Women's Health

Advanced Ultrasounds

Ultrasounds are performed to examine the uterus and ovaries and to assess your fetus. Most commonly, ultrasounds are performed with a device outside of your body, but at times may require a device to be inserted into the body. Our team is specially trained to diagnose and treat complex prenatal complications using technology with the highest level of accuracy in ultrasound imaging. In fact, we were first in the State of Texas to receive certification as an adjunct detailed fetal anatomic ultrasound center by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.

Birth Tissue Donation

DHR Women’s Hospital proudly offers a free birth tissue donation program in partnership with South Texas Blood & Tissue Center, a subsidiary of BioBridge Global. Mothers can donate birth tissue after the delivery of a living newborn. Donating placenta gives hope to those who are seriously ill or injured, and can be used for the treatment of burns/wounds, reconstruction procedures, spinal cord injuries, diabetic ulcers, among other things. The placenta is normally discarded by the hospital after birth. Most healthy moms are eligible to donate their placenta. If you would like to donate, all you need to do is notify your nurse when you are admitted. All kits and paperwork are kept on site for your convenience; no advance preparation is necessary. Feel free to contact us at bornahero@southtexasblood.org for more information.

Breastfeeding and Lactation Program

The DHR Health Women's Hosptial has been designated a Texas Ten Step facility, which means we're dedicated to supporting your breastfeeding needs and provide all the support needed to get you and your baby off to a good start before going home. Once your baby is born, members of the nursing staff who have received training in breastfeeding assistance will help you with feeding basics position and latch, pumping fundamentals, and more advanced techniques when necessary. This help can start immediately after delivery in your labor and delivery suite if requested. We also have a team of board-certified lactation consultants available to provide assistance, education and special breastfeeding equipment if necessary.

Childbirth Education Classes

Our friendly and certified birthing educators cover a variety of topics, such as what to expect during labor, relaxation and breathing techniques, and healthly prenatal and postpartum lifestyles. Free classes are offered twice a month in both English (1) and Spanish (1). The class is held in a relaxed setting and includes a guided tour of our state-of-the-art women’s facility. Call (956) 362-4689, (956) 362-2229 or visit our events page for more information.

Cord Blood Donation

DHR Women’s Hospital proudly offers a free cord blood donation program in partnership with the Texas Cord Blood Bank. Cord blood is the blood left over in the umbilical cord and placenta once a baby is born. This blood is a rich source of stem cells and is currently used as an alternative to bone marrow transplant in treating more than 80 life-threatening diseases. The umbilical cord is normally discarded after birth, so participating in this program can only benefit patients in need and it is completely free for you. Most healthy moms are eligible to donate their cord blood. If you would like to donate, notify your nurse when you are admitted. All kits and paperwork are kept on site for your convenience; no advance preparation is necessary. Feel free to contact us at bornahero@southtexasblood.org for more information.

Diabetes during Pregnancy

We provide counseling and education, glucose monitoring, and fetal monitoring to ensure positive pregnancy outcomes for women who are diagnosed with diabetes before pregnancy (type 1 or 2) or during pregnancy (gestational diabetes). By making lifestyle changes and taking medication (if necessary), you can manage your gestational diabetes effectively. Your maternal fetal medicine doctor will guide you throughout your pregnancy and delivery to ensure the best health outcomes for you and your baby.

Family Care Liaison

The NICU has a dedicated Family Care Liaison that helps create a supportive environment while keeping families informed and empowered. Our Family Care Liaison works closely with families to facilitate education, support, and effective communication with medical providers to enhance family-centered care and to ensure common goals.

Fetal Echocardiograms

A fetal echocardiogram is a detailed view of your baby's heart using ultrasound imaging. During the exam, your physician will be able to detect abnormalities in the structure of your baby's heart. An echocardiogram will not put you or your baby at risk.

Fetal Testing and Treatment

Modern technology has greatly expanded the types of tests and procedures that can be done to help care for you and your baby. Fetal diagnosis and treatment is a collaborative effort between specialists from many different areas, including obstetrics, maternal fetal medicine, and surgery. While some birth defects are best treated during pregnancy or with surgery immediately after birth, other fetal abnormalities can be treated before birth to reduce some of the life-threatening consequences of the defects.

Fetal Transfusion

A fetal transfusion, or intrauterine transfusion, is the transfer of red blood cells to your fetus. A transfusion may become necessary if your fetus has anemia, which could be caused by Rh incompatibility, a viral infection, or twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.

Genetic Counseling

Genetic counseling helps people understand how genes, medical conditions, and birth defects may affect their family's health. Genetic testing can be done to show how your baby may be at risk for a health condition, and we can help you understand test results to make the best decisions for your family. Genetic counseling is available before or during pregnancy.

Gynecology

Our gynecology team cares for the health needs of women of all ages, from adolescent development through pregnancy and older age. We specialize in minimally invasive surgery, with special attention paid to providing post-operative care, including pain management, wound care and patient education to facilitate a smooth and successful recovery period.

High Risk Pregnancy

For pregnant women with chronic health problems, or unexpected problems that develop during pregnancy, we provide care every step of the way to ensure a healthy pregnancy and delivery. If your baby has a birth defect, we can start treatment before birth and meticulously plan for the delivery and care after birth. We will collaborate with your obstetrician, surgeon, pediatrician, and any other necessary care provider to ensure you receive the best care possible. We are available 24/7 so you receive care when you need it most.

Lacatation Program

The lactaction program aims to educate mothers about breastfeeding so they can feel more comfortable and confident about the breastfeeding experience. We are a designated a Texas Ten Step hospital, dedicated to supporting all mothers' breastfeeding needs to ensure the best outcomes once at home. The lactation program is led by board certified lactation consultants who offer monthly prenatal breastfeeding courses and provide assistance post-partum.

