birth center Archives – Welia Health

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Your feeding journey: What you need to know about the challenges of lactation

The time after the birth of your new baby can be a whirlwind. Along with the miracle of a new member of your family, there are countless adjustments to be made. Many new moms expect lactation to be easy and natural—but it’s not always easy, and that’s okay.

“I think it’s important to acknowledge that breastfeeding can be challenging,” says Jamie Hendrix, certified lactation consultant at the Welia Health Birth Center. “Your baby is brand new, and you’re learning something brand new. And we have people available to help, because to have that support and guidance through it is really important.”

You’re not alone as you take the first steps in your baby’s new life. Hear from our lactation consultants about the most common challenges new moms face, best practices for how to deal with them, and how Welia Health can help.

Meet our certified lactation consultants

Several obstetrics (OB) nurses at the Welia Health Birth Center are trained as certified lactation consultants. In addition to their nursing qualifications, they have undergone serious training and testing in order to provide the best quality of care to new mothers and their babies. Lactation consultants go through more than 40 hours of classroom work, in addition to studying and prep, and finally qualify through a practical test on handling a variety of breastfeeding situations.

At the Birth Center, we provide round-the-clock lactation support. Our certified lactation consultants work rotating shifts, including overnights and weekends, to help ensure that someone is always on hand to help. And we continue to build our resources. Two additional clinic nurses recently completed the certification, and even nurses who don’t serve as lactation specialists receive training and education on providing breastfeeding support.

In the OB department, our lactation consultants provide support in the first 48 hours after birth, while mom and baby are getting used to breastfeeding for the first time. At the clinic, they meet with new parents at scheduled lactation appointments in the months and years following. Together, we help new parents handle the challenges that can come with breastfeeding, from pumping, latch issues, bottle feeding, the transition back to work, and more.

Your lactation appointment: What to expect

When you come to the Birth Center for a lactation appointment, you and your baby will meet directly with a certified lactation consultant. First, the nurse will sit down with you and talk about your experience with labor and delivery, including medications, induced birth, timeline, and complications.

The nurse will also discuss details about the growing newborn, including how old the baby is, how feeding has been going at home, and any issues that have come up. “At this point, Mom is going to be the one who knows the baby best,” nurse Jamie says. “Mom knows the baby’s routine.” The nurse will also speak to the parent about their comfort level and any anxiety or stress breastfeeding may be causing. This background information helps the nurse build a full picture of what support you and your baby may need.

From here, the nurse will usually watch a feeding session. They can work with the mother to pick up on small details that may be causing problems. During this process, nurse consultants aren’t trying to make big changes in the process. Rather, they’re looking for one or two tips that can make things easier for parents. “Those little tricks help,” Jamie says. “Moms try to be Wonder Woman and do it all—it’s okay to have a little support.”

Finally, the nurses weigh the babies at every visit. With bottle feeding, it’s straightforward to keep track of what nutrition babies are getting—but breastfeeding is harder to track. Weighing the babies helps clinic staff and new parents keep track of how they’re doing. This isn’t just useful medical important—it’s also important to “celebrate all those victories, so that parents can see just how great they really are doing,” Jamie says.

These lactation appointments are a process of working together. Our staff helps new parents with advice that they can take home and then works to schedule additional appointments to handle any new issues that come up.

Baby steps to breastfeeding

Every feeding journey is different. But many new parents struggle with a few common issues—and with support, all of these issues can be overcome.

Getting the proper latch. The biggest challenge that the certified lactation consultants see is issues with the baby’s latch onto the nipple. Latch problems can cause nipple pain, cracked or sore nipples, tender breasts, and more. In lactation appointments, the nurse will help moms find out what might be causing an issue with the latch.

One trick that Jamie often shares with her parents: line the baby up with their nose to the nipple. That way, when the baby begins to nurse, the nipple will be pushed to the roof of the mouth instead of rubbing on the rough tongue. This is the most common advice Jamie gives in her day-to-day work—and that small change can make a huge difference.

