Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM) realize your overall wellbeing is important and want to provide personalized holistic care with shared decision-making when your health concerns arise. They assist patients through pregnancy and birth, and provide well-woman and gynecological care from onset of your first period to menopause.
We want to build a strong relationship with you and your family and provide evidence-based care with a focus on your unique needs. By providing the information, education and support needed, we can help you and your family make the best decisions regarding your health, pregnancy, labor and birth.
Midwives work in both clinic and hospital settings.
Pregnancy Care
Whether you’re pregnant, trying or thinking about it, this is an exciting time in your life. Giving birth is a natural part of life and we want your birth story to be memorable and the story you want it to be. We are also aware that it can be a complex and challenging time and that complications can arise.
Our Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM) encourage a holistic childbirth experience, letting the miracle of birth unfold through empowerment, attentive waiting, natural alternatives and low intervention.
If your goal is a birth with minimal intervention, while having the resources of a hospital or doctor close by if needed, we’ve got you covered.
Why choose a Midwife?
The benefits of choosing a midwife for your pregnancy include:
- A personalized, holistic approach to care
- A more relaxed approach to pregnancy and childbirth than standard care
- More one-on-one support during your labor and delivery
- Longer appointment times
- On-call should questions or concerns arise
- Offer Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBACs)
- Expertise in medication-free labor support tools
- Access to a variety of pain medication options in labor if desired
- Water birth
- Low cesarean (c-section) and induction rates
- Co-management or consutation with doctor when necessary
During pregnancy care and childbirth, your midwife will:
- Support your birthing choices
- Provide low intervention, holistic care
- Empower you to make the choices you want for your birth
- Provide education, support and resources
- Offer natural alternatives for pain management
- Labor in shower or tub, massage, aromatherapy, birthing balls, intermittent monitoring, different labor positions
- Support your decisions regarding medication in labor
- Welcome the use of doulas for labor support
Team Approach
Our entire team of midwives, doctors and advance practice providers work closely to provide you with the best care possible. Midwives work collaboratively with OBGYN doctors as needed for any complications that may arise during pregnancy or labor.
Midwives can manage basic obstetrical emergencies but call for help in situations that require advanced training and surgery, such as D & Cs, cesarean sections, and repairs of 3rd & 4th degree lacerations.
The whole team's goal is to provide you with the best care throughout your pregnancy and delivery.
Well Woman Care
Midwives provide well woman care and are licensed to take care of women from adolescence through menopause. They are committed to building a strong relationship with you throughout your life.
Your well woman appointments are the perfect time to take an inventory of your health and wellness and bring up any problems you might be experiencing. During your appointment, they will check in with you on a number of different areas of your life, and get to know your individual needs and concerns.
Well Woman Care Services
- Offer routine gynecological care
- Provide annual well woman exams, including pap smears
- Provide family planning options and preconception counseling
- Discuss pregnancy options
- Handle:
- Vaginal, bladder and urinary tract problems
- Sexually-transmitted infectons
- Breast concerns
- Provide postpartum and mood disorder care
- Conduct minimally-invasive, simple procedures
- Discuss and initiate a variety of birth control options including but not limited to Oral Contraceptives, Nexplanon, IUDs, and Caya Diaphragm
Patient Testimonials
“I trust them so much with my care. They’re so caring and calming. I knew that if something went off my plan, I could trust them to know what to do, and to know what I want. They’ll apply interventions as needed when you want, and also let the natural process happen at the same time, as much as possible.”
- Kate McGrogan
Patient Stories
Midwife Frequently Asked Questions
What is a certified nurse midwife?
Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM) complete a four-year nursing degree followed by a Master's or doctoral degree in midwifery. Then they complete two to three years of advanced training in midwifery care. After graduation, they must pass a national certification exam to be certified by the American College of Nurse-Midwives and begin practice as a CNM. They stay up-to-date on the latest advances to provide the best possible care. Many Certified Nurse Midwives started to their careers as labor and delivery, postpartum or nursery nurses before becoming a midwife.
Besides pregnancy care, midwives provide well woman care including routine gynecologic care for low-risk women.
They work in a clinic and hospital setting.
What is the midwife philosophy?
Midwives believe that pregnancy and birth are normal processes in a woman’s life. Our nurse midwives provide the information, education and support needed to empower women to make the best decisions regarding their health, pregnancy, labor and birth. They will work with you on wellness, nutrition, and healthy lifestyle, all while supporting your emotional and physical well-being.
Their goal is to educate and assist you in making decisions best for you and your family. They believe in evidence-based care, high touch and low intervention, and that not all modern interventions are necessary.
How does a nurse midwife differ from traditional birth experience?
A nurse midwife will:
- have longer appointment times to get to know you and your wishes
- provide patient and family-centered care
- educate and empower you to make choices
- participate in your labor experience
- offer you natural comfort measures during labor
- guide you on optimal positions during the birthing process
- respect your delivery wishes
- collaborate with our team of OB/Gyn doctors if complications occur
Can I get pain medication if needed?
Yes, you will have access to a variety of pain management and medication options including IV, nitrous oxide, and epidurals.
What if I need a doctor?
The midwives work collaboratively with OBGYN doctors as needed for any complications that may arise during pregnancy or labor to ensure optimum care for women and their babies. Midwives can manage basic obstetrical emergencies, but call for help in situations that require advanced training and surgery, such as D & Cs, cesarean sections, and repairs of 3rd & 4th degree lacerations.
In addition, we have advanced practice providers, a maternal fetal medicine specialist for high-risk pregnancies, nutritionists and radiologists who can all help if a pregnancy becomes high-risk. The care amongst the team is seamless, and provides women with a full spectrum of care.
What is the best way to communicate with my provider?
The best way to reach your provider is by email through MyHealth Info. Log in or sign up for MyHealth Info. Learn more about MyHealth Info.
Do the midwives offer home deliveries?
No. All of our deliveries take place in a hospital setting.
What is a doula? Can I have a doula in my delivery?
A doula is a non-medical, trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to their client before, during and shortly after childbirth.
A doula is not a member of the Northfield Hospital + Clinic’s health care team. They are allowed in deliveries. If you have a c-section, you are allowed one person in the operating room so your doula may not be able to attend.
NH+C does not provide doulas. Using a doula is a personal choice and the doula is hired by and paid for by you.
Midwife Services We Offer
- Annual well-woman exams, including pap smears
- Postpartum / After birth counseling
- Routine gynecology care
- Birth control and family planning including Nexplanon and IUD
- Pregnancy care
- Water birth
- Breastfeeding / Lactation support
- Preconception counseling
Our Team of Doctors and Providers
Service Locations
Farmington Clinic
Lakeville Clinic
Women’s Health Center