Pregnancy & Childbirth

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health has been helping Puget Sound families welcome new babies for decades. More pregnant women choose us because our depth of experience consistently leads to happy birth stories and healthy babies. You can count on our team to be there for you with expertise, compassion and comfort at every turn. 

You have access to trusted providers, birthing options and support that make pregnancy and childbirth uniquely yours. It is an honor to be part of your family’s journey, which is why we give you our best before, during and after your baby’s arrival. 

Highlights of our program include:

• Compassion: Our team includes experienced obstetricians, certified nurse midwives and family medicine providers. No matter which specialty you choose, you can expect exceptional maternity care with a personalized touch. Patients consistently say they feel well-informed, listened to and respected. Explore maternity care providers.
    
• Attentive prenatal care: These services help you feel your best and take good care of your growing baby. We perform regular checkups and provide information and resources that help you prepare for your baby’s arrival. Prenatal care is available in clinics throughout the Puget Sound.
    
• Expert care for special deliveries: Our team includes doctors with advanced training in pregnancy complications and fetal development. We detect issues early on and coordinate high-risk pregnancy services that keep you and your baby safe. Newborns who need extra attention receive a higher level of care in our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or special care nurseries.
     
• Personalized birth experience: When it comes to delivering your baby, we follow your lead while paying careful attention to your baby’s needs. Our providers support women seeking a natural birth experience or medicated vaginal delivery. If circumstances change, we can perform a C-section within minutes. Read more about labor and delivery.

Nationally recognized maternity care
Many of our birth centers are Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Distinction® Centers for Maternity Care. Plus, St. Francis Hospital and St. Elizabeth Hospital are among America’s Best Maternity Hospitals according to Newsweek magazine.
We deliver high-quality services for vaginal, vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) and cesarean section (C-section) deliveries (if necessary). Our teams also maintain outstanding patient satisfaction rates and lower rates of early elective deliveries.

After a long labor and tearing with her first baby, Misty opted for a natural birth at the Midwifery Birth Center at St. Joseph Medical Center for her second. She credits the relaxed approach and individual attention with helping her have a successful vaginal delivery. And she speaks highly of her experience, “I recommend it to anyone interested in a natural birth. It’s amazing.”

Watch Misty tell her story.

Our comprehensive maternity care approach extends beyond pregnancy and childbirth. We also offer special services that make life a little easier for your growing family. 

Additional services we offer include: 

• Postpartum and newborn care services to ensure your recovery after birth is on track and your newborn is healthy
• Breastfeeding support from certified lactation consultants who help you push past common challenges 
• Childbirth family education and resources that help expectant couples become confident parents 

Find out more about our pregnancy and childbirth services or make an appointment.