Babies are Our Specialty
For your pregnancy journey, our experienced, interdisciplinary team at Garrison Women’s Health is your choice for the ultimate care at the Seacoast’s top-rated birth center, Wentworth-Douglass Hospital.
As your trusted healthcare partners, we understand each pregnancy is unique and are your resource to educate and empower you every step of the way.
From your labor environment to pain management, to your preferences in the event of an emergency and newborn care, you have all of the best options at Wentworth-Douglass, the only hospital in New Hampshire featured in Newsweek’s top maternity hospitals nationwide.
Count on Our Team
It’s all about choices for your prenatal care.
Whether you choose to work with one team member from conception through delivery or with different team members at each stage, our providers, midwives, doulas and nurse practitioners offer customizable pregnancy plans and adaptable scheduling.
A Schedule that Fits You
Life is busy. We get that. Which is why we offer flexible programs, depending on your unique situation and preferences.
We’re here as your resource - to provide the care you need and to address any questions or concerns you may have.
Your Birth Plan
No two pregnancies are alike. You have specific health needs and preferences, which is why we work together to customize a plan - on your terms - to focus on the safest and healthiest journey for you and your baby.
Prenatal Appointments
We’re proud to offer expecting moms two customizable models of prenatal care to meet your scheduling needs.
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Traditional Model |
The Essential Eight Model |
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A good option for any mom-to-be (including first-time mothers), who want to speak with a provider more frequently, or moms who would prefer to monitor progression on a more regular basis. |
A good option for: Patients with busy lives and schedules, who travel long distances to appointments or who have been through a pregnancy before. Equally as safe and effective as the traditional route, fewer appointments (8 in total) allow providers and patients to focus on pregnancy’s most important milestones. |
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Includes the traditional 14 appointments with nurses, midwives and/or providers. |
Includes 8 appointments with a provider (1 in the first trimester, 2 in the second, and 5 in the third). |
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In the third trimester, visits are usually once a week. |
All major milestones are covered, including hearing a fetal heart rate for the first time, the fetal survey (checking four chambers of the heart, all ten fingers and ten toes, etc.), and all crucial tests and results. |
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Ideal for mothers with high-risk pregnancies, diabetes, hypertension, or any major medical conditions. |
As always, you can schedule additional appointments on an as-needed basis. |
Midwives Offer Holistic Approach
We were the first hospital-based practice in New Hampshire to offer midwifery care. Since 1975, our midwives have provided an individualized, holistic approach to women’s care in the greater Seacoast area.
Certified nurse-midwives are fully trained and licensed nurses who have additional, extensive training and national certification in midwifery. A midwife’s approach focuses on nurturing and empowering you to be in control of your pregnancy journey.
They keep a watchful eye on mothers-to-be during the labor and delivery process, as well as during prenatal and postpartum care. Midwives can help with breastfeeding and will provide emotional support when needed.
Like an obstetrician, a midwife can deliver your baby, while being focused on the whole birth experience. In addition to comprehensive medical care and collaboration with your on-call obstetrician, your midwife provides individualized guidance, shared decision-making and integrative therapies throughout your labor.
Your Options for Labor
Our top priority is always the safety and comfort of you and your baby. That’s why we’re proud to offer a variety of labor options to help you bring this new life into the world.
Although our physicians have low primary C-section rates, there are times when a cesarean is the ideal option. When it is, we strive to keep you, your partner and your baby together through the entire process, making bonding as seamless as possible. Our “gentle cesarean” includes dim lighting, music of your choice and immediate skin-to-skin bonding.
During your labor, you’ll have many options from which to choose with your team:
High-Risk Pregnancies
Your pregnancy may be considered high-risk for any number of factors. This doesn’t mean it will be any more difficult than a low-risk pregnancy. It simply means a higher level of precaution and care is required.
We’ll always collaborate with you to ensure we follow your birth plan to the best of our capabilities, only intervening when needed because of a medical emergency.
Our compassionate team of experts - including board-certified maternal-fetal specialists - is trained and experienced in monitoring your baby’s progress closely to ensure the safest and healthiest birth experience for everyone.
And, when it’s time to deliver, we provide the best Level 2 nursery in the region.
A few of the high-risk conditions we treat include:
Support for Mothers-to-Be
Wentworth-Douglass Hospital’s bi-weekly Pregnancy Circle is a safe place where mothers-to-be can begin building a community of supportive women to help guide them through their pregnancy journey. Pregnancy Circle is currently on hold due to COVID-19 precautions.
It’s a true community of women caring for women in a non-clinical environment
Navigating Your Pregnancy Journey
Baby on the way?
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We will include information about educational classes, weekly milestones just so you'll know what your little one is up to!
To enroll, text WDHB to 57881.
Garrison Women's Health
770 Central Avenue
Dover, New Hampshire 03820
Hours:
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Phone:
Office: (603) 742-0101
Fax: (603) 743-3171