Midwifery: The Personal Approach to Pregnancy and Beyond
If you’re looking for a more personalized, less routine approach to pregnancy and birth, midwifery services may provide just the solution. Certified nurse midwives (CNMs) are gaining popularity as the caregivers of choice for women who want input into their own birthing experience.
Myths About Midwives: They Do More Than Just Deliver Babies!
Midwives have come a long way from the “at-home” deliveries that many people associate them with.
The fact is, midwives are highly skilled and offer women a unique healthcare experience that is more personal than other options available to them.
More women are turning to certified nurse midwives for their labor and gynecological care and here are a few reasons why:
• Midwives undergo rigorous training and are licensed healthcare practitioners educated in both nursing and midwifery
• They are certified by the American College of Nurse-Midwives and meet strict national standards for healthcare
• They provide personalized care for women of childbearing age through menopause, from family planning, preconception counseling and prenatal care to annual physicals, pelvic exams and pap smears
• Midwives work closely with OB/GYN doctors and use a unique blend of traditional medicine, alternative techniques and educational methods, so their patients have all options available to them, including the use of an epidural for pain relief.
According to the American College of Nurse Midwives, CNMs attend almost eight percent of the births in the United States, 96 percent of which are in hospitals.
So, contrary to one of the most common stigmas associated with it, midwifery isn’t about having a baby at home – although it certainly includes that option.
“Midwifery is based on a strong belief in partnering with childbearing women and respecting birth as a normal life event, not as a medical process,” explains Maureen Stein-Vavro, RN, CNM at Lakewood Hospital Midwifery Associates. “We focus on what’s important to the woman and her family. This may or may not include medication or a home delivery. It’s all about helping to create the birth experience that’s best for them.”
Lakewood Hospital offers a midwifery practice on Cleveland’s West Side. The midwives work alongside board-certified obstetricians/gynecologists to provide sensitive, confidential, and specialized birthing and gynecological care.
Advantages of Using a Midwife
• A woman-centered approach and commitment to enhancing care through education and natural supportive intervention.
• More time available to spend with you throughout pregnancy, during delivery and for follow-up care.
• Support of family involvement.
• The availability of alternative birthing opportunities, such as a water births.
“In our fast-paced world, it’s important for women to find a healthcare provider who will take the time to truly care for them,” said Stein-Vavro. “Our group of midwives are experienced and dedicated to women’s needs.”
For more information on midwifery care or to make an appointment with Maureen Stein-Vavro, CNM, or any other of the midwives, please call 216.227.2500.
Lakewood Hospital Midwifery Associates
Community Health Center
1450 Belle Avenue, Suite 310
Lakewood, OH 44107