Bay Area Maternity Care Services

Midwifery-led maternity care backed by OB-GYNs and specialists. All births take place at Alta Bates Hospital (Berkeley) or Good Samaritan Hospital (South Bay) with your Millie care team present.

MOST MAJOR INSURANCE PLANS ACCEPTED, INCLUDING some MEDICAID

Above and beyond typical maternity care

• Care starts earlier (as soon as you’re pregnant)
• More visits with longer duration
• Your care team is present at 
your birth
• Extensive postpartum care (3 visits, including one at home)
• Proactive monitoring between visits to catch risks and concerns early
• Easy to reach between visits when you have questions (24x7 via phone)
• 1:1 guidance on birth preferences and postpartum care needs with a doula
• Evidence-based resources for each stage of pregnancy via the Millie app
• Workshops and classes that prepare you for birth and parenthood
• Integrated wraparound supportive care (e.g. lactation, nutritionists, therapists)

What to expect

Key maternity visits at Millie

Maternity care at Millie starts right after your first positive pregnancy test and continues through early parenthood. Here are some of the key visits along the way.

Prenatal

• Virtual consult: Zoom call with a CNM when you’re less than 8 weeks pregnant.
• First ultrasound: Your first in-person visit to the Millie Clinic when you are 8-10 weeks pregnant.
• Frequent in-person checkups: Routine visits to make sure you and your baby are doing well, monthly or more often.
• Millie Guide sessions: One session per trimester included, with unlimited messaging and additional 1:1 visits available.

LABOR & DELIVERY

• Hospital birth: With your Millie care team present to ensure safe delivery in line with your preferences.

POSTPARTUM

• 1 week postpartum: Home visit for recovery check-in, with consultation on infant feeding and newborn care.
• 2-3 weeks postpartum: In-person or virtual appointment to evaluate recovery, mental health and supportive care needs.
• 6-7 weeks postpartum: In-person appointment for a routine exam. Follow-up care plan, birth control options if desired, and referrals as needed.

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Why get maternity care at Millie?

• Because care should be complete.

• Our model brings together the holistic, evidence-based approach of Certified Nurse Midwives, the deep medical expertise of OB-GYNs, and support from experienced specialists who prepare you for birth and early parenthood.

• Because your voice should be heard.

• There’s no one right way to give birth, so you’ll work with a doula to create an individualized birth and postpartum care plan. Your Millie care team will be present at your hospital birth to help you deliver your baby safely while making sure your preferences are honored.

• Because we’re always by your side.

• Pregnancy is a long journey, but with Millie, you’ll have continuous guidance and support. We provide longer, more frequent appointments, proactive remote monitoring to catch risks and concerns early, and 24/7 access to your care team for questions.

Start your maternity care with Millie

0-7 weeks

Virtual / 20 Minutes
For whom: if you are less than 8 weeks pregnant or wish to transfer care
What to expect: during the Zoom consult we’ll discuss your options and answer questions
This visit will be billed to insurance

8+ weeks

In person / 60 minutes
For whom: if it's been more than 8 weeks since your last menstrual period
What to expect: during the in-person visit we’ll confirm your pregnancy via lab tests and ultrasound and get to know you holistically.
This visit will be billed to insurance

Maternity FAQ

Is my pregnancy a good fit for Millie?

An estimated 80% of pregnancies are low-risk and another 10-15% are moderate-risk; Millie care is designed for this population. Millie does not accept high-risk pregnancies at this time, but we are happy to make a referral. Clinical eligibility details are available for the Berkeley clinic and the South Bay clinic.

Do you take insurance? Which plans?

Millie currently accepts PPO plans from Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, GEHA (Berkeley) and HealthNet, as well as some local networks. In Berkeley, Millie accepts HMO plans via Brown & Toland (now Altais) and Hill Physicians. In the South Bay, Millie accepts HMO plans via SCCIPA. Millie also accepts some Medi-Cal plans via Alameda Alliance for Health (AAH) and NEMS.

What will I pay for my maternity care?

All clinical appointments, lab tests, ultrasounds, and the labor and delivery experience at Alta Bates Hospital (Berkeley) or Good Samaritan Hospital (South Bay) are billed to insurance. In-network lactation services are also offered and accepted by most major insurance plans, including Medicaid.

What is a midwife vs. an OB, and why do both matter?

Millie employs Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) — licensed as both Registered Nurses and Midwives — known for a minimal-intervention approach that promotes physiological birth and meets about 80% of clinical needs during pregnancy and childbirth. OB-GYNs are medical doctors and surgeons trained to perform procedures like cesarean delivery and gynecologic surgery, and are the ideal clinician for higher level of care.

Where will I deliver?

All births take place at Alta Bates Hospital (Berkeley) or Good Samaritan Hospital (South Bay).

Who will be at my birth and deliver my baby?

Millie midwives and the UCSF OB-GYNs (Berkeley) or hospitalist OB-GYNs at Good Samaritan (South Bay) work together for seamless transition from pregnancy to delivery and postpartum care.

Is the clinic reachable outside office hours?

Millie is available to answer clinical questions 24/7.

After-hours:

• Berkeley (510) 495-0310
• South Bay (408) 762-5855