Pregnancy Care

You build a special bond with your care team during your pregnancy. We support you and the growth of your baby through regular prenatal visits and follow up care. We will answer your questions along the way and help celebrate one of the most moving times of your life.

CHA partners with Bump2Baby360® to offer you all kinds of pregnancy information, educational materials and helpful functions like a kick counter using their app.

Sign Up for Free Pregnancy App Today!

Check out these Resources:

Early Pregnancy Resources:

• Welcome Letter
• CHA Maternity Services
• About the McGovern Maternity Suite at CHA Cambridge Hospital
• OB/GYN Locations
• Family Medicine (Pregnancy Care) Locations
• Prenatal Care at CHA
• CHA OB/GYN Anti-Racism Statement

Third Trimester Resources:

• Congratulations! You’re more than halfway there! (28-Week Letter)
• CHA's Commitment to Respectful Maternity Care
• Third Trimester Prenatal Care at CHA
• Pain Relief with Nitrous Oxide
• Pain Relief During Labor
• Information about epidural anesthesia
• Services for Children
• The Power of Breastfeeding
• Car Seat Buying Guide
• Safe Sleeping for Your Baby
• Induction of Labor Information

For these resources in Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Haitian Creole and Arabic, click here.

If you need specialty care during your pregnancy, you are in good hands. You always have access to our expert CHA obstetrician-gynecologist doctors as well as specialists from our partner hospitals: Tufts Medical Center (TMC) and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC). This ensures you and your baby will always receive the highest quality care. 

OB/GYN and Midwifery prenatal care is provided in Cambridge, Revere or Somerville and you will have your baby at CHA Cambridge Hospital. Family Medicine doctors can also provide prenatal care in Cambridge, Malden and Somerville, and support your delivery at CHA Cambridge Hospital.

Maternal Fetal Medicine: This service is for people with a high-risk pregnancy. It lets us look at the health of the pregnant person and child at the same time to reduce risk factors. You can also access on-site genetic counseling and prenatal testing. Speak with your provider for more information.

Neonatologists: These doctors care for high-risk babies who are born early, have low birth weights, are twins or triplets or have other health problems.

Choose prenatal care at a CHA Obstetrics and Gynecology Center (Cambridge, Revere, Somerville), the Cambridge Birth Center or at several CHA primary care centers.

The intimacy of holding your baby against your body for the first time, looking into their eyes and catching every second of the beginning of their lives... we're here to help give you that precious moment. At CHA, we strive to help you stick to your birth plan as safely as possible to ensure your labor and delivery experience is memorable. 

Pain relief during delivery

There are many ways you can reduce your pain during delivery. The more you know, the more relaxed you will be during labor. Here are some options that are available to you:

• Massage
• Breathing
• Movement – walking, changing positions
• Meditation
• Water therapy – showers and baths
• Hot packs
• Medication and other forms of anesthesia

View the links below in your preferred language for more information on pain during labor:

English      Spanish      Brazilian Portuguese      Haitian Creole      Nepali      Hindi      Arabic      Chinese

Special Training for Emergencies

Most deliveries at CHA are wonderful experiences for new parents and their families. If something changes during or after your delivery, you’ll be with staff who are specially trained to identify any problems and intervene when needed. We take your safety seriously and do drills to prepare for the unexpected.

VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean)

Giving birth vaginally has benefits for you and your baby – less pain, lower risk of infection, and natural immunities for your child. If you had a previous C-section, you may be able to deliver vaginally. Your provider will help you understand all of your options.

A doula is trained to encourage, comfort, and support you and your family during labor and after birth. Doulas offer physical, emotional, social and educational support. They know you, facilitate conversation with medical care givers, and help you have the birth experience you want. While doulas do not provide medical care, they use the latest evidence-based practices and cultural wisdom to work alongside CHA midwives, nurses and doctors as a trusted part of the healthcare team.

People with doulas often have shorter labors and less need for medical interventions. Doula support increases successful breastfeeding and a smoother transition to parenthood. 

CHA Doulas speak multiple languages, including:

• English
• Spanish
• Portuguese
• French
• Japanese
• Amharic
• Bengali
• Hindi

CHA pregnant patients facing health or social challenges may be eligible for free Doula support. Ask your provider to find out if you qualify.

Click the links below for more information on CHAs Doula Program: 

• CHA Doula Program Flyer
• CHA Doula Video (English)
• CHA Doula Video (Português)
• CHA Doula Video (Español)

We want to make sure you have everything you need. 

Breastfeeding support

Breastfeeding is the best choice for both you and your baby. It gives your baby the healthiest food, it's free and it gives your baby antibodies to stay healthy. Breastfeeding also helps you bond with your baby, lose pregnancy weight and can reduce your risk for diabetes and certain cancers.

While breastfeeding is the best option, sometimes it can be hard. That's why we offer you support. 

• Our maternity nurses are trained in providing breastfeeding support and will help you get started.
• For additional support, make an appointment with a lactation specialist. Call:
  
  • Lauryl Ramakrishnan, IBCLC, CPNP-PC, 617-665-1264
  • Miriam Segura Harrison, MD, IBCLC, at Union Square Family Medicine, 617-665-3370

Your baby will need to see a doctor many times during their first year and beyond. CHA's expert team of pediatricians includes doctors on the faculty of Harvard Medical School. Choose a CHA doctor -- pediatricians or family medicine providers -- and you will get a team to help you care for your child from birth through their teenage years.

Safe Sleep

CHA is committed to helping new parents learn about keeping babies safe while they sleep in their crib and has been named a Safe Sleep certified hospital by "Cribs for Kids". CHA has earned a Bronze level certification based on the latest recommendations from the AAP and safe sleep. Click here to learn more about safe sleep from the "Cribs for Kids Safe Sleep Academy".

Car Seat Safety

As a new parent, you want to make your first trip home with your baby a safe one. When leaving the hospital in a car, according to Massachusetts law, your baby must be put in a rear-facing infant car seat placed in the center of the back seat. You can contact your local police and fire department for help installing your car seat before your due date. Find out more about car seats here.

Behavioral Health Support

CHAs Behavioral Health Urgent Care is a walk-in service for people of all ages. When you visit us you will get an assessment to identify any behavioral health issues and treatment needs. We provide treatment on site and referral to other services for ongoing care. CHA has two convenient locations in Cambridge and Malden. Call our 24-hour access line at 833-222-2030. Learn more about our Behavioral Health Urgent Care.

We provide special care for newborn babies in their first few days of life - especially for babies born early or with certain medical problems.