Prenatal Care with our Midwives

Prenatal care is very important to the health of you and your baby. Early initiation of care and regular prenatal visits provide the best outcomes. We provide comprehensive prenatal care to our clients. One of the hallmarks of midwifery care is shared decision making. We want you to be an active participant in your care. We see our role as a partner in your care.

Your Prenatal Appointments & Labwork

Our midwifery appointments include education, physical assessments and plenty of time for questions, stories and just getting to know each other. Prenatal care is provided on the same schedule as most obstetrical practices across the country. In the first and second trimester you will be seen once a month. At 28 weeks we will see you every 2 weeks until you reach 36 weeks. At this point you will be seen weekly.

We can order prenatal labs to independent local labs or for convenience we provide in office lab draws. We make referrals for ultrasounds or other testing as needed.

connecticut birth center midwives prenatal care

Discover the difference of prenatal care with midwives!

First Prenatal Visit
(7-8 weeks pregnancy)

✓  Health history and physical exam
✓  Review family's health history
✓  Check your blood pressure, height and weight
✓  Calculate your due date
✓  Perform an early Ultrasound if indicated
✓  Answer your questions

Second Prenatal Visit
(2-4 weeks later)

✓  More time to get to know you and your birth wishes
✓  Blood pressure check
✓  Learn to dip your own urine and weigh yourself.
✓  Order labwork and urine screening (done in our office)
✓  Review genetic screening / testing options
✓  First trimester education incl. nutrition and exercise.
✓  Check baby’s heart rate using a doppler
✓  Address early pregnancy signs and symptoms
✓  Review previous pregnancy health and birth history
✓  If needed, arrange consult with Maternal Fetal Medicine specialists for high risk pregnancies

Regular Prenatal Visits
(12 - 42 weeks)

✓  Blood pressure check
✓  You will weigh yourself and dip your urine.
✓  At the 20 week mark, we begin to measure your uterus for appropriate growth of the baby. This is non-invasive and uses a tape measure. We can also teach you how to do this and later, in the third trimester, belly map your baby’s position.
✓  Check the baby's heart rate

Our Style of Care

At each visit, we take your lead. We usually start with how you are feeling and answering your questions. We continue to address normal pregnancy signs and symptoms throughout pregnancy and help you find comfortable natural remedies for most of these pregnancy discomforts. We encourage childbirth education and breastfeeding preparation which we discuss in the third trimester.