Positioning. Lactation consultants will work with the nursing parent to help them find a position that’s comfortable. Especially in situations like a recent C-section, it may be difficult to nurse in a traditional position. The consultant can help them try out other options—such as the football hold or side-lying position—that may work better.

New mom learning proper hold for breastfeeding her baby

Perceived hunger. Many parents worry about milk supply and whether or not their child is getting enough to eat. In the early days after birth, moms are mostly producing “colostrum,” a thicker substance that’s produced in lighter quantities than transitional and mature milk. This helps the baby get more nutrition out of less milk—but can cause worries for new parents.

Weighing the baby at every appointment can help reassure parents that the baby is growing as they should. And if there are issues with supply, the OB department can help parents create a plan to move forward.

Back to work and beyond. The Birth Center also helps parents with the many transitions that occur as their baby gets older. Pumping is a common topic of lactation consultations—nurses can walk parents through how to use the equipment, learn the ins and outs of proper milk storage, and ease common fears. Some babies may also be reluctant to switch to bottles when they’re used to breastfeeding (in these situations, it can be helpful for someone other than the breastfeeding parents to give them the bottle). Teething and going back to work are other frequent topics of discussion—and in these areas and beyond, our nurses are trained to help you handle every twist and turn of your baby’s growth.

A fed baby is a happy baby

At Welia Health, we believe that a fed baby is a happy baby—and we’re here to help on every feeding journey. Our Birth Center staff provide extensive education on bottle feeding as well as lactation. Whether you plan to bottle feed from the beginning, switch to bottle feeding after returning to work, or exclusively breastfeed, we’re here to support you.

“We don’t want people to ever feel bad about it. Everybody’s feeding journey is different, and we want to support everyone through it. Whatever the mom’s desired birth and lactation is, we want to help them,” says Jamie. The Birth Center staff is trained to give the support bottle feeding moms need and answer questions that come up, from getting the proper mix of nutrition and preparing formula to making sure that the temperature is safe for your baby.

A reliable resource, close to home

“No journey looks the same,” Jamie says. “Everyone’s feeding journey with their baby is different, and you’re going to have to pick what works best for you.” At Welia Health, we believe that new parents know their baby best, and we’re here to provide the information and support you need—in your community.

Welia Health is proud to serve Pine County, Kanabec County, and beyond. Part of our mission is making sure patients receive quality healthcare close to home. “You’re living in the country for a reason,” Jamie says. “We want to provide these services closer to home, in an environment that’s cohesive with your lifestyle.”

Questions about breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or taking care of a new baby? Talk to a certified lactation consultant at the Welia Health Birth Center at 320.225.3525 or schedule an appointment at weliahealth.org/services/birth-center.

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Welcome, baby! Making sure your home is safe for a newborn

One of the jobs of a parent is helping their kids learn from their mistakes—safely. As infants go from rolling over to crawling, walking, and beyond, they’re all but guaranteed to get into trouble. And that’s where babyproofing comes in: making sure that your little one is insulated from the biggest potential risks around the house.

The key to infant and child safety is supervision, but it’s not realistic to keep an eye on your child every minute of the day. Instead, there are a few simple steps you can take to protect your baby against the main household dangers.

Knowing where to start

Babyproofing can feel like an overwhelming endeavor, especially as a new parent. But it’s important to take this process one step at a time and build as you go.

According to the CD C, there are four main sources of child injuries: water, heat and flame, toxic substances, and injuries from falling. This is the best place to start—identify the biggest sources of risk around your home and do what you can to address them. Do you have a cover or a fence protecting your pool? Are all cleaning supplies locked in a high cabinet? Are your windows safely closed or equipped with guards?

And remember—you have time. When you first bring your baby home from the hospital, start with the basics. Then, as your child grows and starts to explore, you can add the protections you need to keep them safe.

