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Today’s certified nurse-midwife, a professional health care provider, is a registered nurse (RN) who has graduated from one of the advanced education programs accredited by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM). Nurse midwives must pass a national certification examination and meet strict requirements set by state health agencies.
Nurse-midwives work in clinics, hospitals, birthing centers, private practices with physicians, and Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO’s) or
other types of managed health care plans.
Some assist women who wish to give birth at home. Nurse-midwives help women during labor and delivery and are trained and experienced in prenatal, postpartum, normal newborn care and in routine gynecological care.
Nurse-midwifery care focuses on maintaining health and encouraging women to make informed decisions about their health care. Nurse-widwives welcome your questions and take time to listen to you and talk with you. Studies show that women who are cared for by a nurse-midwife can expect the same level of safety as from a physician.
Nurse-midewives answer questions about maintianing a healthy lifestyle. They provide preconception counseling, family planning services, gynecological care, annual pelvic and breast examinations, Pap tests and screening and treatment for infections. They also care for older women and can provide hormone replacement therapy.
During pregnancy, the nurse-midwife monitors the health of you and your baby. During labor, the nurse-midwife evaluates your porgress and is there to offer emotional support. You can expect your nurse-midwife to listen to your needs and involve your family to the fullest extent possible.
Follow-up care begins immediately after birth, as the nurse mid-wife examines the newborn, provides advice on breastfeeding and infant care and ensures that the woman maintains her health after childbirth.
Nurse-midwifery care is covered by private insurance carriers, Medicare and many managed care programs. All nurse-midwives consult with physicians if there is a problem that may put a woman at risk.
For more information about careers in Nurse-Midwifery see www.acnm.org. |
