Prenatal Care

Pregnancy can feel like a whirlwind, even though it spans about 40 weeks. But knowing what to expect along the way makes things a little easier. Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters, each lasting around 13 weeks or about three months.

First trimester: We’ll see you via a telehealth intake visit after your positive pregnancy test, then again at your first OB visit at about 8 weeks to review your medical history, discuss genetic screening, testing and counseling, determine your estimated due date and perform a transvaginal ultrasound. We’ll check in again at 12 weeks for a physical exam, collect recommended labs and review formal ultrasound results.

Second trimester: We’ll continue to see you monthly unless more frequent check-ins are needed. Around 18-20 weeks, you’ll have your fetal anatomy ultrasound, which is typically the last ultrasound unless there’s a medical reason for more. We’ll screen for gestational diabetes between 26-28 weeks. The second trimester can also be an ideal time to check in with our perinatal behavioral health specialists if you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed or just not yourself.

Third trimester: We’ll typically see you twice a month until week 36, then weekly until delivery. This is a busy time! You will probably:

• Take a Portland birth preparation class
• Make and discuss your birth plan
• Choose a Portland pediatric provider
• Get a Tdap shot (recommended for you and those living with baby)
• Pre-register with the hospital for your labor and delivery
• Consider contraception options after birth (your provider can discuss options)
• Research lactation support
• Pack for the hospital
• Plan newborn decisions (like circumcision)

Fourth Trimester/Postpartum: At WHA, your care doesn’t end at delivery. In the fourth trimester, which covers the first three months of your baby’s life outside the womb and the start of your parenthood journey, we offer follow-up visits tailored to your physical and emotional recovery. Typically, this includes two appointments: the first around three weeks after birth (your postpartum visit) and another around eight weeks, which serves as a complete wellness visit. If postpartum mood changes persist beyond the “baby blues,” our perinatal mental health team is always here to support you.

When selecting an obstetric care provider, the first thing to check is credentials and experience. At WHA, you have two excellent prenatal care options: OB-GYN physicians or certified nurse-midwives. All of our doctors are board-certified in OB-GYN, or for those physicians who have recently finished their residency, will become board-certified within three years of joining our practice. Similarly, all of WHA’s nurse midwives are certified through the American Midwifery Certification Board.

Our OB-GYNs specialize in comprehensive prenatal care, supporting low- and moderate-risk pregnancies. They’re trained to identify and manage complications, including performing cesarean deliveries when needed. A pregnancy may be considered moderate risk if you have conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure or a history of pregnancy complications, meaning your care requires closer monitoring and specialized support.

Certified nurse-midwives are experts in low-risk pregnancy and birth but are also trained to recognize and manage certain types of complications, either alone or in partnership with an OB-GYN. They support a wide range of birth plans, including people planning low-intervention, un-medicated births and those who know they want or decide to have an epidural for pain management.

Not sure which provider is right for you? We’re here to talk through your options and help you choose.