Why Would I Choose a Midwife for Care During My Pregnancy?
CNMs (Certified Nurse Midwives) believe you need time and special attention so you can be healthy and able to take care of yourself and your baby. Midwives specialize in providing support, regular health care, and in helping you get any additional care needed. Midwives are experts in knowing the difference between normal changes that occur during pregnancy and symptoms that require extra attention.

What are the Credentials of a Certified Nurse Midwife?
Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) are licensed health care providers educated in nursing and midwifery. Most CNMs have a Master's Degree; they have passed a national examination (see ACNM.org); and they have a license to practice midwifery from the state they live in. Most of the midwives in the United States are CNMs.

What Do Midwives Do?
CNMs help over 300,000 women give birth each year in the United States. Most of these births are in hospitals. CNMs also care for women who decide to have their baby in freestanding birth centers. Only about 1-2% of CNMs provide homebirth services.  CNMs provide health care to women all through life, including: prenatal care, birth, care after birth, annual exams, birth control planning, menopause, and health counseling.

What if I Have a "High-Risk" Pregnancy or Complication During Labor?
Your CNM will prescribe medicine and order treatment for any common illness that you might get during pregnancy. Midwives work with doctors who specialize in illness during pregnancy. If you have a medical problem during pregnancy or complication during labor, your midwife will work with the doctors in our practice to make sure you get the best and safest care for you and your baby. Your midwife will also work with other health care providers: nurses, social workers, nutritionists, doulas, childbirth educators, physical therapists, and other specialists to help you get the care you need

What if I Want Pain Medicine During Labor?
If you think you want pain medicine during labor, your midwife will give you information about the medicines available so you can decide what is right for you. Midwife means "with woman." We provide information and partner with you so you can make the best choices for yourself and your baby.  If you decide you want pain medicine during labor, your midwife can prescribe it for you.

Should I See a Midwife if I am Not Pregnant?
Many women go to their CNM for annual check ups, family planning, and to get care for common infections that happen to women. For example, your midwife can answer questions about all the methods of birth control, help you decide what is best and safest for you, and prescribe it for you.

Questions to Ask Any Health Care Provider

- Do you practice alone or with others? Do they share your beliefs and manner of practice?
- Who attends births for you when you are away? How can I reach you?
- What kind of childbirth preparation do you recommend?
- Do you provide labor support and stay with women throughout labor?
- How do you feel about doulas or family and friends being with me during labor?
- Do you allow moving around and eating or drinking during labor?
- Can I hold my baby right after birth, breastfeed, and not be separated?
- When do you recommend IVs, fetal heart rate monitoring, pitocin, or episiotomy?
- Do you care for women who want a vaginal birth after a previous C-section?