For more information regarding our breastfeeding resources and classes, call (956) 362-4030.

Lamaze Classes

We offer the only certified Lamaze program in the Rio Grande Valley! The goal of Lamaze is educate women and their partners about the birthing process while also increasing the woman's confidence in her ability to give birth. Mothers will learn about labor and birth, focused breathing techniques, options for pain management and early interaction with your baby. The Lamaze program is held every Wednesday from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. for four (4) consecutive weeks.

Call (956) 362-4030 or visit our events page for more information.

Multiple Pregnancy Management

In the case of a multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets, etc.), we are here to guide you every step of the way. Being pregnant with multiples can increase the risk of maternal and fetal complications, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and premature birth. Our specially trained team will take every step necessary to ensure your babies are growing and healthy. We provide individualized counseling and coordinated care for each woman and her babies.

NICU Library and Reading Program

The NICU Reading Program encourages parents of babies in the NICU to read at least 20 minutes a day to their baby, to help develop their cognitive learning. The library, Theo’s Library, was created by the family of a NICU patient who recognized the different reading made in their baby’s development.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

We are home to a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) that cares for the most fragile of babies. Our team of neonatologists and subspecialized neonatal nurses and therapists works closely with parents to ensure all babies receive the special care they need while also providing support to families. Our NICU program is ranked among the top 5% of neonatal intensive care units in the nation by the Vermont Oxford Network. For the majority of complications caused by prematurity–– chronic lung disease, intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, and retinopathy of prematurity–– our NICU ranks among the top 1% in the world.

Noninvasive Prenatal Testing

Noninvasive prenatal testing is a method of screening for certain chromosomal abnormalities in your baby. This method is done using a blood sample from your arm, and the blood is then tested. This method is safe for you and your baby.

Nurse Family Partnership

The Nurse Family Partnership at DHR Health Women's Hospital helps transform the lives of mothers and their children. A nurse’s expertise helps guide first-time mothers through the emotional, social and physical challenges they face as they prepare for a healthy birth. Prenatal support is the starting point, but the nurse continues to serve her client after she delivers her child, teaching parenting and life skills that foster positive growth for both mother and child. Nurse-Family Partnership focuses on low-income, first-time mothers. Women voluntarily enroll as early as possible with nurse home visits, ideally beginning by the 16th week of pregnancy. Each mother served is partnered with a registered nurse early in her pregnancy and receives ongoing nurse home visits that continue through her child’s second birthday.

Obstetrics

Since opening in 2007, we have delivered over 170,000 babies. From standard to high-risk pregnancies, our facility is equipped with the technology and medical expertise to provide mothers and their families a comfortable and pleasant stay. Our hospital has 31 birthing suites to provide privacy and comfort during labor.

Perinatal Certification

DHR Health Women's Hospital is proud to have received The Joint Commission Perinatal Care Certification. This certifcation focuses on achieving integrated, coordinated, patient-centered care for clinically uncomplicated pregnancies and births. The certification program will use standards, guidelines, and The Joint Commission’s perinatal care core performance measures for managing and monitoring aspects of perinatal care that are critical to improving and maintaining the health of newborns and their mothers.

Postpartum Depression

Did you know that postpartum mood and anxiety disorders affect 1 out of 7 women? Postpartum depression is very common, and can be challenging for many new mothers. You don’t have to go through this alone. Get support from a licensed professional counselor at the DHR Health Counseling and Psychiatry Center by calling (956) 961-4691.

Surgical Services

Our women's surgical services include minimally invasive procedures that result in faster recovery times, less pain and less scaring. Minimally invasive endoscopy and laparoscopic and robotic surgical techniques are all available to provide women with the best possible outcomes. Surgical procedures offered include hysterectomy, removal of scar tissue, removal of ovarian cysts/tumors, hernia repair, fibroid removal and more.

Texas Ten Step Certification

We have taken a giant step towards improving the health of newborns and infants by earning the Texas Ten Step Program facility designation from the Texas Department of State Health Services. As the first hospital in the Rio Grande Valley to receive Texas Ten Step Program designation, we encourage breastfeeding as the preferred method of feeding for newborns and infants. We also provide breastfeeding employees with a clean, private room for pumping, accessories needed for cleaning pumps and refrigerated storage. We host a free breastfeeding support group for new or expectant moms, and lactation consultation services are available for mothers experiencing difficulties with breastfeeding.

Transition to Home Program and Neurodevelopment Follow Up Programs

Transition-to-Home & Neurodevelopmental Follow-Up Program (NDFP) is a program that guides families of high-risk infants through the transition-to-home process and ultimately reviews the child’s developmental milestones to ensure he/she is on track by the time he/she graduates from our follow-up program. After a safe transition home, appointments are scheduled every 3-4 months through the first year of life and then every 6 months thereafter for a developmental Bayley’s evaluation. One of the main goals is to prevent hospital readmission.

VBAC

For women who have already had a cesarean birth, or c-section, there is still potential for their next baby to be born vaginally. This is called vaginal birth after cesarean (also called VBAC). More than 7 out of 10 women who try a VBAC are successful in having their baby vaginally. Talk to your health care provider to find out if VBAC may be a good choice for you and your baby. Not all obstetricians, hospitals or birthing centers offer VBAC. DHR Health Women’s Hospital is able to offer VBACs due to the availability of in house obstetricians 24/7. Rest assured, you will have specialized nursing staff and a physician available immediately if needed.