A new perspective

Most kids begin to crawl between six and nine months old, so while even young babies can get up to plenty of mischief, it’s best to work on babyproofing your house in earnest at around three months.

It may sound silly, but one of the ways to see what may pose a risk to your child is getting on their level—literally. Going around the house on your hands and knees and seeing what your baby may get into can be a crucial way to see hazards you might not otherwise notice.

Are there interesting wires, ledges, or objects to pull on? What places might your baby try to get into? What objects could go in their mouth? This tactic can help you lay a ground plan for spotting genuine dangers—and help put your mind at ease that you’ve taken care of obvious risks.

Babyproofing 101

There is no way to make your home 100% hazard-free—but there are a few things to keep in mind as you get ready for your baby.

Heavy furniture: Keep an eye on furniture that might tip if a toddler pulls on it. Televisions, dressers, and more can all overbalance if pulled on the wrong way. Furniture anchors can help keep everything stable.
Windows: Screens are meant to keep bugs out—not keep children in. Make sure your windows are locked or install child guards to keep your kids from falling out.
Dangerous substances: Keep anything potentially toxic—smoke, chemicals, medications, cleaning supplies, and so on—out of sight and out of reach. You can use door knob covers and door locks to keep kids from getting into dangerous spaces. Second-hand and third-hand exposure to smoke or vape can be harmful to babies and children, and nicotine can be passed through the bloodstream of a pregnant person or through breast milk.
Water: Even a few inches of water can be deadly to a young child. Avoid leaving water around the house in buckets or basins, make sure any pools are fenced in or covered, and never leave a child unattended in the bath.
Cabinets and drawers: It probably isn’t necessary to add baby locks to every door in your house—but that depends on what you keep inside. If any cabinets, cupboards, or drawers are accessible at kid-height, think about whether it’s okay for them to play with their contents. Every parent’s comfort level is different, but it can be helpful to reserve the safety latches for places a baby really shouldn’t access, whether that’s a medicine cabinet, a cleaning closet, or an external door. And as your child becomes more mobile, don’t forget to consider adding wall anchors for larger dressers or bookshelves that seem unsteady or perceptive to crawling up.
Firearms: If you own a firearm, make sure you remove the ammunition, store it separately, and keep all components safely locked.
Battery-powered toys: Many toys with built-in lights or music come with button batteries that are easy for children to swallow. It’s a good idea to double-check these toys to ensure that the battery compartment has a safety seal and keep an extra eye on your baby when they’re using these types of toys. If you think your child ingested a battery, call 911.
Sharp edges: Doors, table corners, and other sharp edges can cause injuries when a kid is ready to explore. Installing corner and edge bumpers on surfaces that are at baby-height can help minimize the damage.

It may feel impossible to apply these safety tips to your entire home—but you don’t necessarily have to. Many parents find it helpful to create a fully baby-safe area for their child to play. While supervision is still crucial, you can keep an eye on your baby with the knowledge that they can safely touch everything they find.

To build a safe area, designate a room or create an enclosed space with baby gates or a playpen. Make sure you remove anything that could be dangerous, from batteries and breakables to choking hazards, power cords, and chemicals. Even while you keep an eye out, having a safe area for your baby to play can give you a moment to breathe.

And remember, you don’t need to tackle everything at once. Focus on small steps and take it one phase at a time. Ask yourself where your child is likely to explore at their current developmental stage and start there.

A guide to safe sleeping

Babies spend a lot of their time sleeping, with newborns spending up to 18 hours a day asleep. It’s crucial to make sure their sleeping space is safe and free of hazards so that they can rest up for the adventures ahead.

When setting up your baby’s crib:

Make sure you have a firm, flat sleeping service.
Set up bare, tight-fitting bedding that won’t impose on the sleeping area.
Remove any additional items—pillows, blankets, bumpers, toys, and other objects can increase the risk of suffocation.
Make sure the crib slats are no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart (about the width of a soda can). You can learn more about cribs here.
Check the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s resources on safe sleep and verify that any products you’re buying have been approved.

