Birthing Choices: Health Care Providers
Tennessee offers a comprehensive array of healthcare providers and support professionals to assist families during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care, ensuring personalized options to meet diverse needs across the state.
Perinatal Providers
Physicians: Obstetricians (OB-GYNs) in Tennessee specialize in managing both routine and high-risk pregnancies. They are available in hospitals and clinics statewide, providing comprehensive obstetric care.
Nurses and Midwives: Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) and Licensed Midwives focus on patient-centered care, often facilitating a more natural childbirth experience with minimal interventions.
Physician Assistants (PAs): PAs are trained medical professionals who collaborate with doctors to provide prenatal care, routine checkups, and postpartum support, enhancing accessibility in both urban and rural areas.
Other Perinatal Professionals
Doulas: Doulas offer non-medical emotional and physical support during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. Organizations like the Tennessee Perinatal Association connect families with trained professionals.
Home Visitors: Programs such as the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) initiative provide voluntary, evidence-based home visiting services for expectant and new parents with children up to kindergarten entry age, focusing on communities at risk for poor maternal and child health outcomes.
Behavioral Health Professionals: Specialists provide support for maternal mental health issues like postpartum depression and anxiety.
Lactation Consultants: Certified lactation consultants assist with breastfeeding challenges and provide education and support. Many hospitals offer lactation services, and independent providers offer personalized consultations.
Rural and Underserved Healthcare Support
Tennessee has implemented the Tennessee Perinatal Care System to provide and support an appropriate, accessible high-risk perinatal and neonatal health care system that meets the needs of high-risk infants and child-bearing aged women in the state.
With these comprehensive options, families across Tennessee can find the care and support they need, from specialized medical providers to community-based services, ensuring a safe and healthy start for both parents and babies.
Find in the directory
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Hospitals, birth centers, doulas, WIC clinics, milk banks and more are listed by county. Enter a ZIP code or city to see yours.