A Perinatal Office is Born

Bridgeport Hospital's new Trumbull perinatal office is living up to its job: after a difficult pregnancy, it is thriving.

Although it's been open since Valentine's Day, staff of the office at 5520 Park Ave. cut a pink and blue ribbon Wednesday evening. Getting to Valentine's Day required a tough process of getting a certificate from the state.

Dr. Harold Sauer, chairman of the Obstetrics & Gynecology Department, called the office "one of the nicest suites in the building."

The rented space formerly housed a plastic surgery practice and needed little renovation. It comes complete with a chandelier and upscale decor, two ultrasound rooms, two consultation rooms, two consulting offices and room for "non-stressed testing," said Dr. Robert Stiller, section chief of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Bridgeport Hospital. The ultrasound rooms feature 46-inch screen monitors.

Officially, the office is called Park Avenue Perinatal Specialists. It is the second outpatient perinatal office in the region and its location, off the Merritt Parkway near the tritown area, is closer than Bridgeport Hospital. 

"It's a hybrid. It's a hospital-related practice structure in a private setting," according to Sauer.

Perinatal refers before, during and after pregnancy, particularly dealing with difficult or risky pregnancies. "We tell them [when] it's safe to conceive. We'll monitor them during the pregnancy," said Linda Timpanelli, a nurse.

Other staff are board-certified perinatologists are Stiller and Drs. Steven Laifer and Gary Kleinman, and Gina Dunston-Boone, MD, MPH. The practice also offers genetic and other counseling.

Timpanelli said office performs 45 ultrasounds and 15 genetic counseling sessions a week.

Deborah Cox, Economic Development director, praised the facility.

“Having had some concerns during pregnancy and following the birth of my children many years ago, I am very cognizant of the importance of the services this practice provides.  I am delighted and proud that such an important service is conveniently located here in Trumbull,” she said.

Bridgeport Hospital is also building a cancer treatment facility next to the office complex and has other offices in the building, said John Cappiello, hospital spokesman.

"I am proud. This is clearly a pioneering service," said Bill Jennings, hospital president.