family history. You should also download and complete a genetic counseling questionnaire.
If your appointment is via telehealth, your genetic counselor will send instructions beforehand about how to log in through MyChart – Stanford Children's Health.
After Your Genetic Counseling Appointment
All recommendations and test results are available to you and your doctor as soon as possible.
If your baby tests positive for a genetic condition, our counselors work closely with you and your family — in partnership with Stanford Children's Fetal and Pregnancy Health Program — to help you understand the baby's condition and navigate the necessary prenatal consultations and delivery planning.
Sweet Success (California Diabetes and Pregnancy Program)
If you have diabetes and are either pregnant or planning to become pregnant, our team of specialists can help you have a healthy pregnancy by providing you with the most advanced yet personalized care for you and your baby.
Our Sweet Success team of maternal fetal medicine specialists, Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) and registered dietitians offer these services:
- Help managing your blood sugar during pregnancy to decrease your risk for complications
- Help learning about your diabetes, including how to monitor blood sugar and administer insulin, if necessary
- Frequent ultrasounds to monitor your baby's growth
- Support with nutrition and diet, including meal planning
How to Make an Appointment With Our Sweet Success Program
If you're diagnosed with diabetes during pregnancy, your OB-GYN will refer you to our program. Once our office receives the referral, we will contact you to schedule an appointment.
Before Your Sweet Success Appointment
Before your visit, you'll receive a welcome packet and will need to pick up your glucometer supplies. Our team will help you order your glucometer. Please bring these to your appointment so our team can explain how to use them.
If you need additional supplies, you can reach out to your CDCES for help. You can also use these informational handouts.
If you're a current patient and have questions, contact us:
Our Location
Our Perinatal Diagnostic Center is located on our Mountain View campus in the Sobrato Pavilion.
Our address:
El Camino Health and Stanford Children's Health Perinatal Diagnostic Center
2495 Hospital Drive
Suite 500
Mountain View, CA 94040
650-988-7930 office phone
650-988-7859 office fax
COVID-19 information
Find directions
Campus map
Patient and visitor guide
Visiting Hours
8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday through Friday
Closed Saturday and Sunday
During your scheduled appointment, we allow one healthy visitor. In accordance with hospital policy, masks are required during your visit. If you are ill, please contact the clinic prior to your scheduled appointment.
Telehealth
Telehealth appointments are available for certain services. If you are interested in telehealth, please consult with our schedulers when they call to schedule your appointment.
