Midwives

Midwife-attended births have doubled in the United States since 1990, and the numbers continue to rise every year. In fact, the demand for them is beginning to far outweigh their availability. We are proud that our staff of these professional caregivers is among the very best, and prouder still that they manage to find the time in their busy schedules to help ensure that their numbers continue to grow by mentoring, educating and indoctrinating future midwives to fill the fast growing gap of need.

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What Exactly Do Midwives Do?

Our midwives have accumulated years of learning, experience and training in women’s health in order to receive their certification. As a certified nurse midwife (CNM), they hold the highest degree possible in their field. Their primary focus, however, is on providing care to women and their families during their pregnancy, delivery, and the following postpartum period. They are also qualified to:

Provide prenatal care
Dispense medication
Recognize any potential problems that may arise during pregnancy or delivery
Conduct annual women’s examinations
Administer birth control
Give pre-pregnancy counseling
Diagnose infections
Provide postnatal care to mothers and newborns
Advise on nutrition and diet
Arrange for all routine prenatal testing
Make limited medical decisions within their scope of training and expertise
Deliver routine pregnancy babies
Prepare women for delivery with relaxation and breathing techniques
Discuss breastfeeding and its options
Provide parenting education.

Why Would I Choose a Midwife?

Many women prefer to opt for natural childbirth in a more subdued, comfortable setting. Midwives approach childbirth as a holistic, rather than medicinal, experience. They concentrate on alternative drug-free methods to bring your child into the world, such as breathing and relaxation techniques, massage, comfortable positioning, and advice to help you cope with contractions as they become more intense.

Although our midwives encourage non-anesthesia delivery, you will not be refused medication if you should happen to change your mind during labor. In fact, if your midwife recognizes that you are in too much painful distress, she will urge you to accept relief so that the birthing process does not become a traumatic memory.

Our midwives also develop a more intimate bond with their patients, something physicians and surgeons are not always able to provide due to time constraints. Though all our doctors strive to answer all your questions and concerns, taking whatever time is necessary to put your mind at rest during your prenatal appointments, midwives offer more availability. Since they usually have less patients at one time than an OB/GYN, this allows them to concentrate more fully on each individual pregnancy.

By questioning and getting to know you better, our midwives will learn exactly what your preferences are during your natural birth process and will do their best to accommodate those wishes.

I’ve Already Had a Caesarean but Would Really Like to Give Birth Naturally This Time. Can I Still Ask for a Midwife or a Natural Birth?

In many cases, absolutely! You’ll have to be evaluated by one of our OB/GYNs to make sure there is no risk to you or your child, of course. Your health and safety, along with your baby’s, are our primary concern at all times, but once we’re confident that a natural vaginal birth is possible, one of our staff nurse-midwives can take over your prenatal care, and often your labor and delivery.

Should any problems arise at any given time, our midwives are trained to immediately notify a physician for help and support.

Midwives are our respected colleagues, and we rely heavily on their knowledge and sound medical training to alert us to step in at any time we are needed to assist if they encounter a problem outside their scope of expertise.

Childbirth is one of the most memorable experiences in a woman’s life. A midwife is proficient in extracting the inner strength and determination you may not even be aware you have to give birth naturally and still revel in the whole process.

For more information on midwifery, visit Northside Hospital Cherokee. To make an appointment with us, call us at 770.720.7733.