Gary A. Brunvoll, DO in Chattanooga: OB-GYN with Midwifery Integration

Gary A. Brunvoll, DO is an obstetrician-gynecologist in Chattanooga who integrates certified nurse-midwives into his practice, offering both surgical obstetric care and vaginal delivery support in a single clinic setting. This dual-model approach is uncommon enough in the Chattanooga market that it directly shapes which patients suit his practice and which do not.

What Brunvoll's practice actually is

Brunvoll holds a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree and is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology. His practice operates as a full-service OB-GYN clinic, meaning it handles pregnancy care from initial consultation through delivery, gynecological surgery, contraception management, and routine women's health. The presence of midwives on staff means some patients deliver vaginally under midwife-led care within the same facility, while others receive physician-directed surgical deliveries (cesarean sections, instrumental deliveries). This structure differs materially from many Chattanooga OB-GYN practices that focus primarily on one model or refer vaginal deliveries to hospital-based midwifery programs.

Pregnancy care pathway and delivery options

Brunvoll's practice manages uncomplicated pregnancies through regular office visits, with delivery occurring at a hospital labor and delivery unit. Patients choosing midwife-led care follow a different visit schedule and philosophy than those under direct physician management, though both remain within the same practice. For patients with pregnancy complications, previous cesareans, or a strong preference for physician management throughout labor and delivery, Brunvoll provides that continuity as well.

First obstetric visits typically occur around 8 to 12 weeks of pregnancy and include standard screening and dating. Pricing for routine prenatal visits is covered by most major insurance plans; confirm your specific deductible and copay structure with your insurer, as these vary widely. Delivery costs depend on whether the birth is vaginal or surgical and your insurance plan's obstetric benefits; ask the practice for an estimate after your initial ultrasound confirms viability.

Gynecological services and routine care

Beyond obstetrics, the practice provides routine gynecology, including annual exams, contraception counseling and insertion (IUDs, implants, oral contraceptives), cervical cancer screening, and management of common conditions like abnormal bleeding or fibroids. Minor gynecological procedures (colposcopy, endometrial biopsy) are performed in-office; more complex surgical cases are referred to the appropriate hospital setting.

Pricing for routine gynecology visits runs similar to most Chattanooga OB-GYN offices, typically $150 to $250 for an uninsured patient or $30 to $50 copay under insurance. IUD insertion costs range from $300 to $600 out-of-pocket without insurance, though most commercial insurance covers this in full or with modest patient responsibility.

How Brunvoll compares to other Chattanooga OB-GYN options

Chattanooga's obstetric care splits roughly between hospital-employed physicians (Erlanger and Parkridge Health System practices), independent practices like Brunvoll's, and midwifery-focused clinics. A key distinction is breadth: many hospital-based OB-GYN offices focus on high-risk and surgical cases, referring straightforward pregnancies to hospital midwifery programs. Brunvoll's model keeps both populations within one practice, which may appeal to patients who prefer continuity with the same provider team regardless of risk level.

For patients specifically wanting midwife-led birth in Chattanooga, options include Brunvoll's midwives, Erlanger's hospital-based midwifery program (which has separate midwife practices but limited continuity across pregnancy and birth), and independent midwife practices offering home birth. Patients seeking a physician throughout pregnancy and labor typically choose a private OB-GYN like Brunvoll or a hospital-employed physician.

Insurance networks differ significantly across Chattanooga OB-GYN practices. Confirm Brunvoll's participation in your specific plan before booking; some private practices participate narrowly, while hospital systems cast wider nets.

Who this practice suits and who it does not

Brunvoll's practice suits uncomplicated pregnancies where the patient is open to either physician or midwife care, or where continuity across both models matters. It also works well for patients seeking routine gynecology with OB-GYN expertise in one location. Patients with high-risk pregnancies (gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, previous complications) or those who require a maternal-fetal medicine subspecialist should verify that Brunvoll's practice includes appropriate backup or referral relationships for those cases. Patients with very limited insurance coverage or no insurance should ask about payment plans or sliding-scale options upfront.

What the first visit involves

For gynecology, the first visit includes a standard health history, physical exam, and cervical cancer screening (if age-appropriate). For obstetrics, the first prenatal visit is longer, typically 45 minutes to an hour, and includes detailed history, ultrasound dating, and baseline lab work (blood type, anemia screening, infectious disease screening).

Hours, location, and logistics

Brunvoll's practice location and hours are subject to change; verify current information directly with the office before scheduling. Most OB-GYN practices in Chattanooga accommodate same-day urgent visits for pregnancy complications, so confirm the after-hours protocol when you call to book.

Brunvoll's integration of midwifery into an independent OB-GYN practice is practical for Chattanooga patients who want flexibility in how their care is managed without switching providers or facilities.