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.
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
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:
- Bismarck: (701) 323-5870
- Fargo: (701) 234-8880
- Sioux Falls: (605) 328-7140 or mom2be@sanfordhealth.org
- 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
Find Pregnancy Classes & Events
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.