Pregnancy Care

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Support for Your Pregnancy from Planning to Postpartum

When you choose Sanford Health for your pregnancy care, you’re choosing a team of health care providers ready to support you during every stage of growing your family.

In the early stages, our family planning and fertility medicine experts are here to answer questions and offer services to improve your reproductive health. Throughout your pregnancy, we offer comprehensive services, classes and resources to help you in preparing for the arrival of your baby. Then, when the time comes, your care team provides a personalized birth experience with a range of amenities and support.

After baby arrives, your care team is still there to support you and your little one. Sanford Women’s offers postpartum care as your family transitions to a new normal. We have specialists to guide you through your recovery, including follow-up visits, breastfeeding support, pelvic floor therapy and mental health resources.

Our OB/GYNs, family medicine providers and midwives work together to ensure your needs and preferences are met throughout your journey. If you aren’t sure which type of provider is best for you, we can help. Learn about our provider options.

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Women's Menu

Care During Every Stage

Choosing a Provider

Obstetrician/Gynecologist

Obstetrician-gynecologists, or OB/GYNs, are trained in both obstetrics and gynecology, making them experts in women’s health. Obstetrics includes pregnancy care while gynecology involves care for all women’s health issues. Additionally, OB/GYNs have surgical expertise and can provide cesarean sections.

OB/GYNs at Sanford Health provide:

  • Surgical expertise
  • Pregnancy and childbirth care – before, during and after birth
  • Contraception and family planning choices
  • Annual gynecological exams and routine checkups
  • Holistic and low-intervention birth options
  • Cesarean sections
  • Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC)
  • Epidurals and pain management
  • Access to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and specialists
  • Lactation support – inpatient and referrals
  • Sanford Health Medical Center delivery

Certified Nurse-Midwife

Midwives take a holistic approach to women’s health care. Their philosophy focuses on educating patients and encouraging them to make choices for themselves. Typically, they will see women with low-risk pregnancies. Some people may be surprised to learn that, in addition to pregnancy care, midwives provide a full suite of women’s health services, including gynecologic care, pap tests, family planning and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases.

Certified nurse-midwives at Sanford Health offer:

  • Pregnancy and childbirth care – before, during and after birth
  • Contraception and family planning choices
  • Annual gynecological exams and routine checkups
  • Holistic and low-intervention birth options
  • Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC)
  • Epidurals and pain management
  • Access to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and specialists
  • Lactation support – inpatient and referrals
  • Sanford Health Medical Center delivery

Family Medicine

Family medicine providers care for all family members, from babies to seniors, and can diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions. Over time, they will get to know you well and understand all aspects of your health. For some, this adds an added level of comfort and trust throughout their pregnancy care. Be sure to confirm that your family medicine provider offers prenatal care and will deliver babies.

At Sanford Health, family medicine obstetrics providers offer:

  • Pediatric and family care
  • Pregnancy and childbirth care – before, during and after birth
  • Contraception and family planning choices
  • Annual gynecological exams and routine checkups
  • Holistic and low-intervention birth options
  • Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC)
  • Epidurals and pain management
  • Access to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and specialists
  • Lactation support – inpatient and referrals
  • Sanford Health Medical Center delivery

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Prenatal Care at Sanford Health

As soon as you find out that you are pregnant, Sanford Women's will work with you to establish a prenatal care schedule, providing early prenatal appointment options. We are here to assist you in navigating your pregnancy journey. We have specialized experts available to support you in case your pregnancy is considered high-risk.


Prenatal Appointments

Early prenatal appointments. See our providers at as early as six to eight weeks pregnant to get your pregnancy off to the right start. Review health history, get the first look at baby and receive information and resources for your pregnancy journey.

Prenatal appointments take place following the schedule below. This schedule may vary if your pregnancy is considered high-risk or if your doctor recommends additional appointments. You may need more prenatal care if you have a pre-existing health problem, like diabetes. You may also need more care if problems come up during your pregnancy.

