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Choosing a Maternity Care Provider

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health is home to knowledgeable, compassionate maternity care providers. We get to know you and tailor services to your preferences for an experience that’s uniquely yours. 

Our approach has earned the trust of families from throughout the Puget Sound area. Patients consistently remark about how comfortable they feel in our care, often from the very first visit. So it's no surprise that families see the same maternity care provider for future pregnancies.

Maternity care at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health: Why choose us?

Our team includes highly skilled obstetricians, certified nurse midwives and family medicine providers. All providers use the latest techniques to help expecting mothers feel their best and prepare for welcoming their baby. Meet our team.

Highlights of our maternity care provider team include: 

  • Comprehensive care: Your maternity care provider monitors your health and baby’s development through regular visits. Our experience in treating a high volume of pregnancies helps us detect concerns in earlier stages. We also give you helpful tips for feeling your best through all stages of pregnancy. Learn more about prenatal care.
      
  • Personalized birth experience: For a natural birth experience, you may wish to choose a certified nurse midwife. If you prefer more of a traditional (hospital-based) experience, our OBs or family medicine providers may be right for you. All providers listen to your preferences and help you develop a personalized birth plan. Explore labor and delivery.
       
  • Compassion: We understand that you may be nervous and likely have a lot of questions. Our providers are attentive and easy to talk to, so you receive all the information you need. Families leave their appointments with peace of mind and excitement about the next steps of their pregnancy journey.
      
  • Convenience: Maternity care providers are available in clinic locations throughout the Puget Sound area. Many offer virtual visits and online appointment scheduling, making it easier to fit maternity care into your busy schedule. We are also easy to reach between appointments through MyChart and MyVirginiaMason, our online patient portals.

Families are often so pleased with our maternity care providers that they often recommend our providers to their friends.

Types of maternity care providers

  • Obstetricians (OBs) are physicians who completed specialized training in the medical and surgical care of the female reproductive system. They provide a full range of maternity services, including medically assisted deliveries with pain medication and vaginal birth after cesarean section (VBAC) or C-sections if necessary. You can also receive well-woman care from an obstetrician when you are not pregnant. 

    Find out more: 

  • Board-certified nurse midwives are advanced practice nurses with midwifery training. They help women who wish to give birth without pain medications. Nurse midwives offer emotional support and prenatal care through all stages of pregnancy. They work closely with OBs, so you have easy access to additional expertise should you or your baby experience complications. Nurse midwives can also provide routine gynecologic care across a woman’s lifetime.

    Find out more: 

  • Family medicine providers diagnose and treat a broad range of conditions in infants, older adults and every age in between. Some also provide obstetrical care, meaning they deliver babies. Family medicine providers allow you to receive prenatal services, treatment for general health concerns and newborn care from the same provider. 

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  • We may refer you to one of these specialists if you or your baby faces a higher risk of complications. These include gestational diabetes, high blood pressure during pregnancy (preeclampsia), preterm labor, and congenital (present at birth) heart conditions.

Schedule an appointment

Find out more about our pregnancy and childbirth services or make an appointment.

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