University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics has a relatively new Labor and Delivery Unit. Laura Dellos, ARNP, CNM, MSN, certified nurse midwife with the UI Maternity Center at UI Hospitals and Clinics, talks about the center and the role of a nurse midwife:
During pregnancy, what role does a midwife play at UI Hospitals and Clinics?
We have three nurse midwives here at the UI Maternity Center. What this means is that a woman can see us for all of her prenatal care and one of the three of us will be on call to attend the birth. We schedule longer appointment times for prenatal visits and provide extensive education and support, and we also participate in the educational process for medical students and nursing students.
And when the woman goes into labor, what is your role?
One of the hallmarks of providing midwifery care is providing hands-on support for the birth process. Some women seek our services strongly hope to avoid medication and anesthesia in the birth process, and we know that having a supportive person there can reduce her chances of needing those things and result in a better outcome.
On the other hand, some women come to us knowing that they'd like to have a labor epidural, for example, for pain relief, and that doesn't exclude them from our care. The word midwife literally means 'with woman,' and our role is to listen to each woman and work with her to have the best experience possible, along with the ultimate goal of a healthy mom and baby, of course.
How much or how little can the partner or children be involved with the birth?
Each woman has unique support needs. We strongly encourage her to surround herself with people who will help her through the experience. For some women, this is just the partner and the midwife; for others it may include a sister, a mother, a friend, in addition to others. Children are welcome to participate and we gauge that individually based on the age and feelings of the child.
If, in the process of labor, something deviates from what is considered normal, what happens?
We're very fortunate to always have our physician consultants readily available to us. Because we have obstetricians, anesthesiologists, and neonatal practitioners available 24 hours a day, when I go into that birth room and close the door, I know anyone I need to help is right outside and I can really focus caring for that mom and the family.
Currently is UI Hospitals and Clinics the only area hospital to offer midwives as an option for women?
We're the only hospital to offer these services in the Iowa City area, which includes Cedar Rapids. Women do travel a distance to receive midwifery services here.
Tell us a little about the UI Maternity Center. How many labor and delivery rooms?
Well the UI Maternity Center was remodeled several years ago. We have 12 beds, eight of them are birthing suites, complete with whirlpool tubs. We have 20 post partum rooms and each has custom queen-size memory foam beds, and that is really a unique feature, whirlpool tubs, ala carte menus for meals, they have VCRs, CD players, pull-out couches, Internet access, refrigerators. We really tried to make it a very comfortable, family-friendly place.
Sometimes are there are no signs during pregnancy, but the baby may still need special attention? How important is it to consider delivering in a facility with a neonatal intensive care unit?
We have the top neonatal intensive care unit in Iowa with the physicians and neonatal practitioners available 24/7. Many hospitals offer neonatal care or neonatal units, but might not be staffed around the clock with a physician or nurse practitioner. This I see as a real plus for the UI Hospitals and Clinics.
In an average year, how many babies are born at UI Hospitals and Clinics?
We have around 1,750 new Iowans born each year. |