  • Every month through the 28th week
  • Every 2 weeks from the 29th week through the 36th week
  • Weekly from the 37th week until delivery 

Care throughout your pregnancy. Whether you have a concern during the day, after hours or on a weekend, coverage is available around the clock. You will see your provider for periodic checkups and scheduled visits, but if your provider is unavailable, another team member will see you. 

Prenatal ultrasound. During normal and high-risk pregnancies, we take a detailed look at your baby’s developing body to diagnose defects in the limbs and vital organs. We also can test your baby’s well-being with biophysical profile ultrasound, color imaging and Doppler.


Pregnancy Support Team

In addition to your provider (OB/GYN provider, family medicine provider, or certified nurse-midwife), you have options for more support at Sanford Health:

  • Pregnancy Navigator. Visit one-on-one with a pregnancy navigator, also called a pregnancy consultant or pregnancy support coach. Pregnancy navigators are registered nurses with special training in educating expectant mothers. They can help you design your health plan, answer questions throughout your pregnancy and prepare you for labor and delivery – during video visits or in-person appointments. Learn more about this service on My Sanford Chart. To learn more about pregnancy navigators, contact Sanford Women’s:
  • Doula. Depending on where you live, you have the option to use your own doula to work alongside Sanford doctors, advanced practice providers and nurses.

Pregnancy Support Groups

Many locations offer pregnancy support groups that connect you to other moms-to-be with similar due dates for group prenatal support. Ask your provider or nurse about pregnancy support groups near you.


Pregnancy Classes & Events

Sanford Health pregnancy classes help you prepare for labor, breastfeeding, and caring for a newborn. Learn about:

  • Taking care of yourself during pregnancy
  • Getting ready for labor and delivery
  • Preparing for a new baby to join your family
  • Breastfeeding basics
  • Call-in and walk-in lactation support
  • Newborn care

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Trimester Guidebooks

Download a pregnancy guidebook based on your trimester and use it to learn more about what your OB journey will look like at Sanford Health. Each guidebook includes information on appointment scheduling, details about prenatal care, helpful to-do lists, signs of labor, choosing a provider for your baby and more. Then save these digital booklets to your desktop or phone for easy access.

Download Trimester Guidebooks

Learn More

Get Women’s Care Anywhere

Sanford Women’s video visits are a flexible option that combines video visits with traditional office appointments. Meet with specialists using your computer or mobile device at home, at work or on the go.

Video visit services differ by region. Call your women’s health provider to see what’s available in your area.

Learn About Video Visits

Meeting Your Needs No Matter What

Community Resources:

There are many community resources available to help patients who qualify for financial assistance or Medicaid.

Ask your provider about what is available near you.

OB Financial Support Program:

The Sanford Women's OB Clinic in Sioux Falls provides prenatal, labor and delivery, and six-week postpartum care for women who have limited income, no health insurance and do not qualify for Medicaid.

The clinic takes place at the Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls on Thursday mornings from 7:30 – 10:30 a.m.

For more information about the Sanford OB Clinic, call our nurse coordinator at (605) 333-6618.

For eligibility requirements, call our financial advocate at (701) 234-6066.

Busting Myths About Nurse-Midwives

You might imagine a midwife as someone who only helps in natural pregnancy and childbirth. Sanford's certified nurse-midwives are much more than that. They also can provide family planning, postpartum care, gynecological care and menopause care. Get to know what certified nurse-midwives can do for you.

Read About Midwife Myths

Do’s and Don’ts in the First Trimester

Your work as a new parent starts now. While you can’t protect against every complication, you can follow these helpful tips to have a healthy, happy first trimester.

Read About First Trimester Do’s and Don’ts

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Pregnancy

Pregnancy can bring about various changes in a woman's body and affects women in different ways.

Read 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Pregnancy

Managing the Emotional Challenges of Pregnancy

It’s normal for expectant mothers to experience emotional ups and downs during pregnancy. Learn how to manage these emotional challenges.

Read Managing the Emotional Challenges of Pregnancy

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