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Questions for Your Midwife
When it comes to shopping for
women's health care, ask, ask, and ask again.
If this is your first pregnancy or first pelvic exam, you may be shy. Don't be. Ask your friends, their friends, your colleagues, relatives, and neighbors who they went to for care, what it was like, and what they thought.
Then follow your instincts. Every woman is different. You are the only one who can know what is best for you.
Common questions you might ask your midwife might include: What
is a midwife?
The word midwife has been used for centuries to describe a woman who is "with women" at birth. A midwife was traditionally an older female in the family or the community. Today, the word indicates a philosophy of care that focuses on the specific needs of women, offers a variety of options, and minimizes unnecessary intervention; and the individuals who hold that title are highly educated professionals who work collaboratively with physicians.
Why choose a certified nurse midwife?
The certified nurse-midwives at University of
Iowa Hospitals and Clinics offer a variety of quality health
care services for women of all ages—from adolescents,
women of childbearing age, and women during menopausal
years—providing
routine care as well as evaluation of gynecological problems.
Your certified nurse midwife will:
- Take your family and personal medical history
- Give you a thorough and gentle examination
- Provide birth control counseling
- Write prescriptions
- Provide follow-up examinations
Your certified nurse midwife may advise vitamins, calcium
supplements, or suggest diet, exercise, or lifestyle
changes. You will be encouraged to ask questions and
be given plenty of time for answers. They will teach
you how to maintain good health habits and self-care
practices that aid in disease prevention. Midwives can
prescribe medications including methods of contraception
and treatment for common infections.
Should you develop a medical condition that needs more
specialized treatment, you will be referred to an obstetrician/gynecologist,
or other specialist at UI Hospitals and Clinics as needed.
Years of experience and continued education enable a
certified nurse midwife to provide a compassionate approach
to all aspects of women's health care.
The Institute of Medicine has recommended "more
reliance be placed on certified nurse midwives" in
delivering primary health care. Nurse midwifery care
has been available at UI Hospitals and Clinics since
1993 and delivered over 1,500 babies. UI Hospitals and
Clinics has the only nurse midwife service in the Iowa
City/Cedar Rapids metropolitan area. All of our
births are attended at University of Iowa Hospitals and
Clinics.
How do I decide on midwifery care?
Certified nurse midwives care for essentially healthy women
without medical conditions that could complicate pregnancy.
They will discuss your concerns regarding specific medical
conditions and whether midwifery care is the right option
for you.
The certified nurse midwives at UI Hospitals and Clinics:
- Have master’s degrees
- Are certified by the American College of Nurse Midwives
- Are licensed by the state of Iowa
To learn more about certified nurse midwives, please
visit:
What is your rate of cesarean section? Episiotomy?
All of the certified nurse midwives and physicians
at UI Hospitals and Clinics are committed to keeping the
rates of cesarean sections and forceps/vacuum deliveries
low. The nurse midwives use noninterventive approaches
such as positioning, birth balls, and hydrotherapy (using
large whirlpool tubs) to manage the discomforts while minimizing
the possible risks of some other interventions.
We encourage women to choose the most comfortable position for their birth. While we fully support unmedicated birth, we recognize some women will want epidurals and they are available 24/7. Our episiotomy rate is less than 5 percent and our cesarean section rate is 15 percent (including the scheduled repeat cesarean sections). Our vacuum assisted and forceps delivery rate is less than 5 percent.
Do you require or recommend prenatal testing and sonograms?
All testing is available and we provide thorough counseling. However, we recognize that these are very personal decisions and we encourage families to make the decision that feels best for them.
What role will my birth partner play?
Having supportive people present is extremely
important throughout the pregnancy and delivery. We encourage
women to bring partners, family members, and/or their other
children to prenatal visits. While we have no restrictions
on the number of support people who are with you for your
labor and birth, we would encourage you to surround yourself
with those persons who will provide you with support and
comfort. It is possible to have siblings attend the birth
as well, and we will work with families individually to
make these plans.
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