Who should a 3-month pregnant woman new to the area contact to find an obstetrician (OB) or primary care provider (PCP) for prenatal care?

Who to Contact for Prenatal Care When New to an Area

A 3-month pregnant woman new to the area should contact her health insurance provider first to obtain a list of in-network obstetricians or midwives, or if uninsured, should call the local health department or community health center to establish prenatal care immediately. 1

Immediate Action Steps

For Women with Health Insurance

• Contact your insurance company directly to obtain a list of in-network obstetricians (OB-GYNs), family physicians, or certified nurse-midwives who provide prenatal care in your area 1, 2
• Request providers who accept new obstetric patients and can accommodate your current gestational age (3 months/12 weeks) 3
• In the U.S., pregnant women have the option to see an obstetrician-gynecologist, general practitioner, or midwife for prenatal care 1, 2

For Women Without Health Insurance

• Call your local health department to inquire about prenatal care programs and community health centers that serve uninsured pregnant women 4
• Contact federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in your area, which provide prenatal care on a sliding fee scale based on income 4
• Apply for Medicaid immediately, as pregnancy makes you eligible in most states—Medicaid covered 43.9% of deliveries in 2009 and provides comprehensive prenatal coverage 4

Why Immediate Action Matters

Prenatal care initiated at 10 weeks or earlier improves outcomes, and at 3 months (approximately 12 weeks), you are approaching the end of the optimal window for first-trimester care 3. Early prenatal care allows for:

• Accurate dating of pregnancy using first-trimester ultrasound 5
• Essential first-trimester screening for genetic conditions and maternal health issues 3
• Initiation of low-dose aspirin (81 mg daily) starting at 12 weeks for women at risk of preeclampsia 3
• Screening for conditions that affect pregnancy outcomes 5

Provider Type Selection

For Low-Risk Pregnancies

• General practitioners or certified nurse-midwives are appropriate for routine prenatal care in uncomplicated pregnancies 1, 2
• Most peer countries recommend that low-risk women see only general practitioners or midwives for prenatal care 2

For High-Risk Conditions

If you have any of the following, request referral to an obstetrician or maternal-fetal medicine specialist 1:

• Pre-existing diabetes, hypertension, or other chronic medical conditions 1
• Previous pregnancy complications 1
• Multiple pregnancy (twins or more) 1
• Age 35 years or older 3
• BMI >25 kg/m² 3

Additional Resources to Contact

If You Have Complex Medical Conditions

• Request a multidisciplinary team that includes specialists relevant to your condition (e.g., endocrinologist for diabetes, gastroenterologist for inflammatory bowel disease) 1
• Ideally, care should be coordinated at a tertiary care center with Level III or IV maternal care capabilities 1

State-Specific Resources

• Call 211 (available in most U.S. states) for referrals to prenatal care services 4
• Contact your state's Department of Health maternal and child health division for assistance finding providers 4

Common Pitfall to Avoid

Do not delay establishing care while searching for the "perfect" provider. At 3 months pregnant, time is critical for first-trimester screening and interventions. It is better to establish care quickly with an available qualified provider and transfer later if needed, rather than miss the window for early pregnancy interventions 3, 5.