Prenatal Care

Advanced, personalized support for expectant parents

Supporting Expectant Parents Every Step of the Way

Prenatal care at Mount Auburn Hospital takes a comprehensive approach to supporting expectant parents throughout their pregnancy. From regular check-ups to screenings, tests, education, and counseling, Mount Auburn Hospital creates a thorough and nurturing environment for your journey.

For high-risk pregnancies or specific medical concerns, the hospital has a network of specialists available to provide additional care and support. After delivery, our dedicated care team continues to assist with postpartum check-ups and recovery resources, ensuring that you have the support you need during this important time.

Get more details on what you expect during your pregnancy appointments at Mount Auburn Hospital.

Collaborative Pregnancy Care Providers

At Mount Auburn Hospital, you can choose a pregnancy and birth care provider that fits you. Your team might include the following:

Certified nurse-midwife (CNM): Certified nurse-midwives are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who are experts in supporting pregnant people through the pregnancy and birth process.
Nurse practitioner (NP): Provides prenatal care in collaboration with obstetricians and CNMs.
Obstetrician: Specializes in caring for patients during pregnancy, labor and birth. Obstetricians have advanced training to manage complications and perform cesarean births.

No matter which type of provider you choose, you’ll have access to the expertise of our entire team. That’s because our providers work closely together. Doctors and midwives share offices. That way, you experience seamless care from your first prenatal appointment to the moment you welcome your baby.

Your Prenatal Appointments: What To Expect

Throughout your pregnancy, you visit your obstetrician, midwife or NP regularly to:

Discuss your questions or concerns.
Get other exams and tests as necessary, such as ultrasounds and genetic tests.
Manage health conditions, such as preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy) or gestational diabetes.
Measure your baby’s growth.
Monitor your health.
Share your expectations and preferences for labor and delivery.

Parent Education Programs & Classes

To help you prepare for your new baby, Mount Auburn Hospital offers a series of childbirth education programs. Our own certified childbirth educators and registered nurses teach these courses.

We offer a full range of education programs for your whole family with both in-person and virtual options, including the following:

Breastfeeding classes
Childbirth classes
Childcare classes
Postpartum classes with a focus on fourth trimester care
Prenatal classes

Learn more about our parent and family education classes and programs.

Group Prenatal Care

Mount Auburn Hospital provides group prenatal care as an option for receiving care during your pregnancy. In our group prenatal care program, you would be matched with a small group of people with similar due dates. Your group meets with a certified nurse-midwife or obstetrician to share and learn from one another.

Participants benefit from shared knowledge, peer support and a reduced risk of preterm labor. Talk to your provider to see if group prenatal care is right for you.

High-Risk Pregnancies

If you have a chronic health condition or develop an unexpected complication during pregnancy, you may need additional pregnancy care. The perinatology experts on our team are here to help you and your baby stay as healthy as possible.

Our maternal-fetal medicine specialists (perinatologists) have advanced training in caring for those with high-risk pregnancies, including but not limited to:

Endocrine disorders
Hematologic disorders
Hypertensive disorders
Multiple gestations (twins)
Placenta previa
Preterm labor
Preterm rupture of membranes
Vasa previa
Velamentous cord insertions

These specialists collaborate with your regular obstetrician or midwife to provide care tailored to you.

Prenatal Neonatology Consultations

Neonatologists are pediatricians with advanced training in caring for premature or ill newborns. If you have questions or concerns about your baby’s development during your pregnancy, you can meet with a neonatologist. These specialists can also provide answers to your questions about the safety of medications during pregnancy or discuss conditions that have been diagnosed prenatally.

What To Expect with Your Prenatal Visits

During your prenatal visits at Mount Auburn Hospital, you can look forward to a supportive and informative experience designed to meet your needs as an expectant parent. Each appointment is an opportunity to ensure both you and your baby are healthy and to provide the support you need throughout your pregnancy journey.

You can expect regular health assessments to monitor your vital signs and your baby's development through ultrasounds and tests, along with various screenings, including blood tests for conditions like gestational diabetes and anemia. You'll receive guidance on essential topics such as nutrition and exercise, and have the chance to discuss your emotional well-being. As your due date approaches, you’ll go over your birth plan and what to expect postpartum, including recovery and newborn care. Don’t hesitate to bring up any questions or concerns during your visits, and if you have a high-risk pregnancy, the hospital's specialists will be available for additional, tailored support.

Additional information about a variety of specific topics is listed below that you will need during the course of your pregnancy. If you have questions specific to your care or pregnancy, please discuss them with us at your prenatal visits.

Initial Obstetrical Visit

Congratulations on your new arrival! Below you will find several resources that you will need during your first trimester:

28 Weeks

At 28 weeks you will need to make several decisions regarding your labor and delivery. Below you will find several important documents you will need to consider and complete at this time.

36 Weeks

At 36 weeks it is time to start looking forward to your new arrival. Below you will find additional resources for what will happen during your hospital stay and beyond.