Frequently asked questions
About Millie
What does Millie do?
Millie is a new kind of maternity clinic that offers more complete, collaborative, and culturally sensitive care from pregnancy through labor & delivery, postpartum, and beyond. For a deeper dive into what makes our care model unique, check out our about page!
We also offer in-person and virtual gynecology care including annual wellness exams, birth control, and more.
Where is Millie located?
Our clinic is located in Berkeley, CA at 2999 Regent St, Suite #524. Stay tuned for announcements about more locations across the Bay Area and other markets.
Is Millie accepting patients?
Yes! You can book appointments at our Berkeley clinic or for our virtual services on our Services page. Sign up for our email list and be the first to know when we add additional services and locations!
What Millie services are available to me if I reside outside California?
Millie's clinic-based services are currently limited to California. Our virtual care providers for preconception counseling and mental health are currently licensed to provide personalized medical advice and write lab / medication prescriptions only for California residents, but they can provide helpful guidance around relevant care options for non-California residents. Our other virtual care services are available nationally.
How can I contact you if I have questions?
Please email us anytime at support@millieclinic.com and we’ll get back to you ASAP.
For a deeper dive into what makes our care model unique, check out our about page!
I really need Millie’s services but need flexibility on payment terms. Is that possible?
We are committed to making better care accessible for all. Please write to us at support@millieclinic.com.
Maternity Care
What is a midwife vs. an OB, and why do both matter?
Certified Nurse Midwife
There are many types of midwives, but at Millie, we only have Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs). CNMs are medical experts who are trained and licensed as both Registered Nurses and Midwives. They are known for their intimate knowledge of pregnancy and the labor process, and their minimal-intervention approach that promotes physiological birth.
Extensive clinical research shows that CNMs are the ideal care provider for low-to-moderate risk pregnancies in terms of positive birth outcomes. They are trained to meet 80% of the clinical needs that come up during pregnancy and childbirth. In fact, they are the primary frontline care providers for maternity care in countries like the UK, Canada, Germany, and Israel. In the United States, CNMs are often seen working alongside OB GYN care for low-to-moderate risk pregnancies in progressive hospitals around the country.
OBGYN
OB GYNs are medical doctors and surgeons who are extensively trained to perform medical interventions like cesarean sections, inductions, VBACs, and other scenarios. They are the ideal clinician when the pregnancy requires more care. Some OBGYNs go on to further specialize in the treatment of medical complications associated with high risk pregnancies, and are called Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) specialists.
Why both matter
OBGYNs and midwives bring different skills and perspectives to the table, but they have the same overarching goal: healthy pregnancies, safe births, and healthy babies. How much of which type of care provider you need really depends on what your pregnancy needs.
What does collaborative OB/Midwifery care look like at Millie?
The vast majority of pregnancies (an estimated 80-85%) are considered “low risk”, with Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) as the ideal care provider for the best outcomes. CNMs specialize in holistic pregnancy care and physiologic birth.
At Millie, we therefore believe that: 1) everyone needs a midwife, 2) some people need an OBGYN too, and 3) everyone should have access to both.
What does this look like in practice? When you establish care at Millie, you will meet with one of our CNMs. You can choose who to work with, and they will be your primary clinician over the course of your pregnancy care.
If your pregnancy is considered higher risk, your Millie midwife will co-manage your care with our OBGYN via consultations and work alongside the hospitalist OBGYNs at Alta Bates to deliver your baby. The Alta Bates Campus Birth Center located across the street from the Millie clinic is our labor & delivery facility, and we share patient records and clinical protocols for a seamless experience.
At Millie, you can rest assured that you will receive complete, continuous, and compassionate care with all the benefits of both OBGYN and Midwifery approaches.
Who will I see during my prenatal visits?
You will start your Millie journey with one of our Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM) for your visits.
Where will I deliver?
All births for Millie patients will take place at Alta Bates Campus Birth Center, located at 2450 Ashby Avenue in Berkeley.
Who will be at my birth and deliver my baby?
All Millie births take place at Alta Bates Campus Birth Center in Berkeley with one of our Millie midwives. If your delivery needs a c-section, VBAC or another type of intervention, the hospitalist OB GYNs at Alta Bates will perform the procedure in collaboration with the Millie midwives.
The Millie midwives and OB GYNs at Alta Bates work together to ensure that you and your baby are surrounded by a team of experts who are ready to meet your care needs in every scenario. We share clinical protocols and a common patient record, facilitating a seamless transition from pregnancy to delivery and postpartum care.
Is my pregnancy a good risk fit for Millie?
The vast majority of pregnancies are considered “low risk” (an estimated 80-85%) and an additional 10% are considered “moderate-risk.” Millie care is designed for this population and is therefore a good fit for most pregnancies.
