Our team specializes in caring for all people during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. After 10 weeks, we typically refer you to Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, where you’ll receive prenatal care throughout the rest of your pregnancy.

We have experience caring for people with a wide range of medical and reproductive histories, including those who have a higher risk of pregnancy complications. Our team coordinates your care to ensure the best start for you and your family.

We use ultrasound technology to diagnose certain complications in early pregnancy. These include ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that occurs outside of the uterus) and molar pregnancy, which happens when a noncancerous tumor grows in the uterus early in the pregnancy.

We also evaluate symptoms that may or may not indicate a problem with the pregnancy. These include lower abdominal pain, cramping, and vaginal bleeding.

A miscarriage, or pregnancy loss, occurs during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. Most miscarriages happen in the first trimester, also known as an early pregnancy loss. Our team helps people with all types of miscarriage, including threatened miscarriage (vaginal bleeding that may lead to a pregnancy loss). Signs of a miscarriage include:

• Bleeding or spotting, which may be light at first but gets heavier over time
• Lower back pain or abdominal pain that feels like strong menstrual cramps
• Tissue, blood clots, or other discharge from the vagina

If you have any of these miscarriage symptoms, it’s essential to get help. Call your doctor right away for an evaluation.

If you have an unintended pregnancy or a problem during early pregnancy, our supportive team will connect you with comprehensive pregnancy counseling services. We take the time to explain the options available to you. We also answer your questions, discuss next steps, and address your concerns.

Our goal is to help you make an informed decision that’s right for you and your overall health. 

After a positive at-home pregnancy test, our team performs a transvaginal ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy and estimate a due date. We also offer a customized early pregnancy care plan, including nutritional guidance, prenatal vitamins, and other resources to give you and your family a healthy start. 

Following a miscarriage, some pregnancy tissue may remain in the uterus. This tissue may pass through the body naturally, or your doctor may need to remove it.

Our team has experience using medications (mifepristone and misoprostol) that help the body expel pregnancy tissue after a pregnancy loss. If necessary, your doctor may recommend a procedure called uterine aspiration. During this procedure, your doctor uses a suction device to ensure that no pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus.

We understand that experiencing a miscarriage can be extremely difficult emotionally. Our team addresses your physical and mental health before, during, and after a pregnancy loss. You will receive support and encouragement from our compassionate team.

Our team provides abortion services to people who choose not to continue with a pregnancy. Your doctor will discuss your options with you, which may include medications or a procedure to terminate the pregnancy. We provide these services in a caring environment and arrange follow-up care as necessary.

After a miscarriage, abortion, or early pregnancy complication, you may have questions or concerns about planning a future pregnancy. Our team provides tailored preconception counseling to guide you through the next steps. We discuss your family planning options and offer all forms of contraception, including birth control pills and intrauterine devices (IUD).  

Most miscarriages result from chromosomal abnormalities (genetic problems during pregnancy). Following a pregnancy loss, you may choose to have genetic testing. 

For many people, these tests may offer answers during a difficult time. Genetic testing can also give you and your care team useful information when planning a future pregnancy.