Pregnancy: An Overview
Pregnancy is usually a joyful and exciting time, but it can also be a time of uncertainty and worry. MIT Medical understands those challenges and offers plenty of resources to answer your questions, lend support, and help you make healthy decisions from the moment you learn you are pregnant. Our affiliation with Mt. Auburn Hospital assures you expert care throughout your pregnancy, and new mothers can share concerns and information in MIT Medical's new moms group.
How MIT Can Help
The following resources are available to members of the MIT community:
Pregnancy testing
Pregnancy testing is free at MIT Medical. To request a pregnancy test, call your primary care provider or the Obstetrics & Gynecology Service at 617-253-1315, and ask to speak with the nurse.
The procedure
The nurse will obtain basic information and arrange your pregnancy test appointment with the MIT Medical laboratory. If pregnancy is not an option for you at this time, this is also a good opportunity to discuss important issues related to pregnancy prevention, such as how well your current birth control method is working, or whether you have been forced to have sex against your will.
When you arrive for the pregnancy test, you will be asked for a urine or blood sample. The nurse will call you with the results.
Insurance and confidentiality
Pregnancy tests are covered under the Student Medical Plan, and parents’ insurance is not involved. Therefore, no information about the visit will be sent to parents. In addition, medical records at MIT are protected by privacy and confidentiality laws. Parents may receive a copy of a student’s record only with written authorization from the student.
If prescription medications are charged, a pharmacy charge statement may be generated on a student’s bursar bill or parents’ insurance statement. The pharmacy charge will not appear if the medication is paid for in cash.
Home pregnancy tests
Over-the-counter home pregnancy tests can be purchased at most drugstores and at the MIT Pharmacy. Over-the-counter tests are similar to the tests done at MIT Medical, although a clinician is more likely to perform the test accurately.
Emergency contraception
(formerly known as the “morning-after pill”)
When to take it:
Emergency contraception can be used for up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected intercourse. It is more effective the sooner you take it.
Where to get it:
Emergency contraception is available without a prescription.MIT pharmacists can dispense emergency contraception during regular pharmacy hours after talking with a patient.
We recommend that you purchase some and keep it on hand, that way if there’s ever an emergency, you will have it available to take right away. During evenings and weekends if you need help finding the nearest pharmacy, you can contact Urgent Care (617-253-1311).
What to do if you’ve been assaulted or are under the age of 17:
If you’ve been sexually assaulted or are under the age of 17, call (617-253-1311) or stop by Urgent Care directly to see a clinician.
How much does it cost?
The cost at MIT’s pharmacy is $46.75. The pricing is similar at local pharmacies. If cost is an issue, it can be purchased at your local Planned Parenthood (260 Elm St., Davis Square, Cambridge or 1055 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, both: (800) 258-4448) for $26.75.
Can I use regular birth control pills instead of getting Plan B?
If you already have a pack of regular birth control pills, you may be able to use them for emergency contraception (click here to find out more about which oral contraceptives have been proven safe and effective for preventing pregnancy after sex). However, these brands of pills are not as effective as pills containing only progestin, such as Plan B.
Prenatal care at MIT Medical:
In partnership with Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, MIT Medical's obstetricians/gynecologists and nurse practitioners work with Mount Auburn physicians and certified nurse-midwives to offer a wide range of health care services for women, including complete prenatal care, all necessary tests, and birth planning, as well as health education, support, and encouragement. Physicians who specialize in maternal/fetal medicine are available for women who have special medical or genetic concerns or face high-risk pregnancies.
Scheduling your first appointments
Women who wish to receive prenatal care at MIT Medical should call the OB/GYN Service at 617-253-1315 to schedule initial appointments with the OB/GYN nurse and your choice of either an obstetrician or midwife. Within 24 hours of scheduling these appointments with the secretary, the OB/GYN nurse will call you to provide more information about MIT Medical’s prenatal services and answer any questions you may have. The nurse will prescribe prenatal vitamins if you are not already taking them and let you know how to contact us if you have any concerns or additional questions before your first appointment. The nurse will also mail you information about MIT Medical’s pregnancy services [PDF].
