Prenatal Care

What is prenatal care?

Prenatal care is the ongoing support and medical attention you receive throughout your pregnancy. Your appointments give you a chance to check on your health and your baby’s growth, ask questions, and learn about the changes happening in your body. Most families begin prenatal care once they confirm pregnancy and maintain regular visits until birth.

At The Birth Center of New Jersey, prenatal care focuses on healthy, low-risk pregnancies. If your pregnancy develops complications or requires specialized medical attention, The Wellness Collective — a collaboration between The Birth Center and Artemis OB/GYN — ensures you can transfer seamlessly to physician care. 

Your care continues seamlessly with your midwife or Dr. Pemberton’s team in the hospital, maintaining the same compassionate attention.

What does prenatal care include?

The Birth Center of New Jersey combines individual care with group support. This model offers:

Personalized medical attention 

Your midwife monitors your health and your baby’s growth through regular checkups, physical exams, and necessary screenings.

Group prenatal visits 

You connect with other expectant families in sessions that combine health assessments with education and peer support. These gatherings create community while covering important topics about pregnancy, birth, and newborn care.

Shared decision-making 

You participate actively in your care decisions rather than simply following instructions. Your midwife provides education about your options, answers your questions, and helps you make choices that align with your values and preferences.

Evidence-based education 

You gain knowledge about nutrition, exercise, fetal development, labor signs, pain management options, breastfeeding, and postpartum care.

What happens during prenatal visits?

Your prenatal appointments include physical exams like checking your blood pressure, measuring your belly, and listening to your baby’s heartbeat. Your midwife also orders routine lab work and ultrasounds at appropriate points during your pregnancy.

These visits focus on education and conversation. You discuss any concerns, learn what to expect in the coming weeks, and explore your options for labor and birth. The group visit format allows you to hear questions from other families and benefit from shared experiences and support.

To begin prenatal care that honors your voice and puts you at the center of decisions, call The Birth Center of New Jersey or schedule an appointment online.