PRENATAL CARE
Your prenatal care is designed to be a deeply informed, collaborative experience. Our role is to guide, support, and educate you throughout your pregnancy so you always understand what’s happening with your body, your baby, and your choices.
Unlike other models of care in which visits typically last 5-15 minutes, you will receive 45 minutes of personalized care from your midwife. This gives us plenty of time to get to know one another, and to equip you to make informed decisions regarding you and your baby’s care.
We also welcome your family or anyone you plan to be present at the birth to be as involved as you’d like—they often feel more relaxed and connected when they’re included in these moments.
Prenatal visits typically last about 30 minutes, giving us plenty of unrushed time to talk, answer questions, explore your preferences, and prepare you for birth, breastfeeding if you so wish, and postpartum.
Each visit includes checking your blood pressure, listening to your baby’s heartbeat, feeling your baby’s position, measuring their growth, and even complimentary ultrasounds as often as you’d like to see your baby—always explaining what we’re doing and why, so you never feel left in the dark.
Prenatal care may be offered as part of a homebirth (both standard and signature) or birth center package, provided alongside a planned hospital birth, or used as a standalone service for families who want midwifery-based guidance throughout pregnancy. For this reason, we do not have any set pricing as it will vary based on the client’s needs.
No matter where you plan to give birth, this level of informed, personalized care supports you every step of the way.
Throughout your prenatal journey, you’ll be offered a variety of third-party services that support a full picture of your health and your baby’s well-being. These include standard obstetric recommendations such as initial bloodwork, genetic or carrier screening (if desired), a diagnostic ultrasound, and a detailed anatomy scan around 20 weeks. Around 28 weeks, you’ll also be offered routine lab work, including screening for gestational diabetes, as well as any follow-up testing when medically indicated. If you’d like, a cervical exam can be performed early in pregnancy, though this is never required.
We also provide referrals to trusted local providers for supportive care, such as chiropractic care, massage therapy, and pelvic floor physical therapy, which can help with alignment, comfort, and overall wellness throughout pregnancy. Every step of the way, we explain what each test or recommendation is for, what your options are, and what the results might mean—so you always have the information you need to make choices that align with your values and comfort.
QUICK ANSWER FAQs
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You will have the option of having all the same tests that are available with a physician or nurse-midwife; these include Pap smear, STI screening, & prenatal lab panel which includes blood and urine tests that screen for blood type, antibodies, platelet count, hemoglobin, possible infections, anemia & other deficiencies. We can also order genetic testing & refer you for a diagnostic ultrasound.
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We require a diagnostic scan for all clients which would be performed after 20 weeks gestation—although you have the option of seeing your baby at every appointment!
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We believe all women should be educated about their bodies and the birth process.
We require that all clients have previously had an unmedicated birth, have taken an approved childbirth class, or hire a doula. -
We recommend you walk for at least 20 minutes each day. Focus on eating protein, fresh produce and drinking lots of water. Nutrition, exercise and diet are some of the most important things that you can do for your pregnancy.
If you decide to work with us, you will never have to wonder about any of these things!
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Especially while you are pregnant or nursing, you should avoid smoking, alcohol, and drugs.
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Sleeping on your back is typically discouraged later in pregnancy because of the baby’s increasing weight. Your body will communicate with you when you should stop sleeping on your back due to the discomfort—although it’s typically in the second to third trimester.
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We understand that typical “normal” activities can cause anxiety for first-time parents or even after a pregnancy loss. Rest assured that you are welcome to have sex as often or as little as you like throughout your pregnancy—your baby is well protected.
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We absolutely recommend additional supportive care such as chiropractic care, massage therapy, and pelvic floor therapy as needed.
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All clients will be given informed consent about gestational diabetes and testing. We can perform most tests in our office or at Quest labs right next door.
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At 35-37 weeks you will be offered a vaginal culture for Group B Strep. Prior to any test or procedure you will be informed of the risks and benefits to you & your baby and given time to make an informed decision.