What Does Prenatal Care With a Midwife Look Like?
Pregnancy is so much more than a series of appointments, measurements, and lab results. It’s a season of incredible transformation, and I believe the care you receive during this time should reflect that.
At Levana Birth, prenatal care is about so much more than making sure you and your baby are healthy (although, of course, that is incredibly important!). It’s about building a relationship, growing in confidence, understanding your body, and preparing for birth in a way that leaves you feeling informed, supported, and empowered.
I believe that pregnancy is a normal, physiological process, not an illness that needs to be managed. And while there are certainly times when additional monitoring or medical intervention is necessary, my approach begins with trusting the design of the body and supporting the incredible work it’s doing.
Appointments That Feel Like Conversations, Not Checklists
One of the biggest differences families notice about midwifery care is the amount of time we spend together.
Rather than rushing through a quick appointment, our prenatal visits are intentionally slow and personal. We have time to talk about how you’re feeling physically, emotionally, and mentally, and to work through any questions or concerns that come up along the way.
We might talk about your nutrition, sleep, movement, stress, relationships, previous birth experiences, or your hopes and fears surrounding this pregnancy.
And sometimes, we simply sit and talk about life.
Because I believe that knowing you as a whole person is an important part of caring for you well.
What Happens During a Prenatal Appointment?
While every appointment looks a little different depending on your gestation, needs, and preferences, routine prenatal care typically includes:
- Checking your blood pressure and other vital signs
- Monitoring your baby’s heart rate
- Assessing your baby’s growth and position as pregnancy progresses
- Discussing fetal movement and any changes you’ve noticed
- Reviewing nutrition, hydration, sleep, movement, and emotional well-being
- Discussing and performing recommended lab work, ultrasounds, and screenings
- Answering your questions and making decisions together
- Preparing for labor, birth, breastfeeding, and postpartum recovery
As your pregnancy progresses, we’ll spend more time discussing your baby’s position, signs of labor, your birth preferences, and what to expect when the big day arrives.
I also love incorporating hands-on skills, especially abdominal palpation, to learn about your baby’s position and how they’re growing.
There’s something really beautiful about practicing the traditional art of midwifery while also having access to modern screening and medical tools when they’re needed.
A Holistic Approach to Pregnancy
I believe pregnancy is a normal, physiological process that, more often than not, needs support rather than intervention. Our bodies were beautifully designed to grow, nourish, and birth our babies, and I believe there’s so much wisdom in learning to work with the body rather than constantly trying to manage it.
My approach to prenatal care is rooted in traditional midwifery, honoring the natural rhythms of pregnancy, and trusting that sometimes the best thing we can do is simply leave well enough alone. We focus on nourishing the body with real, nutrient-dense foods, supporting mineral stores, getting plenty of sunshine and fresh air, moving intentionally, prioritizing rest, and creating an environment where both mother and baby can thrive.
I’m passionate about looking at the whole person rather than chasing individual symptoms or treating every variation of normal as something that needs to be fixed. I believe in being intentional about what we introduce into pregnancy, whether that’s supplements, testing, medications, or interventions. Just because something can be done doesn’t always mean it needs to be done.
That doesn’t mean ignoring concerns or avoiding necessary medical care. It means approaching pregnancy with patience, discernment, and a deep respect for physiology, while using modern medicine thoughtfully when it truly serves the mother and baby.
Pregnancy isn’t a problem to solve. It’s a process to support and protect.
How Often Will We Meet?
Prenatal visits generally follow this schedule:
Early pregnancy through 28 weeks: Approximately every four weeks
28-36 weeks: Approximately every two weeks
36 weeks until birth: weekly visits
Your individual schedule may vary depending on when you begin care, your pregnancy, and any additional monitoring that may be appropriate.
As we approach your due date, our appointments become increasingly focused on preparing for labor, reviewing your birth plan, discussing what to expect, and making sure everything is in place for a safe and supported birth.
What About Labs, Ultrasounds, and Routine Testing?
Choosing midwifery care doesn’t mean giving up access to important prenatal screening. Throughout pregnancy we will discuss recommended lab work, ultrasounds, and screenings, including what each test looks for, its benefits, limitations, and what the results might mean for your care. All labs are performed in house.
This may include:
- Initial prenatal blood work
- Blood type and antibody screening
- Screening for anemia and nutritional deficiencies when indicated
- Genetic screening options
- Anatomy ultrasound and placental location assessment
- Gestational diabetes screening
- Group B Streptococcus (GBS) screening if desired
- Additional testing or ultrasounds when clinically indicated
Preparing for More Than Just Birth
Prenatal care isn’t only about getting to the end of pregnancy. It’s also about preparing for the experience of birth itself and the transition into postpartum.
As we spend time together, we’ll talk about:
- The physiology of labor and how birth unfolds
- Comfort measures and coping techniques
- Creating a peaceful and supportive birth environment
- Your partner’s role during labor
- When to call your midwife
- What to expect during a home birth
- Newborn care and feeding
- Postpartum healing, rest, and nourishment
- Recognizing when additional medical support may be necessary
My hope is that by the time labor begins, you don’t feel like you’re inviting a stranger into one of the most intimate moments of your life. You know me and I know you. We’ve built a relationship, and we’ve spent months preparing together.
Is Midwifery Prenatal Care Right for You?
Midwifery care may be a beautiful fit if you’re looking for a more personal, relationship-centered approach to pregnancy.
If you want time to ask questions, understand your options, be actively involved in decisions, and prepare for physiological birth with a provider who truly knows you, this model of care may be exactly what you’re looking for. At Levana Birth, I have the privilege of walking alongside families throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. And I don’t take that responsibility lightly. I believe women deserve care that is thoughtful, individualized, and rooted in both trust and clinical skill. Because you deserve more than simply being told that everything looks normal.
You deserve to understand your body, feel confident in your choices, and be genuinely cared for along the way.
Experience Midwifery Care With Levana Birth
If you’re considering home birth or looking for a midwife in Tulsa, Broken Arrow, or the surrounding Oklahoma communities, I’d love to meet you.
Whether this is your first pregnancy or your fifth, you deserve care that honors your unique needs, values, and hopes for birth.