Pregnancy & Childbirth

When you’re expecting, rely on a Cone Health Medical Group doctor or midwife to provide care, support and understanding. Your provider will get to know you, your wishes, and your values to facilitate the best pregnancy and birth experience for you and your baby.

Doctor or Midwife?

Find a provider whose expertise and approach to care match your health needs and childbirth preferences. Our network of prenatal care providers includes:

• Obstetricians or OB-GYNs – Care for you during and after pregnancy; can perform cesarean deliveries
• Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) – Emphasize a low-intervention approach to prenatal and birth care for women in good health
• Family medicine doctors – Offer lifelong care for you and your baby, including during and after pregnancy

Promoting a Healthy Pregnancy

Keep yourself and your baby healthy by visiting your doctor or midwife regularly. You’ll probably see your provider about once a month for weeks four through 28, twice a month for weeks 28 through 36, and weekly for weeks 36 to birth. At these appointments, your doctor or midwife will monitor your health, measure your baby’s growth, and address your questions or concerns.

You’ll also learn about what you can do to give your baby a great start, such as:

• Taking folic acid
• Avoiding alcohol and tobacco
• Stopping medications that are unsafe during pregnancy
• Eating a healthful diet
• Following recommendations for physical activity

Prenatal Tests & Screenings

Your doctor or midwife may recommend tests that detect conditions that can increase the risk of complications. The results can help you make decisions about your and your baby’s care. Your provider may suggest:

• Amniocentesis – Detects genetic conditions by testing the amniotic fluid
• Chronic villus sampling (CVS) – Reveals genetic conditions by testing a tissue sample
• Glucose screening test – Measures the amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood to test for gestational diabetes
• Noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) – Screens for genetic conditions by testing your blood
• Nonstress test (NST) or fetal heart rate monitoring – Checks your baby’s heart rate to make sure he or she is getting enough oxygen
• Ultrasound – Uses high-frequency sound waves to monitor your baby’s growth and development
• 3-D/4-D ultrasound – Creates a three-dimensional image (3-D) or real-time video (4-D) of your baby

Your provider may suggest other tests or procedures depending on your and your baby’s health.

Care for High-Risk Pregnancies

Your pregnancy may be considered high risk if you experience a health condition, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, or your baby shows signs of a congenital anomaly, often referred to as a birth defect.
Find consultations, screenings and support to keep you and your baby as healthy as possible at The Center for Maternal Fetal Care at Cone Health Women’s Hospital in Greensboro or the Perinatal Clinic at Alamance Regional Medical Center in Burlington.

If you’re a patient at Femina Women’s Center, enjoy highly specialized care close to home with telemedicine services from UNC Medical Center maternal-fetal medicine specialists—obstetricians who are experts in high-risk pregnancies.

Family-Centered Birth

When it’s time to welcome your little one, you’ll enjoy family-centered maternity care at Cone Health Women’s Hospital in Greensboro or the BirthPlace at Alamance Regional Medical Center in Burlington.

Because we all use Cone HealthLink, your care team will have immediate, secure access to your medical records when you arrive at the hospital to deliver your baby.

Water Birth

If you deliver at Women’s Hospital, you may have the option of a water birth. With this alternative birthing option, you’ll labor in a tub of warm water, which may:

• Allow for freer movement and positioning
• Ease pain, leading to less need for medications
• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Require less energy expenditure

Throughout your water birth experience, you’ll benefit from the experience, expertise and support of CHMG certified nurse-midwives. Our midwives have special training in water births and have delivered hundreds of babies through this method.