Get personalized pregnancy care in Tennessee

OB-GYNs at Ascension Saint Thomas are here for you. From family planning and pregnancy, to birthing and postpartum care.

Get personalized pregnancy care in Tennessee

OB-GYNs at Ascension Saint Thomas are here for you. From family planning and pregnancy, to birthing and postpartum care.

FIND AN OB-GYN

What sets us apart

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to having a baby. And no one knows your body better than you do. Your preferences are important. That’s why the conversation between you and your OB-GYN matters. Your care team at Ascension Saint Thomas in Middle Tennessee, starts by listening to you. As you share your questions, concerns and expectations, we listen to understand you. We take this partnership seriously. And we want you to feel comfortable.

From the very beginning, we talk through the choices that are right for you and your baby. You’ll be supported by a team that will provide the care you need — from childbirth classes to breastfeeding support and more.

Pregnancy and birthing care

One in three babies born in Middle Tennessee are delivered at an Ascension Saint Thomas hospital. That means more families across Middle Tennessee trust Ascension Saint Thomas for maternity care than any other health system in the region.

From the very beginning, we talk through the choices that are right for you and your baby. You’ll be supported by a team that will provide the care you need, from childbirth classes to breastfeeding support and more.

Step 1: Choose the right OB-GYN for you

One of the most important first steps in your pregnancy journey is choosing an OB-GYN you trust. Your OB-GYN will be your partner throughout pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care — helping guide decisions and supporting your goals for birth.Ascension Saint Thomas works with a network of experienced OB-GYNs across Middle Tennessee, including:

Step 2: Choose where you’ll deliver

Ascension Saint Thomas offers trusted maternity care at hospitals across Middle Tennessee. If your baby is born premature or needs extra care, your family is connected to advanced neonatal care.You can choose to deliver at:

Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown, Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford and Ascension Saint Thomas River Park are certified as a National Safe Sleep Hospital by Cribs for Kids®, meaning we follow the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines for safe sleep.

Step 3: Prepare with childbirth education classes

At Ascension Saint Thomas, we’re here to answer your questions and provide support throughout and after your pregnancy. By taking childbirth classes, you can learn more about your birthing options and what to expect.

High-risk pregnancy

Not everyone will need more care during their pregnancy, labor or delivery. But if you do, we are ready to provide you and your baby with extra care. Our maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialists work with your OB-GYN to deliver care for high-risk pregnancies and other health concerns, including high blood pressure, diabetes, heart problems and genetic disorders. Your care team will also work with you to help manage your condition after delivery.

Heart conditions during pregnancy

If you are diagnosed with a heart condition before, during or after pregnancy, heart and MFM specialists deliver the specialized heart care you need. Your MFM specialist and cardiologist work together with you and your OB-GYN to help manage your symptoms, including shortness of breath and irregular heartbeat. We also closely monitor your heart health throughout your pregnancy. Your care team is also here to address any concerns after your delivery. To schedule an appointment, call 615-284-8636. Find out more about the women's heart program.

Frequently asked questions about obstetrics

Choosing an OB-GYN is personal. You want a doctor who is experienced and who you feel comfortable talking with. Our OB-GYNs listen to understand your preferences and are always ready to answer your questions, no matter how big or small. Find an OB-GYN.

When you get ultrasounds and how many you have while pregnant depends on many factors. Your doctor will work with you to determine when you need to come in for ultrasounds. Typically, the first fetal ultrasound (sometimes called a sonogram, or the image made by the ultrasound) is done in the first trimester to confirm the pregnancy and estimate how long you have been pregnant. During most pregnancies, the second ultrasound is typically done in the second trimester (around 18 to 20 weeks). During this ultrasound, your doctor looks for any concerns and may be able to confirm your baby’s sex. In some situations, such as during high-risk pregnancy, your doctor may recommend ultrasounds during the third trimester to monitor your baby's health. These ultrasounds may be every other week, weekly or more often.

Light bleeding or spotting are common during early pregnancy and don’t always mean there is a problem. But you should contact your doctor as soon as you notice spotting, bleeding or other symptoms to determine if you should be concerned or if your doctor needs to see you.

About 30 minutes a day of light to moderate exercise is recommended for most women during pregnancy. These include exercises such as walking, swimming, yoga and strength training. But it is important to talk with your doctor about what activities are right for you during your pregnancy.

