The moment you see those two pink lines on a stick, a flurry of emotions hits you. Excitement. Fear. And then, the immediate logistical panic: What do I do now?
We get questions all the time at the Santa Clarita Birth Center, often from women who are five or six weeks pregnant. Usually, they are anxious because they have been told by friends, mothers, or the internet that they need to see a doctor immediately. They worry that if they don’t get an ultrasound right away, they are “missing something” or putting their pregnancy at risk.
If that is you, take a deep breath.
At the SCV Birth Center, and across our collective of midwives, including Roam Midwifery and Julia Underwood, we handle early pregnancy differently than the standard medical system. We offer all the same tests available in a doctor’s office, but we deliver them with a completely different philosophy.
Here is the truth about early prenatal care, why we wait, and what testing you actually need.
The Rush to Confirm: “Do I Need an Early Ultrasound?”
In the conventional medical model, the standard first step is often a “dating ultrasound” around 6 to 8 weeks.
For a first-time mom, this sounds exciting! You think you are going to see a baby. But here is the reality: at 6 weeks, your uterus is still tiny, tucked deep behind your pubic bone. An external ultrasound (the jelly on the belly) cannot see through the bone to find the heartbeat.
So, to confirm the pregnancy, the doctor uses a transvaginal ultrasound. This involves inserting a large wand inside your vagina to get a clear picture.
Renee Sicignano, our founder, remembers her own experience with this vividly: “I was so excited to find out if I was pregnant, and then they took out a big giant wand and I was like, ‘Whoa, wait a minute! I didn’t know that was happening!'”
If you choose this path, you might see a “sac.”
- If we see a sac: It tells us you are pregnant (which the pee stick already told us).
- If we see a heartbeat: It tells us you are pregnant today. It doesn’t guarantee you will still be pregnant in two weeks, as miscarriage is most common between 6 and 9 weeks.
The Midwifery Approach: Patience is a Diagnostic Tool
So, what do we do differently?
Unless there is a medical indication (like pain or bleeding), we generally schedule your first appointment between 10 and 11 weeks.
Why wait?
- Safety & Comfort: By 10–11 weeks, your uterus has grown enough that we can usually hear the heartbeat externally with a Doppler. No invasive wands. No discomfort.
- Viability: If we hear a strong heartbeat at 11 weeks, statistics show we have a very viable pregnancy.
- Reducing Anxiety: The “early ultrasound cycle” can be stressful. You go at 6 weeks, see a sac, but no heartbeat yet. They tell you to come back in two weeks. You spend 14 days worrying.
However, we know that sometimes you just want that extra peace of mind. If you are unsure of your dates or simply want to “take a peek” before the 10-week mark, our ultrasound tech, Tara, is available to perform dating ultrasounds right here at the Birth Center.
At the Santa Clarita Birth Center, we treat pregnancy as a normal physiological event, not a medical emergency. If you have missed a period, your breasts are tender, you feel tired (or nauseous!), and a test says positive, you are pregnant.
Enjoy that moment. Trust your body. Let the baby settle in.
“What Are We Going to Do With This Information?”
This is the guiding question of the Midwifery Model of Care.
When you work with our collective of midwives, we never run a test just “because it’s routine.”
Before any blood draw, ultrasound, or screen, we ask:
- What will we learn from this?
- How will this help us move forward?
- Does the benefit outweigh the stress or risk?
In a standard OB office, you might be told, “Go down the hall and get your blood drawn.” You sit in a chair, arm out, often not knowing what they are testing for. It feels like things are being done to you.
In our care, nothing happens without your permission. Informed Consent means we sit down and discuss the test first.
The Testing Menu: Yes, We Offer It All
A common misconception is that choosing a midwife means opting out of modern medicine. People assume we rely on herbs and vibes, skipping the science.
That is false.
We offer all the same diagnostic tests available to you in a hospital setting. The difference is that you are the one in the driver’s seat.
1. Genetic Screening (The “Quad” or NIPT)
Between 10 and 14 weeks, you are offered screening for chromosomal abnormalities (like Down Syndrome).
- The State Option: The California Prenatal Screening Program (formerly the AFP or Quad screen).
- The Private Option: We partner with labs like Sequenom for Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT), which can detect chromosomal issues (and gender!) via a simple blood draw as early as 10 weeks.
- The Choice: We discuss why you might want this. Will it change your plans? Do you just want to prepare? Or do you prefer to decline? All options are valid.
2. The Glucose Tolerance Test
Yes, we screen for Gestational Diabetes. But we might talk about alternatives to the “Glucola” drink, or discuss how your diet impacts the results.
3. Group B Strep & Ultrasounds
We do the Group B Strep culture at 36 weeks. We offer the 20-week anatomy scan ultrasound (referring you to the best perinatologists in the valley).
Treating the Whole Person, Not “The Patient”
When you come to the Santa Clarita Birth Center, you are never treated like cattle. You aren’t a number in a file.
We know that invasive procedures have psychological effects. We know that being told “just relax” while a wand is inserted doesn’t make it relaxing.
As Julia Underwood emphasizes in her practice, you have the right to say:
- “Stop.”
- “Wait a minute.”
- “I need more information.”
- “I don’t want to do that right now.”
If we perform an ultrasound or a blood test, we make sure it works for your budget, too. Whether you have insurance (we ensure coverage) or are cash-pay (we fight for the lowest lab prices), we protect your financial health alongside your physical health.
So, You’re Pregnant. Now What?
If you just found out you are pregnant: Congratulations!
Right at this moment, you are carrying life. It is a blessing. Try not to let fear of “will it stick?” steal your joy.
If you are interested in the midwifery model of care:
- Relax. You don’t need to rush in tomorrow.
- Call Us. We offer a free consultation where you can meet the team, see the center, and ask all your questions.
- Book Your First Visit. We will schedule your comprehensive intake between 10 and 11 weeks, where we will listen to that beautiful heartbeat together, safely and gently.
Ready to start your journey? We serve families in Santa Clarita, Antelope Valley, Simi Valley, and San Fernando Valley.Santa Clarita Birth Center 23548 Lyons Ave suite b, Newhall, CA 91321 (661) 254-3000