Prenatal Care

High-quality prenatal care is important for your baby’s best possible start. At the Virginia Mason Franciscan Health birth center, our prenatal physicians, nurses and staff provide comprehensive care to guide you through your pregnancy journey.

Your expert partner for quality prenatal care

At locations throughout the Puget Sound, our prenatal professionals work together to care for you and your baby. Your prenatal and childbirth team may include:

• Obstetricians
• Certified nurse-midwives
• Experienced labor and delivery nurses
• Neonatologists: Pediatrician specialists who care for ill, fragile or premature newborns
• Perinatologists: Obstetrician specialists who manage care for women at risk of complications. Find out more about our high-risk pregnancy care.

Learn more about our family birth centers and sign up for a tour

Prenatal genetic counseling

You can learn about your baby’s health before birth through prenatal counseling. Our genetic counselors can discuss:

• Genetic conditions
• Possible risks of pregnancy
• Possible congenital health problems in the fetus that may be influenced by the parents’ age and health

To help make any prenatal diagnosis of the fetus, testing involves:

• Testing the amniotic fluid or membranes
• Ultrasounds

To learn more, talk to your OB or midwife at your next prenatal appointment.

Childbirth education classes and prenatal group program

Our childbirth and parenting classes help you and your family prepare for your new baby. Find out more about our family education classes, and register online.

Our CenteringPregnancy® prenatal groups, led by our certified nurse-midwives or obstetricians, provide prenatal care and an opportunity to connect with other expectant moms.

Support resources

Community support services, including WIC (Women, Infants and Children Program), provide preventive health care, nutrition education and other support and services for underserved and uninsured women and children.

Choose a provider for pregnancy care and childbirth

Get started on your maternity journey at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health:

Download our free guide

Preparing for childbirth can be overwhelming. To help you get started, we’ve created a free downloadable guide that provides everything you need to know as you take your first steps toward motherhood with Virginia Mason Franciscan Health.