Third trimester transfer

Photo credit: E. Hammond

The belly has grown and plans have been made for welcoming the new little cub. The big day of meeting each other face to face for the first time is eagerly anticipated, but something isn’t quite right. For whatever reason, the thought of changing providers has become a thing to research. So, when is it too late in pregnancy to transfer care to a new provider?

The short answer is: it’s never too late.

As you can imagine, there is more to this answer. For starters, not all practices and providers accept transfer late in pregnancy. Some have strict limits such as 36 weeks. Others welcome transfers at any stage before labor. Some want prenatal records in-hand in order to be seen at the first visit to establish care. Others will start care and request records. There might not be options in the vicinity. Many regions of the U.S. are what’s know as maternity care deserts which don’t have options for care. Then there may be finances to consider. Insurance deductibles, payments made, and new out-of-pocket expenses may arise as concerns even if all of the other stars align. On top of it all, there is roughly a 9-month period of time in which a relationship is built between client/patient and provider. This relationship is crucial to building the trust and connection that can be important to the birth itself. Other times, trust and comfort are established in labor.

There are factors involved in transferring care. What cannot be lost in the equation is the importance of birthing families to freely choose the ways they will seek perinatal care and welcome their newest member. Pregnancy and birth are transformational times. They will be remembered for a lifetime. As much as it is up to birthing families, it is never too late to transfer their care to the provider or practice of their choice.

Rewilding is honored to welcome transfers into prenatal care on a case-by-case basis at any point in pregnancy.