Your appointment with the OB/GYN nurse will be scheduled between your sixth and eighth week of pregnancy. During this visit, the nurse will review MIT Medical’s OB services, review your medical history, answer your questions about pregnancy, and order prenatal laboratory tests. The nurse will also order a pregnancy test if your first positive test was performed at home. You will receive a folder containing pregnancy-related information, including a guide to medications that are safe to take during pregnancy, foods you should avoid, tests that will be performed during your pregnancy, normal discomforts during pregnancy, and how to contact us in an emergency.
Your first appointment with your obstetrician or midwife will be scheduled during the eighth to tenth week of your pregnancy, based on your last menstrual period.
The Birthplace
The Mount Auburn Birthplace combines care, compassion, and technology to offer parents-to-be and families a homey and comfortable setting for births. Mothers stay in one room through labor, delivery, and recovery. All rooms are equipped with private baths and showers, and some have Jacuzzis. If necessary, cesarean-section rooms are immediately adjacent, and anesthesiologists are in-house 24 hours a day. Pediatricians and neonatal nurses are also in-house 24 hours a day for babies who require special care following delivery. Alternate birth experiences such as birthing chairs, birthing balls, hypno-birthing, doulas, and water births are available.
Other Resources
MIT Medical offers additional resources to help guide and support you during and after pregnancy, including:
Health educator consultations: At MIT Medical’s Center for Health Promotion & Wellness, E23-205, health educators are available to answer your questions, direct you to MIT health resources, and support you in making informed decisions about your pregnancy. Confidential consultations can take place in person or by phone.
A staff member at your local Planned Parenthood health center can also discuss your options with you—parenting, adoption, or abortion—and help you weigh the benefits and risks of each. They can also help you find the services you need.
Note: The MIT Student Extended Health Plan covers voluntary termination of pregnancy at Planned Parenthood of Boston only. The MIT Student Medical Plan does not cover this procedure.
Meet Pediatrics: Each month, the MIT Medical Pediatrics Service hosts “Meet Pediatrics,” a session for expectant parents to share concerns and information and learn about pediatric services at MIT Medical. For information on upcoming sessions, call 617-253-1505.
Meet the Docs/Meet the Midwives: Mount Auburn Hospital hosts “Meet the Docs” and “Meet the Midwives” sessions throughout the year. These informal sessions give expectant parents the opportunity to get answers to their questions about labor and delivery. Spouses, partners, and other family members are welcome. Tours of the labor and delivery and postpartum units are included. Contact MIT Medical’s OB/GYN Service at 617-253-1315 for meeting dates and location of “Meet the Docs” sessions; the “Meet the Midwives” schedule is posted on their web site.
New Moms Group: This six-week group is the perfect "first group" for moms and their new babies (two to six weeks old at the first meeting).
spouses&partners@mit: This support network for wives, husbands, and spousal-equivalents of MIT students, staff, and faculty provides information and referrals to connect members with pregnancy resources both at MIT and in the Boston area. Membership is free.
MIT FamilyNet: This online community for MIT families allows members to network and share information with other expectant parents on a variety of topics including labor and delivery, breastfeeding, and other concerns.
International student resources: MIT Medical offers guidance and special resources for international students to help them access health care at MIT Medical. In addition, some of our physicians and nurse practitioners speak other languages, and all have access to the Language Line telephone translation service. With advance notice, we can usually arrange for foreign language or sign language interpreters at our Cambridge and Lexington centers.
Information and Education
MIT Medical’s Center for Health Promotion & Wellness (CHPW) has compiled a number of pamphlets that you can pick up in room E23-205 or download (below). CHPW’s Multimedia Library is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Traveling during pregnancy (PDF)
Calcium-rich foods (PDF)
Iron-rich foods (PDF)
Normal discomforts during pregnancy (PDF)
GYN Patient Appointment Guide (PDF)
Pregnancy terminology list (PDF)
Recommended pregnancy reading list (PDF)
Glucola test instructions (PDF)
Taking medications during pregnancy (PDF)
For more information about pregnancy, check out the following web sites:
Healthy Pregnancy: This U.S. Department of Health & Human Services site provides health tips, information, and advice on preparing for parenthood.
Midwives at Mount Auburn Hospital: This site provides detailed information about the services and resources provided by Mount Auburn’s midwives.
Planned Parenthood: This site includes information on topics such as birth control, pregnancy options, and prenatal care.
Pregnancy.org: This site includes a week-by-week fetal-development chart, helpful articles, and advice for dads.
What to Expect When You’re Expecting: This online companion to the bestselling book offers tips, FAQs, and a web forum for moms.
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