HealthEast 1st prenatal w/midwife, what to expect?

lbarrer · January 2014

Hello, this is my first pregnancy and after watching "The Business of Birth" I have decided to go with a midwife/natural birth. I have my first prenatal with a midwife at the HealthEast Grand Ave. clinic and am wondering what to expect at the first appt. Will they do an ultrasound? I will be 8 weeks along at the appointment. Thanks for your help:)

suburbanstepmom · January 2014

I don't have any insight as we are still TTC but I am interested to see others' answer to this question. I personally will likely go to Health Foudations on Grand Ave!

NatesCupcake47 · January 2014

I used Healtheast Midwives for DD and loved them. I'm a FTM and DD was born in September at Woodwinds. At my first appointment they did an exam and talked through any questions I had and told me my due date. I had been charting so we knew how far along I was so didn't have a dating ultrasound. I think a dating ultrasound is pretty typical these days though- they are done off site though- so if you are needing one they should give you a referral and you can book it from there. (They sent me to St. Paul Radiology when the time came for my a/s).

I worked with Katie and Linda throughout my pregnancy. Bridget spent 12 hours with me on delivery day and she was AMAZING. I recommend seeing as many of the midwives as possible because they work on call at the hospital and you never know who you will end up seeeing.

lbarrer · January 2014

Thanks so much for the feedback! I charted as well, so I will probably not need an ultrasound. My 1st appt is with Annie, so excited!!

ladygeek83 · January 2014

Congratulations! I also did my prenatal care with the HealthEast midwives (at Woodwinds), and was very happy with my experience. I would definitely use them again if I have another low-risk pregnancy.

At our first appointment, they determined my due date from LMP, took weight/blood pressure, measured fundal height, answered any questions, and listened to the baby's heartbeat. I also didn't have a dating ultrasound since my fundal height matched my estimated due date; I had also charted and knew it was accurate. I would say all prenatal appointments through the whole pregnancy were pretty much the same routine, with the exception of the ones where they did additional tests like glucose or group B strep.

I only had one ultrasound (standard one at 20 weeks) and that was scheduled separately, at one of the radiology facilities. I think midwives tend to be a little more "hands off" than standard OB prenatal care, and less likely to do additional ultrasounds unless they find it to be necessary.

And NatesCupcake, Bridget delivered my baby. I had never seen her before at a prenatal appointment, but that was not a problem and she was great!

Eve_Angelique · January 2014

Great choice! I second @NatesCupcake47, see as many midwives as you can throughout your pregnancy just to get a chance to meet several of them. I saw Katie, Linda, Angela, Ondrea, and Kathleen - maybe another one as well that I can't recall. Kathleen is the one who was on the day I delivered and she was wonderful. I delivered at Woodwinds and had a wonderful experience, can't wait to do it again!

luvU2theMoon · February 2014

I am at health east on grand with the midwives and i saw Amy for most of my pregnancy but i am going to be seeing different midwives from here until april to get to know them all. i would recommend seeing them all earlier than later since you dont know who will deliver you. i am sooo happy with the grand clinic and i started with an OB and i am SO happy i switched!

rachelsholiday · February 2014

I have also been seeing the HealthEast midwives and they are amazing! I started out seeing Amy at Grand Ave. but started to see Brielle when centering started in my second trimester.

I would also recommend seeing as many of the midwives as you can. I would also HIGHLY recommend doing centering if you can. It is so am amazing to have a built-in group of women that are due around the same time as you. My experience has been phenomenal.

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