Providers Specialize in Prenatal Diagnosis and Coordination of Care for Patients

San Fernando Valley patients with medically complex pregnancies can now seek world-class care, close to home, with a Tarzana-based team of Cedars-Sinai maternal-fetal medicine specialists.

Since April, Maternal Fetal Medicine at Tarzana has been open to patients five days a week. The practice includes four maternal-fetal medicine specialists, genetic counselors and a diabetes nurse educator.

“We’re here to help with any consultation needs and to co-manage complex maternal or fetal issues throughout the pregnancy, alongside the OB-GYN,” said Emily L. Seet, MD, the practice’s medical director. “Prenatal care is still provided by the patients’ own OB-GYN, and we honor that primary relationship.”

The Tarzana specialists offer a full suite of services, including comprehensive obstetric ultrasound, fetal echocardiography, diagnostic testing (such as amniocentesis), nonstress testing, diabetes management and genetic counseling. Chorionic villus sampling is coordinated through the Perinatal Diagnostic Center near Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

“Our expertise includes ultrasound detection of fetal abnormalities, prenatal diagnosis and collaboration with patients to manage medical conditions that may have been present prior to the pregnancy or newly diagnosed, such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia or other hypertension complications,” Seet said.

The maternal-fetal team offers patients education and support, in addition to diagnoses.

“When an ultrasound reveals unexpected or abnormal findings, we are here to help patients understand their pregnancy and medical options,” Seet said. “We provide patients with the most up-to-date, evidence-based options for management and treatment. We help coordinate care as much as possible before delivery and connect them with any resources that might be needed to optimize pregnancy outcomes.”

The team performs outpatient consultations at their office as well as inpatient visits at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center.

“We are available for consultation of patients admitted during the antepartum for any range of conditions that may include preterm labor, premature rupture of membranes, bleeding or hypertension complications, or other obstetric complications,” Seet said.

The team refers patients to other world-class specialists as needed.

“We have a strong network of specialists within the Cedars-Sinai system,” Seet said, “so, if there are needs for additional subspecialty care to help with pregnancy management, we can help to connect patients with the right resources.”

In addition to Seet, the Tarzana practice includes maternal-fetal medicine specialists Mariam Naqvi, MD, Gabriela Dellapiana, MD, and Tania F. Esakoff, MD.

To refer a patient to the Tarzana practice, call 424-314-7680. The Tarzana office staff will connect with the patient for scheduling, and they may reach out to your office for prior authorization needs. Often, the Tarzana physicians can meet with new patients within a week—or sooner for more urgent cases.

The practice is expected to expand into a multispecialty center for women’s health in the near future. Specialists in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, cardiology, neurology (a headache specialist) and orthopaedic surgery will soon join the Tarzana team.

To refer your patient to Maternal Fetal Medicine at Tarzana, call 424-314-7680.