Always put your baby on their back in an uncluttered crib. While the American Academy of Pediatrics doesn’t recommend sharing a bed with your baby as it can increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), sharing a room can be a way to stay close.

Baby lying safely in a crib

Safe and sound

Scuffs and scrapes are a normal part of growing up and help kids learn about the world around them. As a parent, you want to help them learn safely.

You know your house and your baby best. Some people think of childproofing as giving themselves a little help in advance—knowing that there are a few things they don’t need to worry about while their child plays. When it comes to making your home safe for your baby, take it one step at a time, prioritize your common sense, and give yourself an extra leg up for the next surprise.

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The basics of postpartum depression

A lot of things change after giving birth. As a new parent, you’re dealing with hormone surges and differences in your body, not to mention balancing your old responsibilities with a new little person in your life.

In this time of transition, many new parents deal with depression, although they may struggle to identify it or seek help. Some people feel a sense of shame over not fitting the “perfect” image of parenthood. But acknowledging postpartum depression is not shameful—in fact, reaching out and seeking help is one of the bravest things you can do.

The bottom line is that depression is a disease that impacts the functioning of your body and brain. Just like with a broken bone, waiting for it to improve on its own is often not enough. You deserve support from your doctors and your community, and Welia Health is here to help.

New mom taking a moment to herself

You’re not alone

Postpartum depression—sometimes also called Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder (PMAD)—is much more common than you might think, affecting one out of five mothers.

While there are some factors that may increase its likelihood—including past depression, lack of social support, family history, difficulty getting pregnant, and pregnancy complications—it can happen to anyone. People with more significant societal stressors, such as being under age 20, low-income, or non-white, are also at higher risk.

Many people think about postpartum depression as something that impacts new mothers shortly after birth. While that is a common situation, it doesn’t represent the whole picture. Depression can develop at any point in the baby’s first year, or even in the months before the baby is born. And postpartum depression doesn’t only impact the birthing parent. Studies have shown that fathers and non-birthing partners can suffer the same condition with many of the same effects.

Dealing with depression is not a character flaw and it doesn’t mean you’re not a good or resilient parent. It’s just another possible complication of having a baby, and prompt and effective treatment can help you and your baby thrive.

Is it “baby blues”?

Most new mothers deal with the so-called “baby blues”—a sense of being overwhelmed reflected in trouble sleeping, anxiety, crying, and mood swings in the first few weeks after birth. While the baby blues are distressing, they typically resolve on their own within two weeks.

Unlike baby blues, postpartum depression doesn’t go away on its own and can prevent new parents from building a normal routine. It can also impact a parent’s relationship with the baby, making it difficult to connect and care for the infant.

Symptoms to watch for that may indicate postpartum depression include:

Feeling sad, anxious, or empty most of the time
Severe mood swings
Exhaustion and lack of energy
Changes in eating patterns
Changes in sleeping patterns
Feeling guilty, hopeless, or worthless
Feeling moody or irritable
Struggling to concentrate or make decisions
Thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby
Anxiety or panic attacks
Withdrawing from family and friends
Thoughts of death or suicide

If you are experiencing these symptoms, it can feel like there’s no way out. But you are not alone in your experience. There are proven, effective treatments for postpartum depression, and together, we can work to help you recover.

Your community is here for you

It is never wrong, embarrassing, or unnecessary to seek help. If you have any concerns about your mental health after pregnancy, we’re here to listen. You can reach Welia Health at 320.225.3625 to schedule an appointment with your provider. Other local resources can be found here: Postpartum Recovery

If it’s an emergency, don’t hesitate to call an emergency support line like the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1.833.TLC.MAMA (1.833.852.6262), the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or 911. Non-emergency helplines are also available, including the Mother-Baby HopeLine at 612.873.HOPE (612.873.4673) and the Pregnancy & Postpartum Support Minnesota line at 1.800.944.4773.

