SERVICES

We are pleased to offer annual exams, gynecologic appointments, and prenatal care. We also offer sports physical for school-aged females:

  • New pregnancy appointments are typically 1-1.25 hours long and scheduled around 8-11 weeks of pregnancy. If you know you desire genetic testing, it is now available as early as8 weeks of pregnancy!

  • Repeat OB appointments are typically 20-45 minutes long and occur at an individually scheduled interval, generally every 3-6 weeks, until 36 weeks of pregnancy when they become weekly appointments, though they can be spaced to up to 10 days if everything is normal and you desire fewer appointments.

  • Midwife-attended hospital birth for normal vaginal birth (if an obstetrician is needed, care will be transferred, as appropriate, and we will remain at your side, in a support role).

  • Midwife-attended home birth for low risk pregnancies on Fidalgo and North Whidbey Islands.

  • Inpatient newborn care of the normal, well newborn (if a pediatrician is needed, the care of the newborn will be transferred in hospital). Care after discharge will be coordinated with the pediatric provider of your choosing.

  • Postpartum visits are offered at 2 and 6 weeks postpartum.

  • Problem visits are offered at any time during the pregnancy and after the birth, when problems occur between regularly scheduled appointments.

  • Annual exams and gynecologic appointments, including preconception counseling and early pregnancy confirmation, are generally 30-45 minute appointments.

  • Contraception appointments are typically 30-45 minutes to allow for appropriate counseling prior to the initiation of all contraception options: IUDs, Nexplanon, prescription medication, as well as non-hormonal options.

  • We offer sports physicals for middle and high school females. This includes a physical exam, applicable counseling and completion of school forms. We ask that you bring the required form to the exam, if it is not the ASD athletics form.

  • Telehealth visits are most useful for complimentary meet & greets, problem follow-up and mental health concerns.

  • Appointments can be self-scheduled.

  • We are happy to provide routine prenatal care for women who desire a repeat cesarean. We will coordinate care with the local provider of your choice for your scheduled repeat cesarean. They usually like to see you in their office some time between 28-32 weeks and then again at 38 weeks of pregnancy. We will provide the rest of your care and attend your scheduled birth.

  • We are happy to provide routine prenatal care for women who desire a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). Island Hospital & WhidbeyHealth do not offer LAC/VBACs at this time so we have contracted with a LAC/VBAC friendly obstetrician at PeaceHealth in Bellingham. We can perform the majority of your office care locally and Dr.Anna Dowling with Birth Story Obstetrics will attend your birth Your prenatal care can be here in Anacortes and your birth will be at PeaceHealth in Bellingham.

“Every woman needs a midwife, and some women need a doctor too...”
— Jane Sandall PhD, MSc, BSc (Hons), RM, RN, HV

Most pregnancies are low risk and are recommended for midwifery care. However, there are occasions when referral to an obstetrician is indicated. Indications include:

  • Preexisting hypertension with or without medication

  • Conditions requiring cardiac medication

  • Preexisting diabetes and gestational diabetes requiring insulin

  • Pregnancies with multiples

  • Prior cesarean (Island Hospital & WhidbeyHealth do not offer LAC/VBACs at this time so we have contracted with a LAC/VBAC friendly obstetrician at PeaceHealth in Bellingham. We can perform the majority of your office care locally and Dr.Anna Dowling with Birth Story Obstetrics will attend your birth).

There are also risk limitations for home birth that should be carefully considered.