What to Expect at Your First Prenatal Visit in Berkeley, CA

Finding out you're pregnant comes with a lot of questions, and one of the first ones is usually: now what? If you're planning your first prenatal visit in Berkeley, here's what actually happens, how to prepare, and what makes the experience different at a midwifery-led clinic like Millie.

When should you book your first visit?

It depends on how far along you are. If you're less than 8 weeks pregnant, Millie offers a virtual pregnancy consult, a lower-commitment first step you can do from home before coming into the Berkeley clinic in person.

If you're further along, you'll typically start with a confirmation of pregnancy visit, done in person at the Berkeley clinic. This is usually the first true prenatal appointment and it covers more ground than a quick confirmation.

What happens at the confirmation of pregnancy visit

This visit is where your care team gets a full picture of your health and your pregnancy so far. You can expect it to include:

• A conversation about your health history, including any past pregnancies, surgeries, medications, and family health history.
• Confirmation of your due date, often with an early ultrasound depending on how far along you are.
• Baseline lab work, including bloodwork to check things like blood type, immunity, and screening for conditions that could affect your pregnancy.
• A physical exam, including blood pressure, weight, and other baseline measurements your midwife will track throughout your pregnancy.
• Time to ask questions, and a lot of it. This isn't a rushed 10-minute appointment. Midwifery-led visits are built to give you room to talk through what's on your mind, whether that's about symptoms, nutrition, work, or just what to expect next.

You'll also be introduced to how care works at Millie going forward, including who you'll be seeing at future visits and how to reach your team between appointments through the Millie app.

Meeting your midwife

At Millie's Berkeley clinic, Certified Nurse Midwives are your primary clinicians throughout pregnancy. At this first visit, you'll start building a relationship with the midwife (or midwives) who'll be following you through your pregnancy, rather than meeting a new provider at every appointment.

If your pregnancy needs more specialized attention at any point, OB-GYNs are built into the model and can co-manage your care. But for most low- to moderate-risk pregnancies, your midwife is the one getting to know you and your pregnancy over time.

Meeting your Millie Guide

Somewhere early in your care, you'll also be paired with a Millie Guide, a practicing doula who meets with you each trimester. Your Guide isn't there to replace your midwife. They're there to help you think through things like your birth preferences and postpartum plan, and they're available through the Millie app between visits when questions come up.

How to prepare for your visit

A few things that can help your first appointment go smoothly:

• Write down your health history in advance, including past pregnancies, surgeries, medications, and any conditions that run in your family.
• Bring a list of questions, even ones that feel small. This visit is built to give you time for them.
• Know your last menstrual period, or your estimated conception date if you know it, since this helps confirm your due date.
• Bring your insurance information so the front desk can verify your coverage before your visit.

What if you're transferring care?

If you're already established with another provider and want to switch, your first visit at Millie can also serve as a transfer of care appointment. Bring any records you have, and your midwife will help you figure out what's already been done and what's next.

Getting started in Berkeley

Millie's Berkeley clinic is located at 2999 Regent Street, Suite 524, and accepts most major insurance plans, including some Medicaid. If you're not sure which visit is right for you, a free 15-minute information call is a good place to start.

Book your first visit in Berkeley or start with a free information call to talk through your options.