Your doctor will work with you to figure out a way forward—and you have plenty of options. You may choose to meet with a therapist, either alone or with a support group. Many medications have been proven to work safely and effectively for new and breastfeeding mothers. Your provider can connect you with further resources on postpartum depression.

Help is also available elsewhere in your life. If you’re religious or spiritual, it may be helpful to connect with a faith leader. Many of us struggle to ask for help, but being a good parent means asking for the support you need from your community. Reach out to family and friends and share with them what you’re going through, or delegate daily tasks to relieve some of the pressure. As always, try to focus on the basics: get enough rest, drink enough water, eat a balanced diet, and move your body.

There are plenty of reasons why new parents may struggle to reach out. Some people fear stigma, abandonment, or lack of support—or they simply want to keep their private life private. But postpartum depression often won’t go away without help.

At Welia Health, we’re committed to bringing our skill and experience to meet you where you are. Working together with you, we will come up with a plan of care that’s tailored to your circumstances. Call our office at 320.225.3625 to speak to our team about postpartum depression—and remember, you aren’t in this alone.

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What is self-care, anyway?

At its most basic, self-care is anything we do to take care of ourselves. If this sounds like a broad category, it is—it can include everything from managing symptoms of a health condition, to checking in with your body, to setting up effective habits.

Especially in times of stress, thinking about self-care can feel impossible or burdensome. Life is already hectic enough—now you have to add something else? But, ironically, it’s in these stressful times that self-care can be especially helpful. Research has shown that taking proactive, straightforward steps in managing your lifestyle can reap dividends in terms of function, stability, and happiness down the road.

A few simple guidelines can help make self-care less intimidating. First, your goals should be realistic. From what many of us see online, we may be envisioning an ab- busting workout regimen, a 12-step beauty routine, or a week-long yoga retreat. But while that may sound nice, it’s more likely to set an impossible standard that will leave you discouraged after a few weeks.

There are plenty of barriers to self-care. One of the biggest is time—we’re busy people, and becoming parents only makes us busier. Limited resources can play a role, too. If your family lives far away or you’re working with a small budget, it’s much more difficult to find someone to watch your child so you can get a moment away.

Finally, many people—especially women—find it difficult to set boundaries and accept help. Gender roles play a big part in this: even in 2024, mothers are most often the primary caregiver, and that comes with built-in expectations. It can be hard to voice your need for time to take care of yourself, or accept help when it’s offered. Some people feel the need to self-sacrifice in order to be the best parent they can be. But taking care of yourself is not a luxury—as the saying goes, if you don’t schedule time off, your body will schedule it for you.

Self-care is really about the basics: sleep, mood, nutrition, and daily needs. To realistically take care of these building blocks, it’s best not to try to change a million things at once. Instead, focus on one thing at a time and set a goal that feels achievable—going for a walk around the block once a day, for example, or going to sleep twenty minutes earlier. Ideally, these goals and behaviors should be enjoyable or relaxing. Remember, you’re taking care of yourself, not punishing yourself. So trust your body—and celebrate your victories!

Life—and motherhood—never stops. Self-care can feel like a low priority. But taking care of your physical and mental health sets up a strong foundation for everything else going on in your life.

Baby steps to living life well

The time before becoming pregnant—whether you’re actively trying to conceive or beginning to plan for it—provides the opportunity to set up healthy habits and kick your pregnancy off on a high note. Setting up these habits early-on can help you stick with them in the long term, especially when you’re going through more significant changes with your life and body.

What you put in your body before and during pregnancy has a long-term impact on the health of your baby. Work on eating a balanced diet by getting the nutrients you need and drinking lots of water. Your doctor may also advise you to start taking a folic acid supplement and prenatal vitamins to help your baby grow healthy. Substances including alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs can cause serious health conditions for your baby, so work on quitting before you become pregnant. (Concerns about quitting? Reach out to your doctor at 320.225.3525 for resources and assistance.)

