Certified Nurse Midwives
Both locally and nationwide, more women are choosing to use a midwife for their reproductive healthcare, rather than a traditional obstetrician-gynecologist. Northwest Health - La Porte saw this emerging trend and began a progressive midwifery program in 2012.
Women who use midwives are shown to have a lower rate of cesarean section births and fewer low-birth weight babies. Midwives offer a holistic approach, focused on mind and body, empowering women to make their own decisions. Nationwide, approximately 32 percent of all births are by cesarean section, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. However, the C-section rate at Northwest Health - La Porte is below 20%, and even lower for births using their certified nurse midwives.
Similarities to Physicians
Certified nurse midwives and physicians are very similar in many ways. At Northwest Health - La Porte, both OB/GYNs and midwives work out of the same offices and are skilled at prenatal care and delivery. Like obstetricians, certified nurse midwives at Northwest Health - La Porte may prescribe pain medications to patients who want it, and they deliver babies in the hospital, not in a home setting. Midwives are also often covered by insurance in the same way that physicians are.
Certified nurse midwives typically have graduate degrees in midwifery, and many began their careers as traditional labor nurses before going on to become midwives.
Differences from Physicians
When it comes to delivery, midwives typically support a birth with fewer interventions. They’re often less likely to induce labor or artificially rupture water, preferring to have patients up and moving rather than on a fetal monitor. Midwives usually like to encourage gravity to aid labor as well as assist with alternate labor positions and the use of the inflated ball or water therapy during labor.
Midwives can also provide pain relief. Approximately 30 percent of midwife patients at Northwest Health - La Porte choose to deliver completely naturally without pain relief. If a patient needs medical intervention, including a C-section, physicians are available as part of the team.
Beyond Babies
Certified nurse midwives provide care beyond the birthing of babies. In fact, they can provide care from a woman’s first period through post-menopause, including annual exams, family planning, IUD insertion, treatment for sexually-transmitted disease, lactation counseling and general health care.
Who is a Candidate for Using a Midwife?
Patients interested in exploring a more natural approach may be interested in using a midwife. To use a midwife, patients are typically considered low risk – free from diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension or other complications. Physicians are always available should the need arise.
Whether you’re interested in touring our labor and delivery area, attending a childbirth class or connecting with a midwife or physician, call on Northwest Health - La Porte’s Birthing and Family Care Center at (219) 344-6341.