During pregnancy, changes in hormones can increase your risk of having a urinary tract infection (UTI). If you have symptoms of a UTI while pregnant, get care right away to avoid serious health concerns, such as kidney infection. Contact your doctor if you experience symptoms such as:

Pain or a burning feeling while urinating
Urinating more often
Feeling the urgent need to urinate
Blood in your urine
Pressure or cramping in lower back or abdomen

Sometimes, high blood pressure develops during pregnancy. Having high blood pressure during pregnancy is a serious condition that can put you and your baby at risk. Untreated high blood pressure can lead to less blood flow to the placenta, injury to other organs, and premature delivery. If you have high blood pressure while pregnant, we will create a care plan that helps control your blood pressure. And we continue to closely monitor your health and your baby’s health throughout your pregnancy.

Each woman and pregnancy is different. How much weight you gain during pregnancy depends on many factors, including how much you weighed before becoming pregnant and if you are having one or multiple babies. Typical weight gain for a woman of healthy weight, having one baby, is 25-35 pounds. If you have questions or concerns about weight gain during your pregnancy, talk with your doctor.

Yes, we offer in-person tours and virtual tours that you can watch online for most of our birthing centers. You can schedule an in-person tour or click on the link below to take a virtual tour.

You can also schedule an appointment with a birth designer. Your birth designer at Ascension Saint Thomas helps you understand your choices and decide on your preferences to personalize your birth experience. Request an appointment with a birth designer.

Having a baby is an exciting time, but there is also a lot to learn. And the more you know, the better prepared you will be for these new experiences. At Ascension Saint Thomas, we offer many classes for expecting moms and parents – from birthing to breastfeeding classes. You can view available classes and sign up online.

If you are feeling sick while pregnant, call your OB-GYN or certified nurse-midwife. Your provider will work with you to create a care plan that’s right for you and your baby. If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go directly to the ER or dial 911.

Talk with your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medications at any time during your pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Typically, there are over-the-counter medication options you can take for allergies, constipation, and colds.

Many women experience the “baby blues” after having a baby. Baby blues can begin a few days after birth. But some moms experience a more severe form of depression called postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that occurs after having a baby. Feelings of postpartum depression are more intense and last longer than those of “baby blues.” Symptoms include:

Crying more than usual
Feelings of anger
Withdrawing from loved ones
Feeling distant from your baby
Worrying or feeling overly anxious
Thoughts about hurting yourself or your baby
Doubting your ability to care for your baby

If you are feeling depressed after having a baby, talk to your doctor. You are not alone. Many new moms experience postpartum depression. When you feel depressed for more than a few days, start by talking with your doctor. There are many things we can do to help you – from relaxation techniques and support groups to therapy and medication.

If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, get help right away. Call 911 so that you and your baby can get help as soon as possible.

Preventing bacterial infection after the delivery of your baby is important for your overall health. Postpartum infections are not common, but can occur in your perineum, uterus, and/or urinary tract. A few tips to help prevent infection after delivery include:

Wash your hands frequently
Don’t use a vaginal douche
Keep incision sites clean
Use sanitary pads instead of tampons during the first six weeks
Don’t have intercourse until you’ve been cleared by your doctor
Stay well hydrated
Urinate frequently

Symptoms of an infection include: pain that gets worse over time, fever, chills, weakness, headache, foul-smelling discharge, as well as swelling, redness and/or discharge around the incision site (for C-section deliveries).

If you are having symptoms of an infection, call your doctor right away. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest ER. It’s important to get treatment as soon as possible.

There are many benefits to being active after pregnancy. Physical activity can help relieve stress, boost energy levels, promote weight loss and reduce symptoms of postpartum depression. The amount and type of activity you can do depends on the type of delivery you had and your health. Typically, light activity is OK to start a few days after delivery. This includes walking and some gentle pelvic floor exercises. Talk with your doctor about what activities are safe for you after delivery before you start exercising.

And remember to listen to your body. Your body is healing and adjusting to a new lifestyle with a baby. So, if you’re feeling tired or you are in pain, you may need to let your body rest.

Some activities to avoid in the first few weeks after delivery include swimming, running, heavy lifting and high-intensity workouts. Talk to your doctor at your six-week post-delivery checkup or before about doing any of these or other more intense activities.