Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) are licensed health care professionals who perform many of the same functions as traditional obstetricians. Their professional organization is The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM). Despite popular belief, most CNMs (about 94.9%) attend births in hospitals, while just 2.5% attend births in homes.
There are many advantages to using CNMs, which you’ll want to consider if you’re thinking about it for your own pregnancy and birth.
CNMs don’t just help you once you’re pregnant; they can also help you become pregnant. Also known as preconception, pregnancy pre-planning is a service they can provide to help you prepare your body for pregnancy, as well as conceive.
CNMs can provide you with a home birth experience while still being in the hospital. Their philosophy is backed with a natural childbirth plan along with patient satisfaction. CNMs are frequently allied with local hospitals and backed up by Ob/Gyn physicians.
CNMs are actively present throughout the birthing process and give in-person care during the whole labor procedure. They can help you manage different position changes during labor — through walking and other helpful postures — as well as advise on the administration of various pain relief options, like epidurals.
CNMs can provide additional follow-up services, including postpartum care, lactation consultations, advice for newborn health and care issues, and much more.
CNMs utilize a nurturing approach that places women at the center of their practices. They give lots of face-to-face time, and want to get to know you in order to provide the best physical and emotional support.
According to studies, CNMs provide more access to prenatal care, lower cesarean birth rates, and babies with higher birth weights. Moreover, home births with low-risk pregnancies using certified nurse-midwives are equally as safe as low-risk hospital births but in Georgia CNM are not allowed to attend home births and run the risk of losing their medical license.
If you’ve weighed the benefits and decided that a certified nurse-midwife is right for you, then you may want to schedule a consultation with us at OB-GYN Associates of Marietta, where we have a diverse team of both OB-GYNs and CNMs depending on what best suits your needs. If you’re ready to take the next step, call us or book an appointment online today. Also read more about a new type of prenatal care called “Centering” which is offered by the midwives working at Ob/Gyn Associates of Marietta.
