Our Services

Prenatal Care in Minneapolis

At Roots Community Birth Center, we value not only the data that supports the importance of prenatal care for your physical health, but also the need for connection and trust that is built when you get ample time to talk with your midwife during your visit.

You can expect to see your midwife 8 – 15+ times during your healthy pregnancy, which includes monthly prenatal visits until your 36th week of pregnancy, at which time you would come more frequently until your baby is born.

Getting regular prenatal care has been shown to improve health outcomes for birthing people and babies. In the midwifery model of care that Roots Midwives practice, birthing people get specialized prenatal care that is customized to your specific health and wellness needs.

During a typical prenatal care visit we check on you and your baby to make sure you are both healthy and thriving. We believe strongly in informed consent at Roots Birth Center and no test or check will ever be done without first spending time explaining why the information would be needed and what the test involves. At Roots you will always have shared decision making during your prenatal care, birth, and beyond. We are here to walk with you on your journey through pregnancy and birth.

FAQs

Getting regular prenatal care has been shown to improve health outcomes for birthing people and babies.

What is prenatal care?

Regular visits to check on you and your baby during your pregnancy with a healthcare provider. At Roots, you can expect to see your midwife monthly during your pregnancy for a prenatal visit until approximately 36 weeks gestation at which time you will come more frequently until your baby is born.

During your visit you can expect to have a few basic checks done on you and your baby that include blood pressure monitoring, listening to your baby’s heart rate, and measuring your baby’s growth. Some visits include other tests or diagnostics that are appropriate for that stage of your pregnancy. Each visit is unique and we add in educational pieces and spend plenty of time to make sure you get all your questions answered.

Getting regular prenatal care helps to identify if you and baby are healthy and thriving. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) clients should receive a minimum of 8 prenatal visits during their pregnancies, because this has been shown to better detect potential pregnancy complications as they develop (WHO, 2016)

Regular prenatal care has been shown to reduce the risk of complications in pregnancy for both the birthing person and the baby. At Roots, prenatal care isn’t just about checking a box to get diagnostics on you and baby, it’s also a time for you and your birth support to ask questions, share your stresses and your joys, and get better connected to our team of midwives.

Reach Out

We are happy to see you at any point in your pregnancy!

 

If you’re needing first trimester support, we are here from you at the start. If you find us later on we are happy to care for you as well.

 

The typical visit schedule is monthly in prior to 28 weeks, bi weekly between 28-36, and then weekly until baby. More visits are welcome if you need them.

Click the button below to start care!

This is whole person and whole family care. Not only did the staff at Roots help me birth my baby, they asked about and celebrated my first born who was welcome at my prenatal visits, they listened to and respected me and my partner from start to finish, and always held space for my worries and questions. Even when it looked like I might have to transfer my care due to the possibility of needing a scheduled c-section, the midwives were with me navigating those systems of care and keeping a positive outlook when I started to lose hope I could still have a natural water birth. I was able to deliver my daughter at Roots and am in awe of this amazing team of midwives helping us catch our babies in North Minneapolis.
Roots Client
Prenatal Care in Minneapolis

Photo Credit: Gather Birth Cooperative

Midwifery Care in a Birth Center

At Roots Community Birth Center we wholeheartedly believe in and practice the Midwifery Model of Care. Those new to the Midwifery Model of Care will notice the gentle approach we take in all our visits.

Community midwives, such as those at Roots Community Birth Center, value independent practice that is separate from a hospital system and are skilled experts in out-of-hospital birth.

We take our time, we ask questions, and we listen. The hands on approach of Community Midwifery Care is at its core a shared decision making model where birthing people are empowered to learn about their body and baby to make educated decisions.

Twin Cities birthing families can enjoy our midwifery care model at our Minneapolis birth center and experience truly holistic care where they feel that they have trusted partners in their decision making process for every step of their health journey towards welcoming their children.

FAQs

Midwives are independent care practitioners for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. They provide holistic medical care during prenatal visits as well as during the birth and postpartum.

What is a midwife?

A midwife is a trained independent medical provider who is an expert in reproductive health, pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Midwives offer a more holistic view of pregnancy than is typical for obstetric care, this means that they believe that birthing people and their body’s are healthy and normal. Midwives provide full prenatal care, birth support, and postpartum care.

A community midwife is a licensed midwife with enhanced training for out of hospital birth who offers care within a community based, independently owned practice and not within a hospital system. Community based midwives can be certified nurse midwives (CNM), certified professional midwives (CPM).

Midwives are independent care practitioners for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. They provide holistic medical care during prenatal visits as well as during the birth and postpartum. Midwives can also be your primary health provider for annual exams, contraception and keeping you healthy.

At Roots we LOVE doulas! Doulas provide emotional, physical, and informational support to their clients. Midwives are independent medical care professionals and doulas do not perform any medical tasks. Think of it as a great team where everyone has a job to support the end goal of a healthy, happy, and well family.

The Midwifery Model of Care includes:

If you are considering an “out of hospital” birth at all, you need to have your baby here. The midwives here provide the most holistic care I’ve experienced anywhere in the Twin Cities. I would trust any of them to deliver my baby any day. Besides that, the care you get after having your baby is unparalleled. They provide several home visits, and a couple of group postpartum appts, all well before your 6 week checkup. If you have questions in between appts, they are great at answering messages or phone calls very quickly. I simply cannot speak highly enough of this place. My birth here was as good as a birth can get; basically my “dream” birth.
Roots Client
Midwifery Care in a Birth Center

Well Person Care

Our Certified Nurse Midwife, Willa, provides kind and gentle care to anyone with a uterus over the age of twelve.

Including: 

Call the front desk to schedule your appointment today.

Roots Volunteer Doula Program

Roots Community Birth Center believes in doulas as much as we believe in midwifery care for all. As a part of our commitment to birthing families and doulas, we have a doula internship. These passionate doulas are volunteers for Roots clients. If you are not a Roots client they are available for hire. Read each bio and reach out if you think someone is a fit!

Taylor Stainbrook

Hi! I’m Taylor, a full-spectrum doula-in-training, former Root’s client, and University of Minnesota soccer alum. Throughout my transition from conception through childbirth to parenthood, reproductive curiosities festered and quickly converted into full-blown commitment and lifestyle. There are an abundance of statistics affirming that doula-involved births are proven to result in less need for major labor interventions, increases chance of natural birth, improves general health outcomes, and fosters a healthier start to parentage—and that’s why I had to get involved.
You can find me at a coffee shop with books spilling out of my bag, the indoor playground with a toddler, or possibly off any imaginable street in the metro area (I walk, A LOT). I’m here to support, remain forever curious, and foster environments that contribute to experiences remembered with satisfaction and fulfillment. I hope to see you soon!

Alexis Fine

Hi! My name is Alexis, and I would love to be your doula and support you during your pregnancy and birthing journey. I am a DONA-trained doula and am passionate about women’s health and, more specifically, childbirth. I graduated from the University of Michigan and studied anthropology with a focus on birthing systems and birth cultures worldwide. For the last 8 years, I have worked in various daycare settings and as a nursing assistant at the Children’s Hospital of Minnesota, and am incredibly comfortable and familiar with newborns.

Childbirth is an intimate and personal experience, and I want to help you navigate your options and ultimately feel comfortable and confident with your decisions. My main goal is to make you feel heard, respected, and empowered. I believe a doula’s job is to listen to the mother and help her achieve the best birthing experience for her, whatever that may be. Please feel free to reach out to see if we would be a good match! I look forward to meeting you!