Try to start a habit of moderate exercise, focusing on what’s realistic and feels good for you. And try to get the sleep you need. For many of us, sleeping enough is one of the first things to fall by the wayside when life gets busy. But sleep has far-reaching effects on mood, resilience, and physical health.

Woman practicing self-care by stretching in her living room.

Before pregnancy is also a great time to think about how you manage stress. Managing stress looks different for everyone – this can include stretching, meditating, journaling, conducting a spiritual practice, reading, talking to friends, or something else. This is also a great time to talk to your partner, if you have one, about both of your roles as parents, as well as your mental and physical health and how it will be managed.

From the beginning, you’re not on your journey of becoming a parent alone. While regular check-ups with your doctor will be an important part of pregnancy, checking in with your doctor beforehand can be equally crucial. To take the best possible care of yourself and your baby, talk to your provider about:

Any medications you’re taking
Your existing health conditions
Your mental health
Any family history of mental or physical health conditions
Your lifestyle
Whether you live or work around any harmful chemicals or toxic substances
Getting up to date on your vaccines

Setting up for success during pregnancy

During pregnancy, it’s important to set up healthy, realistic habits that you want to continue after your child is born. Continue to meet regularly with your doctor and follow their instructions, including taking any vitamins and making sure your vaccines are up-to-date.

It’s important to listen to your body and get the rest and nutrition you need. For many pregnant people, eating can be difficult due to nausea and food sensitivities. Sometimes adjusting the size and frequency of meals can help, and your doctor can provide helpful advice as to how to keep eating balanced meals. Some foods, including soft cheeses and raw seafood, should also be avoided during pregnancy.

Postpartum depression is a relatively well-known condition, but what many people might not know is that pregnancy-related mental health issues often begin before the baby is born. Take care of yourself by doing things you enjoy, whether that’s seeing your friends, taking long baths, watching TV, or taking walks. Notice what boosts your mood and helps you feel better and lean on these habits when you need them.

And don’t be afraid to activate your support system, both now and in anticipation of becoming a parent. Talk to your partner, family, and friends about what you think you might need after the baby comes. This can mean everything from someone to chat with you on the phone while you walk the dog, to helping you pick up baby clothes from the store, to dropping off pre-made meals. And don’t worry too much about figuring out every little thing—set up the essentials first, and the rest will come.

Self-care for new parents

After three trimesters, your child has joined you in the world. This can be a wonderful, exciting time—and it’s also often a difficult one. Parents are learning to balance their old lives with their new role of caring for their child, and even for the best-prepared, there’s a steep learning curve.

As always, self-care is all about building from the basics. Eat well and regularly, stay hydrated, get enough sleep, and move your body. This is particularly important as you recover from labor and birth.

You may want to jump back into your regular life right away—but make sure the expectations you’re setting for yourself are realistic. It may feel tempting to plan to go back to work in two weeks, but is that really what you and your body need? Instead, try to take time for yourself, and especially time doing things that are enjoyable for you. This can not only help you relax and recuperate, but also return to your child refreshed and better able to care for their needs.

Some parents struggle with the urge to completely sacrifice themselves to taking care of the baby, neglecting their physical and mental health. It can also be easy to neglect your own self-care by accident. With a baby as the priority, you may not realize that you haven’t eaten lunch or had time to take a shower. But at the end of the day, running yourself down doesn’t help you or your family. Even more so than during your pregnancy, now is the time to ask for help from your partner, your friends, and your family. Set boundaries about the time you need away, and delegate the tasks to others as able.

Finally, don’t put pressure on yourself to be perfect. It would be amazing if we were flawless—but we’re human, and we’re doing our best with what we have.

Every parent is different—and what you need to take care of yourself before, during, and after pregnancy will be too. At the end of the day, self-care is about exactly that: taking care of you. Welia Health is here to make sure you’re not trying to do so alone.

Questions about parenthood? Reach out to the Birth Center team at Welia Health at 320.225.3525, and let’s start the conversation.

