It’s your pregnancy, and Acacia OB/GYN wants every woman to have options when it comes to their care during pregnancy and delivery. That’s why we’re proud to have certified nurse midwives as a key part of our team.

Our midwife can offer a unique perspective in providing outstanding care – physically, emotionally and spiritually – throughout a pregnancy journey and after delivery for women who desire it. Our midwife offers consultation for the duration of a pregnancy, and is there to coach women and, if a woman chooses and it’s medically appropriate, deliver the baby when the time comes.

Overseen by the advanced capabilities and skill of the obstetricians at Acacia OB/GYN, midwife care is typically most appropriate for women with low risk pregnancies who desire a natural and holistic birthing experience.

Additionally, our midwives can offer routine gynecological care outside of pregnancy, while being backed by the expertise of an Acacia gynecologist to help address any complicated issue.

What is a midwife?

A midwife is a health care professional who provides an array of health care services for women including gynecological examinations, contraceptive counseling, prescriptions, and labor and delivery care. Providing expert care during labor and delivery, and after birth is a specialty that makes midwives unique.

What services do midwives provide?

The services of a midwife depend on the certification and licensing credentials obtained and the practice restrictions of each state. Because of the additional licensure in nursing, a nurse-midwife can offer the most comprehensive array of health care services to women. These services include annual gynecological exams, family planning and preconception care, prenatal care, labor and delivery support, newborn care, and menopausal management. Midwives generally provide reproductive education in fertility, nutrition, exercise, contraception, pregnancy health, breastfeeding, and quality infant care.

What are the different types of midwives?

Midwives are qualified health care providers who receive comprehensive training and must pass an examination to become certified. Certification is offered by the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) and the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM). The practice and credentials related to midwifery differ throughout the United States.

Below is a brief description of each of type of midwife:

• Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM): a midwife trained and licensed in nursing and midwifery. Nurse-midwives must have at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. They are also certified by the American College of Nurse Midwives.
• Certified Midwife (CM): an individual trained and certified in midwifery. Certified midwives must have at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. They are also certified by the American College of Nurse Midwives.
• Certified Professional Midwife (CPM): an individual who is trained in midwifery and meets standards of the North American Registry of Midwives. Multiple educational backgrounds are recognized to become a CPM.
• Direct-Entry Midwife (DEM): an independent individual trained in midwifery through various sources that may include apprenticeship, self-study, a midwifery school, or a college/university program.
• Lay Midwife: an individual who is not certified or licensed as a midwife but has received informal training through self-study or apprenticeship.

Where do midwives practice?

Midwives believe in facilitating a natural childbirth as much as possible. Accordingly, it is common to receive care from a midwife in a private and comfortable birthing center or in your own home. Because of their professionalism and expertise, midwives are often part of a labor and delivery team associated with a local hospital.