How to choose where to have a baby with hypoplastic left heart syndrome who will require a norwood procedure: need detailed source of info on costs, survival rates, etc at various hospitals.

Tertiarycare hospi.: Choose nearest university hospital with nicu with reputable peds cardiac surgeons with experience.

Tough decisions: I'm sorry that you have to deal with this and wish you the best. There are not that many centers that do this. Costs will depend on your insurance and the hospital you pick. As far as survival, these procedures are very rare. You can ask for the number they do and their survival rates. They should give that to you. For hplhs heart transplant is often needed. Good luck and take care.

Ask: If you have a fetal echo to diagnose prenatally this condition, the physician counseling you about the diagnosis is a good place to start asking these questions. And do ask these questions.

Great question: One of the most valuable resources for parents of a child with hypoplastic left heart syndrome is an organization called sisters by heart. They have great parent resources to help parents develop expectations and help to learn about the important factors to help your baby as healthy as possible. http://www.sisters-by-heart.org.

Begin by connecting : With a resource group in your area, to talk to others who have faced a similar challenge. Support groups are available online, at sites such as http://tchin.Org/index.Htm . Speak to different doctors, surgeons, and families, as each may have helpful opinions and information. Your fetal cardiologist (doctor who read the echocardiogram and provided this diagnosis) should be able to help as well.