Susannah Hanson, CNM, ARNP: Authoritative Guide To Midwifery Care At Swedish Seattle In 2026
Disambiguation Note: This clinical guide focuses exclusively on Susannah Hanson, CNM, ARNP, the certified nurse-midwife and advanced registered nurse practitioner practicing at Swedish Midwifery - First Hill in Seattle, Washington. It does not cover other individuals or professionals of the same name in non-medical fields.
Selecting the right healthcare provider for pregnancy, birth, and lifelong gynecological care is one of the most critical decisions a patient can make. In the Pacific Northwest, certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality, patient-centered care. Among the leading practitioners in the Seattle region is Susannah Hanson, CNM, ARNP.
Practicing within the prestigious Swedish Medical Group network at the First Hill campus, Susannah Hanson combines the holistic, physiological approach of midwifery with the advanced clinical diagnostic and prescriptive authority of an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP). This comprehensive guide outlines her clinical specialties, practice philosophy, facility affiliations, insurance compatibility, and steps to establish care in 2026.
Clinical Philosophy and the Midwifery Model of Care
Susannah Hanson operates under the core tenets of the Midwifery Model of Care, which views pregnancy and birth as normal, healthy life processes rather than pathological events requiring routine intervention. However, as an ARNP, her practice is backed by rigorous clinical training, allowing her to seamlessly blend low-intervention supportive care with evidence-based medical therapies when necessary.
Evidence-Based, Low-Intervention Birth Support
For low-risk pregnancies, Susannah Hanson prioritizes supporting the natural, physiological process of labor. This includes encouraging movement during labor, offering hydrotherapy options, and facilitating diverse birthing positions. Her care approach aims to minimize unnecessary medical interventions—such as routine labor induction or continuous electronic fetal monitoring for low-risk patients—while maintaining strict safety parameters.
Personalized and Shared Decision-Making
A cornerstone of her practice is shared decision-making. In 2026, modern obstetric care recognizes that clinical outcomes improve when patients are active participants in their care plans. During prenatal visits, Hanson ensures patients are thoroughly educated on their clinical options, including:
- Pain management strategies, ranging from non-pharmacological techniques (such as sterile water injections, nitrous oxide, and labor tubs) to epidural anesthesia.
- Genetic screening options and prenatal diagnostics.
- Routine labor management and postpartum recovery expectations.
Full-Scope Gynecological and Wellness Services
Midwifery care is not limited to pregnancy. As a full-scope CNM and ARNP, Susannah Hanson provides comprehensive well-woman and gynecological care across the lifespan. Her clinical services include:
- Annual preventive wellness exams and cervical cancer screenings (Pap smears and HPV co-testing).
- Family planning, preconception counseling, and contraceptive management, including the insertion and removal of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) such as IUDs and subdermal implants.
- Evaluation and management of common gynecological concerns, including abnormal uterine bleeding, vaginitis, and pelvic pain.
- Menopause transition support and holistic wellness counseling.
The Swedish First Hill Clinical Advantage
Susannah Hanson is clinically affiliated with Swedish Midwifery - First Hill, located in the heart of Seattle's medical district. Giving birth or receiving care within the Swedish health system provides patients with a unique safety net that combines comfort with state-of-the-art medical backup.
State-of-the-Art Labor and Delivery Facilities
Swedish Medical Center - First Hill features specialized LDR (Labor, Delivery, and Recovery) suites designed to accommodate the midwifery philosophy. These suites are equipped with labor balls, squatting bars, and deep soaking tubs for hydrotherapy, facilitating a relaxed, home-like birth environment within the safety of a major acute-care hospital.
The Collaborative Care Matrix
A critical element of Hanson’s practice is her integration into a highly structured collaborative care team. While certified nurse-midwives independently manage low-to-moderate-risk pregnancies, clinical scenarios can evolve. At Swedish First Hill, if a patient develops high-risk complications—such as severe preeclampsia, gestational diabetes requiring insulin, or fetal growth restriction—Hanson works in close consultation with on-site OB/GYN physicians, perinatologists (maternal-fetal medicine specialists), and neonatal specialists.
This immediate, multidisciplinary backup ensures a seamless transition of care or co-management without requiring the patient to change clinics or facilities. Furthermore, should an emergency cesarean section become clinically necessary, Swedish First Hill operates dedicated obstetric surgical suites staffed 24/7 by board-certified obstetricians and anesthesiologists, maintaining a gold standard of safety.
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2026 Insurance Compatibility and Practice Network
To ensure seamless administrative coordination and avoid unexpected out-of-pocket expenses, patients must verify insurance network relationships. Swedish Medical Group is an affiliate of Providence Health & Services. Consequently, Susannah Hanson's practice accepts a wide range of commercial, employer-sponsored, and public health plans in 2026.
