MIDWIFERY

• You have a low-risk pregnancy and want your childbirth to be as natural as possible, using as many “non-interventions” as possible. You would prefer to do without things such as an epidural, fetal monitoring, and labor induction, if possible – but knowing those are an option.
• You want a holistic approach that includes emotional, practical, and social support — from adolescence through pregnancy through the onset of menopause.

Certified Nurse-Midwives are health care providers who care for women throughout transitions of their lives. Our midwife will coordinate many types of visits, such as gynecological exams, well-women physicals, new baby checks (up to six weeks), OB visits, post-partum, women’s health urgencies, birth control, and breast exams.

There are two types of midwives:

• Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM), who offers hospital-based births. The Richland Hospital and Clinics offers this type of birth.
• Certified Professional Midwife (CPM), who offers home births. The Richland Hospital and Clinics currently does not have anyone who offers home births.

A midwife can offer these services:

• Primary care
• Prenatal/Postnatal care
• Manage low-risk pregnancies and births with a rounded emotional and practical approach
• Deliver your baby following your labor goals and birth plan
• Monitor your physical and psychological well-being
• Advise you about diet, exercise, medications, and staying healthy
• Educate and counsel you about newborn care, being able to see your baby for the first 28 days
• Breastfeeding support
• Make referrals to doctors when necessary
• Prescribe and administer medication if needed
• Provide family planning and preconception care (birth control & contraceptive options)
• Perform women’s health screenings such as annual paps and other exams
• Minor gynecological concerns (UTIs)
• STD testing and care
• Menopause concerns & management
• See women throughout their entire reproductive stage — from puberty to the onset of menopause – developing relationships with individuals and generations

Depending on your health problems and their impact on your pregnancy, our midwife may co-manage your care with another physician or give you a referral for continuation of care.

Our midwife works closely with her collaborative physician team. Many patients may not need to see a doctor throughout the pregnancy, unless the patient chooses to use a doctor for their twenty-week ultrasound, the provider is on vacation, or the patient develops complications.

YES! The Richland Hospital and Clinics is fortunate to have a midwife who also is a Certified Lactation Specialist. She can meet the wants and needs of both mothers and babies and understands that mothers may experience obstacles, concerns, and have questions when breastfeeding.

Our midwife can see patients at all three of our locations – Spring Green, Muscoda, and Richland Center – making for an easy commute during your pregnancy or simply for other women’s health appointments.

If you’d like to schedule an appointment, please call 608.647.6321.