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Looking ahead: Your path to parenthood

Congratulations—you’re pregnant! A lot is going to change over the next ten months, but one thing you don’t need to worry about is the schedule of your doctor’s visits.

Here’s our typical timeline of when you’ll be seeing your healthcare provider at Welia Health, and what you can expect at each appointment.

While this is a good guide to our usual process, every parent and every pregnancy is different. Especially if you have a high-risk pregnancy, are getting pregnant later in life, or have other potential complications, this schedule will reflect some changes. Your provider will be able to give you specific recommendations and referrals at every stage to make sure you’re getting the care you need for your specific health needs.

Starting out: Your first trimester

At most of your appointments, your doctor will provide you with prenatal education tailored to the stage of your pregnancy. They’ll conduct a series of tests, including measuring your abdomen to check the baby’s growth and listening to the baby’s heart rate. As you get closer to your due date, they will also check your abdomen to determine the baby’s position.

Most people will have two visits to their obstetrician during the first trimester. At the first visit, which takes place between weeks four and nine, your provider will confirm the positive home pregnancy test. They will discuss prenatal vitamins (and give a prescription if needed) as well as lifestyle factors including diet, healthy habits, and self-care.

Your provider will give you more information on Welia Health’s breastfeeding and prenatal classes, as well as useful resources from local public health and WIC. Finally, the doctor will calculate your estimated due date.

At the second visit, which takes place between weeks 10 and 12, you may have the chance to listen to your baby’s heartbeat. At this stage, our team offers the option of genetic testing to screen for the baby’s sex as well as common genetic disorders and chromosomal abnormalities. This is entirely up to you as parents—our job is to offer you the information and options that you need to make the best choice for your family. You will also have the chance to sign up for prenatal classes.

Onward and upward: Your second trimester

Your second trimester will most likely include three more doctor’s visits to make sure everything is moving forward normally, as well as lactation counseling, as desired.

Your third visit, during weeks 15 to 16, will consist of a routine check-up. At the fourth visit, during weeks 19 to 20, your doctor will order your ultrasound and then visit about the results. This scan will check for physical development, screen for anything unusual, and confirm the official due date given to you at your first appointment. You’ll also have the option to receive your flu vaccination to protect your health and the health of the baby.

The fifth visit takes place around week 24, or about six months into pregnancy. This is another routine check-up, and may also include a test for gestational diabetes. This condition is relatively uncommon, affecting 6% to 7% of pregnancies, but can cause health problems for your newborn if it’s not addressed.

During weeks 20 to 30, you may also choose to visit Welia Health’s Lactation Counselor. Our dedicated team provides breastfeeding education and helps you plan for after the baby is born.

The final stretch: Your third trimester

The third trimester is when things really get busy. Our usual schedule includes a hefty seven visits, with a check-up every week.

At your sixth visit, which takes place during week 28, you’ll go through a regular check-up and receive your Tdap immunization. The Tdap vaccine protects your baby against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (or whooping cough). The doctor will also discuss your birth plan with you. This document outlines what’s important to you in your delivery and gives your team the information they need to take care of you during birth, this can include parameters around pain medication, to important information about your pregnancy, to whether someone special should cut the umbilical cord.

You will meet with your obstetrics team once a week for a regular check-up for the next six weeks. These routine meetings will help your doctor continue to check that everything is going according to plan and give you the opportunity to address your questions as they arise. On or around your thirteenth visit, which takes place during the fortieth week of your pregnancy, you and your doctor will also prepare for delivery.

A pregnancy plan built for you

We design our care schedule at Welia Health to help you know what to expect out of your pregnancy—and to ensure that our doctors are there with you every step of the way. No two pregnancies are alike, and you and your doctor will work together to build a unique schedule for you, your family, and your baby.

We’re honored to be part of this journey and understand the trust you place in us by coming to Welia Health for your care. If you have questions about your pregnancy journey or want to know more about the services that we offer, explore the Birth Center virtually or simply reach out to our team at 320.225.3525.