The following table details the verified contractual network status for her practice:
| Insurance Carrier | Plan/Product Type | 2026 Contracted Status | Referral / PCP Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premera Blue Cross | Heritage, Lifewise, Global | In-Network | Direct access; no specialist referral required for OB/GYN care. |
| Regence BlueShield | Preferred, RealValue, Select | In-Network | Direct access for standard prenatal and preventive services. |
| Kaiser Permanente WA | HMO, POS, Options | In-Network (Select Tiers) | HMO plans require prior authorization or selection of a Swedish provider. |
| Aetna | Choice POS II, Select, Open Access | In-Network | No referral required for routine prenatal or GYN care. |
| UnitedHealthcare | Choice, Select Plus, PPO | In-Network | Direct access for routine well-woman and obstetrical visits. |
| Cigna | Open Access Plus, PPO | In-Network | Direct access; verify specific employer-tiered networks. |
| Washington Apple Health | Molina, Community Health Plan (CHPW) | In-Network | Medicaid managed care plans accepted; select managed plans require PCP alignment. |
| Original Medicare | Part B (Preventive GYN Services) | In-Network | Accepted for age/disability-eligible preventative care; does not cover routine pregnancy. |
Note: While Swedish Medical Group strives to maintain comprehensive coverage across all plans, patients are strongly encouraged to contact their insurance member services department prior to their first visit to confirm their specific benefit structure, deductible status, and co-insurance responsibilities for outpatient midwifery and inpatient hospital delivery services.
Comparative Analysis: Midwifery vs. Traditional Obstetric Care
Understanding the differences between a Certified Nurse-Midwife and a conventional OB/GYN physician can help patients select the clinical pathway that best aligns with their goals.
The Midwifery Approach (CNM / ARNP)
Midwives specialize in the physiological, low-intervention management of normal, healthy pregnancies and births. They place a heavy emphasis on prenatal education, continuous labor support, emotional well-being, and non-pharmacological comfort measures. Their appointment slots often allow more time for holistic discussion, lifestyle counseling, and birth preparation.
The Obstetrician Approach (MD / DO)
Obstetricians are medical doctors trained extensively in surgical and medical management of pregnancy complications, high-risk conditions, and surgical births (such as cesarean sections or operative vaginal deliveries). Their training is optimized for managing pathology, high-risk interventions, and acute complications.
By choosing Susannah Hanson at Swedish, patients often experience the best of both worlds. They receive the individualized, high-touch advocacy of a midwife during their prenatal visits and labor, supported by the immediate, on-site availability of advanced obstetric and neonatal medicine if high-risk complications arise.
How to Establish Care and Prepare for Your Appointment
Transitioning care or establishing a new relationship with Susannah Hanson, CNM, ARNP, involves a structured intake process to ensure all medical histories are properly cataloged.
Step 1: Schedule the Intake
Patients can contact the Swedish Midwifery - First Hill clinic directly via the Swedish patient portal or by telephone. For obstetric patients, establishing care between 8 and 10 weeks of gestation is recommended to facilitate early screening and dating ultrasounds.
Step 2: Request Medical Records
If transferring care from another clinic or hospital system, patients must sign a Release of Information (ROI) form to transfer obstetric charts, previous ultrasound scans, laboratory panel results, and past pap smear history. Having these documents on hand during the initial appointment avoids redundant testing.
Step 3: Prepare Your Documentation
For the initial appointment, ensure you bring:
- A valid, government-issued photo identification.
- Your current 2026 health insurance card.
- A complete list of all active medications, over-the-counter supplements, and dosages.
- Your birth plan preferences or questions regarding gynecological symptoms, contraceptive needs, or prenatal care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Susannah Hanson, CNM, ARNP located?
Susannah Hanson practices at the Swedish Midwifery - First Hill clinic, situated at 1101 Madison St, Suite 700, Seattle, WA 98104. Her hospital deliveries are performed nearby at Swedish Medical Center - First Hill.
What insurance plans does Susannah Hanson accept in 2026?
Hanson is in-network with most major commercial carriers in Washington, including Premera Blue Cross, Regence BlueShield, Aetna, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare. She also accepts managed Medicaid plans under Washington Apple Health, though specific HMO-style plans may require a primary care PCP designation.
Does Susannah Hanson attend home births?
No, Susannah Hanson is a hospital-based midwife. She attends births exclusively in the highly controlled, supportive labor and delivery environment of Swedish Medical Center - First Hill, ensuring that immediate medical, anesthesia, and neonatal intervention is available if emergency situations manifest.
Can Susannah Hanson prescribe medications and perform procedures?
Yes. As an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) with prescriptive authority in the State of Washington, Susannah Hanson can independently prescribe prenatal vitamins, labor-management drugs, therapeutic medications, and all forms of contraception. She is also fully credentialed to perform clinical procedures such as IUD insertions, Nexplanon placements, and cervical biopsies.
What is the collaborative care model at Swedish First Hill?
The collaborative care model ensures that if a low-risk pregnancy managed by a midwife develops high-risk complications, the care is co-managed with or transferred to Swedish’s board-certified OB/GYNs or maternal-fetal medicine specialists. This occurs seamlessly within the same hospital system.
Securing Your Women’s Health Partner in Seattle
Your healthcare journey deserves a provider who blends clinical excellence with a compassionate, supportive, and patient-centered philosophy. Susannah Hanson, CNM, ARNP, delivers this precise balance to women and pregnant individuals across the Seattle metropolitan area. Whether you are seeking holistic, physiological birth support at Swedish First Hill or comprehensive, evidence-based gynecological wellness care, establishing a relationship with a certified nurse-midwife ensures you remain active, informed, and empowered in your healthcare decisions.
Contact Swedish Midwifery - First Hill today to check appointment availability and take the first step toward a personalized, high-quality healthcare partnership.
