What is a midwife?
Since ancient times, women have called on midwives to assist them in childbirth. Midwives in the U.S. got their start in eastern Kentucky in the 1920’s. Today, midwives carry on the tradition of personal, family centered care.
Midwives provide care during pregnancy, labor, delivery and the postpartum period, as well as routine gynecological services, such as pap smears and contraception. They are affiliated with physicians who are available for consultation or referral, if necessary.
To become a certified midwife, a person (usually a registered nurse) must complete a post-graduate program of study at an accredited school and pass a rigorous exam administered by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.
Midwives deliver
The midwives of OB-GYN Associates deliver babies at Cayuga Medical Center at Ithaca. They are present throughout active labor and encourage family involvement. Midwives make every effort to facilitate a smooth, natural delivery with minimal intervention. If necessary, however, they can administer pain medication, perform episiotomies, and monitor women during induction of labor.
Midwives are trained to recognize complications during pregnancy and labor. If problems arise, the woman’s care may be transferred to one of our physicians.
Midwives do more than deliver
In addition to care during pregnancy, midwives can provide for a woman’s health needs throughout the life cycle. Here is a partial list of available services:
- Yearly exam, including pap smear
- Preconception counseling
- Infertility testing and referral
- Oral contraceptives
- Diaphragm and cervical cap fitting
- Other types of birth control
- Menopause counseling
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Mammogram referral
- Treatment of urinary tract infections
- Treatment of vaginal and pelvic infections
- Treatment of sexually transmitted diseases
- Referrals to other specialists
- HIV testing
Can I be a patient of the midwives?
Any woman, of any age, who is in generally good health, can take advantage of the services of the midwives. There are some exceptions, however, which can be discussed at the time of your first office visit. In certain cases, joint physician-midwife management is possible.
Scheduling
During pregnancy, your first one or two visits at OB-GYN Associates will be with one of the midwives or nurse practitioners.
If you know that you want the midwives, just say so. You will rotate among the midwives and see a physician once in your pregnancy.
If you are unsure as to whch type of care you want, you may alternate visits between midwives and doctors until you decide. See “Some Points to Consider,” on this website.
For non-pregnant patients, you may schedule an appointment with the provider of your choice.
If you would like to discuss midwifery care prior to scheduling an appointment, please call our office at 607. 266.7800 and ask to speak with a midwife.
Some points to consider before deciding on your care:
You may be considering the midwives because, for cultural or personal reasons, you feel more comfortable being cared for by women. Ours is not an exclusively female practice however, and even those who chose midwife care or prefer female caregivers may be cared for and examined by male doctors, in certain situations. If you find this unacceptable, you may need to seek care elsewhere.
During labor, there may not be an OB-GYN physician in the hospital if you are under the care of a midwife, but the doctor “on-call” is readily available if needed. In that case, midwives and doctors work as a team for your well-being and that of your baby.
During pregnancy, an early decision concerning your type of care – midwife or physician – is encouraged so that you are comfortable with those caring for you.
The midwives operate on an “on-call” schedule, meaning that you will be cared for during your labor by the midwife who is on-call at that time.
Feel free to discuss this with any of us, at any time. We want you to be happy with your care!