We are not currently accepting “high risk” pregnancies, but we would be happy to make a referral.
We define “high risk” pregnancies as:
- preexisting health conditions (for example, high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease, autoimmune disorders like lupus or multiple sclerosis), or
- pregnancy-related health conditions (for example, fetal birth defects or fetal genetic conditions, severe preeclampsia, twins or triplets, or gestational diabetes managed with insulin).
Please note that being over 35 years of age does not constitute a “high risk” pregnancy by itself unless there are other conditions at play.
Do you take insurance? Which plans?
We are currently accepting PPO and HMO plans from the following insurance companies: Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, HealthNet, as well as some local networks. We also accept plans offered by Medi-Cal via Alameda Alliance for Health (AAH).
We know insurance can be confusing and would be happy to look up your plan to confirm coverage or point you to in-network options if you are considering switching plans. Write to us at support@millieclinic.com.
What will I pay for my care?
All your clinical appointments at Millie, lab tests, ultrasounds, and labor & delivery experience at Alta Bates are covered by insurance. We also offer in-network lactation services. We accept most major insurance plans, including Medicaid.
We do not charge anything extra for the Millie app, remote monitoring devices (e.g. BP cuff), or 1:1 sessions and messaging with your Millie Guide – a practice-embedded doula who supports Millie patients with birth & postpartum planning, helpful local resources (e.g. birth doulas, acupuncture, pelvic floor physical therapy), and the many questions that come up as you navigate pregnancy.
Consultations for supportive care like therapy and nutrition are not typically covered by insurance and are paid out of pocket (they’re also HSA/FSA plan eligible).
Do I get a doula?
Every patient is paired with a Millie Guide (who is a practicing doula). They will meet with you each trimester to go over key topics like creating birth preferences, postpartum planning, and more. They are also available to answer questions that come up between visits through the Millie app.
Although all of our Millie Guides are practicing doulas, they will not be present at your birth. Your Millie Guide can help you find a birthing doula for labor and delivery.
We are currently building a practice-affiliated birth doula network to support patients who would like additional care during labor and delivery.
Where do you offer postpartum home visits?
We offer postpartum home visits in the first week after delivery to patients who live in the cities of Berkeley, Oakland, Piedmont, Alameda, Albany, Emeryville, and El Cerrito. To those outside of this radius, a comprehensive virtual visit and/or in-clinic visit is still available in the first week after delivery.
Where will I get my lab tests?
We’ve partnered with LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics for all of your lab needs during pregnancy. Their sites are very conveniently located to our clinic. If you opt for genetic screening, we can order those tests through Natera.
Is the clinic reachable outside office hours?
We always have someone available on our phones, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day for any clinical questions that you have.
If you're trying to book an appointment and have any questions email us at scheduling@millieclinic.com and we’ll do our best to find a time that works.
Gynecology Care
Do I have to be a maternity patient to receive gynecology care?
No you do not! Many patients choose to begin their maternity care at Millie with preconception counseling, annual exam, or birth control services. If you are considering becoming pregnant in the future, this is a great way to get to know us.
Do you take insurance? Which plans?
We are currently accepting PPO and HMO plans from the following insurance companies: Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, HealthNet, as well as some local networks. We also accept plans offered by Medi-Cal via Alameda Alliance for Health (AAH).
We know insurance can be confusing and would be happy to look up your plan to confirm coverage or point you to in-network options if you are considering switching plans. Write to us at support@millieclinic.com.
Wellness Services
Where are Wellness Services available?
Our virtual wellness services are available nationally. You do not need to be a maternity or gynecology patient at Millie to use these services.
Are Wellness Services covered by insurance?
Our virtual wellness services are not covered by insurance at this time, but you can use your HSA/FSA to pay for your visit. We can also provide a superbill that you can submit to your insurance company for out-of-network coverage benefits if available.
Can I use my HSA or FSA for Wellness Services?
Yes! You can use your HSA/FSA card to pay online or submit a superbill for reimbursement.
How can I learn more about what’s included in a particular care session?
We include descriptions of each care session on our services page, but you can always email us at support@millieclinic.com if there’s anything you need to know that we haven’t covered.
What do I need to do before my appointment?
We’ll send you an intake form to fill out online so you and your provider can make the most of your time together. You’ll also have the chance to list out, in advance, what your questions or concerns are so they’re top of mind for your provider.
Can I give Millie Wellness visits as a gift?
Yes! We can create a custom package of one or more wellness consultations for you. We'll send you a link to purchase, then we'll email the recipient a code they can use to schedule at their convenience.
Just email support@millieclinic.com, subject line "Gift Certificate", with the appointment type(s) you'd like to purchase.