Provider choices

At Mayo Clinic Health System, an entire team of expert and specialized staff work together to serve you. Brief videos are available to help you select a health care provider whose approach to care aligns with yours. Provider types vary by location.

Learn about the health care team:

Certified nurse midwives
Certified nurse midwives are advanced-practice providers with training, education and certification in women's health issues. Certified nurse midwives provide birth control, preconception counseling, prenatal care, labor and delivery care, breastfeeding assistance, postpartum care, gynecological preventive exams and menopause management.

Nurse midwives provide 24/7 in-house coverage for the birth center, which a 2020 Mayo Clinic study noted as an effective practice. They assess all patients when they arrive for labor and delivery, provide active labor support and delivery, as well as postpartum evaluation.

Family Medicine providers
Family medicine physicians and advanced care providers are trained to care for people of all ages. They provide preconception counseling and prenatal care. Typically, the family medicine physician who cares for you in clinic will deliver your newborn. They care for the medical needs of infants, children and your entire family.

Prenatal care is offered by Family Medicine physicians at many of Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Family physicians transfer care to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology or Family Health Clinic at about 36 weeks of pregnancy. The OB-GYN Delivery Team provides delivery care.

Family Medicine physician residents
Residents are Family Medicine physicians in training through the Mayo Family Medicine Residency program. Residents offer one-on-one education during appointments at the Mayo Clinic Health System Family Health Clinic in La Crosse, with faculty members often participating so patients receive the benefit of the resident and the highly experienced physician. Residents and faculty physicians make every effort to be available to deliver their patients' babies. The residents offer continuity of care. If you want to see the same provider for your prenatal care through the birth of your baby, this might be a good option for you. If you become high risk, your care team also will include an OB-GYN.

Genetic counselors
If you need help understanding the significance of a genetic disorder, Mayo Clinic Health System's genetic counseling services can help you. The genetic counselor provides information and support, and educates families affected by, or at risk for, a genetic disorder. Using a comprehensive team approach, you will virtually meet with the genetic counselor in Eau Claire to determine the risks of developing certain diseases, as well as screening and preventive treatment. Learn more on Eau Claire's genetic counseling page.

Gynecologic oncologist
If you need surgery for a complex pelvic mass that is suspicious for malignancy of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, peritoneum, uterus, cervix or vulva, you will be seen virtually for a pre-surgical consultation by a gynecologic oncologist from Mayo Clinic. After your surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, you will have a follow-up appointment with the gynecologic oncologist to see how you're doing.

Maternal Fetal Medicine
The Maternal and Fetal Medicine group cares for women who have high-risk pregnancies involving obstetric, medical, surgical or genetic complications. These specialists complement obstetrical care providers, and can co-manage complex conditions before or during pregnancy. This team of physicians and nurses helps coordinate any necessary intrauterine therapy, plans the route and timing of delivery and provides a smooth care transition for the newborn infant. If you’re experiencing or anticipating a high-risk pregnancy, you can consult virtually with a Mayo Clinic Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist.

Nurse Practitioners
Nurse practitioners are advanced care providers who specialize in pregnancy care; disorders of the reproductive system; breast health; and preventive medicine, including sexual function and contraception.

OB-GYNs
Physicians who have completed specialty training in obstetrics and gynecology are commonly referred to as OB-GYNs. They specialize in normal and high-risk pregnancies; disorders of the reproductive system; breast health; and preventive medicine, including sexual function and contraception. OB-GYNs are specially trained to handle high-risk situations, including vaginal deliveries and cesarean sections.

OB-GYNs serve as back-up for all deliveries and are on-call for consultation. They focus on supporting those with high-risk medical needs.