The practice of midwifery has existed almost as long as women have been giving birth. While midwives in the past learned their craft solely through apprenticeship and hands-on experience, today, certified nurse midwives (CNMs) receive a rigorous education in and out of the classroom.
In addition to acting as primary care providers for women’s gynecologic and maternity needs, according the American College of Nurse Midwives, most CNMs possess master’s degrees, can conduct clinical research, and in most states can administer medication and write prescriptions.
The unique birth experience and compassionate care midwives have provided throughout the ages are undoubtedly large factors in the growing demand for CNM-attended births, although some may be surprised to learn that 97 percent of these births actually take place in hospitals — not private homes or birthing centers. In fact, 25 to 30 percent of all births at Delaware County Memorial Hospital are midwife-attended, according to Becca Choitz, CNM, director of Midwifery Services for Crozer-Keystone Health System. Crozer-Keystone Health System honors all those in the midwifery community for their continued dedication during National Midwifery Week, October 1-7, 2006.
One of the goals that lies close to the hearts of all certified midwives and nurse-midwives is informing women on the health issues which affect them. When it comes to women’s health issues, the repsonsbility for education is shared between the patient and the caregiver, Choitz says.
“At the Midwives of Delaware County, we allow time for longer visits to address lifestyle issues that affect pregnancy — such as diet and exercise — and also things to avoid, like smoking. We are interested in how a woman’s life affects her pregnancy and the pregnancy affects her life. We spend time preparing women for birth, breastfeeding, and parenting, and we also welcome friends and family to participate in and learn about the birth experience,” she adds.
To a woman just beginning to create her ideal birth plan, the amount of choice in health care providers can be overwhelming. In general, midwives care for women who have uncomplicated, low-risk pregnancies from their first prenatal visit through delivery and postpartum.
“Midwives remain with women throughout labor to help make birth a safe and joyful experience. We feel very supported in the Crozer-Keystone Health System. The midwives have excellent relationships with all the OB/GYNs and specialists, allowing them to work seamlessly and collaboratively with them when medical intervention is necessary,” Choitz says.
While most pregnant women are confident in the abilities of their caregiver, they are many times not as confident in their own abilities to bring new life into the world.
“Studies have shown that fear actually increases the amount of pain a woman feels, which is another reason why education is so important. If a woman feels informed and prepared for labor, she is likely to be less afraid and feel more in control,” Choitz says. Choitz and her fellow CNMs motivate women to be active participants in their birth experience by helping them to make a birth plan, educating them on what effects labor pain will have on their bodies, and encouraging women to develop coping strategies that can include walking, taking a warm Jacuzzi bath, or pain medications to help alleviate some of their discomfort.
Many people assume that midwives discourage women from using pain medication or do not attend births where an epidural is administered, but Choitz says that “women should not feel like failures if they decide to use epidurals or other pain medications. I like to tell women that these are means to an end, not the end itself. An epidural is one of many tools women can use to get to the end result, which is an enjoyable birth experience and a healthy baby.”
Crozer-Keystone’s midwives are not only with women before, during, and after their birth experience, but they also provide family planning services, menopausal management, and confidential care — perfectly exemplifying the motto of the American College of Nurse Midwives: “With women, for a lifetime.”
For a referral to a Crozer-Keystone midwife, call 1-800-CK-HEALTH (1-800-254-3258).