MIDWIFERY

MIDWIFERY

Nurse midwives are advanced-practice providers with specialized training, education, and certification in women’s health. They are an integral part of the Obstetrics and Gynecology team.

Nurse midwives care for women from early adolescence through the onset of menopause, including prenatal care. They are qualified to prescribe and administer medications as independent, licensed practitioners. Midwifery care focuses on providing holistic, evidence-based medicine and encouraging women to make informed decisions about their health care.

Our midwife sees patients in all three of our clinics:  Richland Hospital Clinic, Spring Green Medical Center, and Muscoda Health Center. Just call 608.647.6321 to schedule or get more information.

FIND A PROVIDER

Why choose a midwife?
  • 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.
What is midwifery?

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.
What services can a midwife provide?

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
What if I have some health problems but really want to birth with a midwife?

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.

Will I see a doctor during my prenatal care or birth?

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.

Can a midwife help with lactation?

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.

How do I make an appointment?

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.

FIND CARE CLOSER TO HOME

The Richland Hospital & Clinics are committed to offering the highest level of care that's closer to home. Our dedicated medical teams utilize state-of-the-art technology and receive special training to provide expert care to the communities we serve.

We serve a vast area in and around Iowa, Sauk and Richland counties.