Low-cost prenatal care in Nashville

You have options for pregnancy care

Finding out you're pregnant can bring excitement, uncertainty, and questions about how you'll afford medical care.

The good news is that many women in Nashville receive quality prenatal care without private insurance. Community health centers, public health clinics, hospital financial assistance programs, and TennCare help expectant mothers receive care every year.

The most important step is scheduling your first prenatal visit as early as possible.

When to seek immediate medical care

Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have chest pain, trouble breathing, a seizure, or thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.

Do not wait for your next prenatal appointment. Get medical care right away if you have any of these urgent maternal warning signs from the CDC, during pregnancy or in the year after:

• Headache that won't go away or gets worse over time
• Dizziness or fainting
• Changes in your vision
• Fever of 100.4°F or higher
• Extreme swelling of your hands or face
• Thoughts about harming yourself or your baby
• Trouble breathing
• Chest pain or fast-beating heart
• Severe nausea and throwing up
• Severe belly pain that doesn't go away
• Baby's movement stopping or slowing during pregnancy
• Vaginal bleeding or fluid leaking during pregnancy
• Vaginal bleeding or discharge after pregnancy
• Severe swelling, redness, or pain of your leg or arm
• Overwhelming tiredness

If something just doesn't feel right, or you are not sure whether it is serious, call your healthcare provider. When you get care, tell them you are pregnant or were pregnant in the last year.

For emotional support during or after pregnancy, call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262). It is free, confidential, and open 24/7 in English and Spanish. You can also call or text 988.

Why prenatal care matters

Regular prenatal care helps monitor both your health and your baby's development throughout pregnancy.

Routine visits can help identify:

• High blood pressure
• Gestational diabetes
• Nutritional concerns
• Pregnancy complications
• Baby's growth and development
• Labor planning

Early prenatal care is associated with healthier pregnancies and improved birth outcomes.

Can I get prenatal care without insurance?

Yes.

Many healthcare providers in Nashville offer prenatal care for patients who do not have health insurance, have low income, are self-employed, recently moved to Tennessee, are waiting for insurance coverage, or have limited financial resources.

Payment options may include:

• Sliding-scale fees
• Payment plans
• Financial assistance
• TennCare pregnancy coverage
• Charity care programs

Always ask what financial assistance is available before your first appointment.

Community health centers

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) provide affordable prenatal services based on household income.

Services often include:

• Pregnancy confirmation
• Prenatal exams
• Ultrasounds (through referral)
• Laboratory testing
• Nutrition counseling
• High-risk pregnancy referrals
• Postpartum care

Many centers also offer interpretation services for patients who speak languages other than English.

Tennessee Medicaid (TennCare) pregnancy coverage

TennCare covers pregnant women who live in Tennessee, are U.S. citizens or eligible immigrants, and meet the income limit. Starting October 1, 2026, federal rules narrow which immigrants count as eligible, and refugees and people granted asylum are among those losing TennCare. If you do not qualify for TennCare, or you lose it, ask about CoverKids: the state says no immigration documents are required for pregnant women. A pregnant woman is counted as herself plus her baby, so the 2026 limit is $54,100 a year for a woman living alone (household of two), $68,300 for a household of three, and $82,500 for a household of four. The limit is higher than for most adults, so many women qualify during pregnancy even if they would not qualify otherwise.

Coverage may include:

• Prenatal appointments
• Laboratory testing
• Hospital delivery
• Specialist visits
• Prescriptions
• Postpartum care for 12 months after delivery

Apply as soon as possible at tenncareconnect.tn.gov or call TennCare Connect at 855-259-0701. You may be able to get temporary coverage right away through presumptive eligibility at a local health department while TennCare reviews your application. Presumptive eligibility is only for women who meet TennCare's citizenship or immigration-status rule; if you do not, the health department can help you apply for CoverKids instead.

If you have TennCare when your baby is born, your coverage continues for 12 months after delivery. Call TennCare Connect at 855-259-0701 after the birth to update your account.

CoverKids: coverage if you do not qualify for TennCare

CoverKids covers prenatal care, delivery, and 60 days of postpartum care for pregnant women with household income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level. Your baby counts in your household size, so the 2026 limit is $54,100 a year for a woman living alone, $68,300 for a household of three, or $82,500 for a household of four. There is no monthly premium, though some services have copays.

According to the State of Tennessee (checked October 5, 2026, after the October 1 federal changes), no immigration documents are required for pregnant women. If you do not have a Social Security number, your local health department can help you apply in person. You can also apply at tenncareconnect.tn.gov or by calling 855-259-0701.

Where to start

• HRSA Find a Health Center: search by address for federally funded health centers near you that charge based on income.
• TennCare and CoverKids applications: tenncareconnect.tn.gov or 855-259-0701.
• Connectus Health (federally qualified health center with midwifery and women's health): 615-292-9770, 3754 Murfreesboro Pike (Antioch) and 601 Benton Ave (Vine Hill).
• Neighborhood Health (federally qualified health center, sliding fee), 615-227-3000: the clinics that list prenatal care are Cayce Place, 617 South 8th St; East Side, 905 Main St; and Madison, 601 West Due West Ave. The Casa Azafrán clinic, 2195 Nolensville Pike, and the Welshwood clinic, 419 Welshwood Dr, offer medical care, pregnancy tests and well-woman exams but do not list prenatal care, so call before you go.
• Metro Public Health Department, Lentz Public Health Center, 2500 Charlotte Ave, 615-340-5616: ask about pregnancy testing, WIC, presumptive eligibility, and help applying for coverage.

Nashville Health Department services

The Metro Public Health Department helps connect pregnant women with prenatal resources and community programs.

Available services may include:

• Pregnancy referrals
• Immunizations
• Nutrition education
• WIC enrollment assistance
• Family planning
• Community health resources

If additional medical care is needed, staff can often help connect patients with participating providers.

What to bring to your first appointment

Bring as many of these items as possible:

• Government-issued photo ID or passport
• Insurance card (if available)
• Proof of income (if applying for sliding-scale fees)
• Proof of address
• List of medications
• Medical history
• Previous pregnancy records (if available)

Do not delay scheduling care if you do not have every document. Many clinics can explain what is needed after your first visit.

If you need help paying

Ask every provider these questions:

• Do you offer sliding-scale pricing?
• Can I apply for financial assistance?
• Do you accept TennCare?
• What payment plans are available?
• Can someone help me apply for pregnancy Medicaid?
• Are there community resources that can help?

Many patients pay far less than they initially expect after financial assistance is applied.

Frequently asked questions

Related resources

• Free Community Health Centers in Nashville
• Free and sliding-scale clinics in Nashville
• Affordable dental care in Nashville
• Free and low-cost vaccinations in Nashville

Key takeaway

Cost should never be the reason someone goes without prenatal care. Nashville offers community health centers, public health programs, TennCare coverage, and financial assistance that help expectant mothers receive the care they need. If you're pregnant, schedule your first prenatal appointment as early as possible and ask about every financial assistance program available.