Expecting mothers at Trinity Health Oakland now have increased access to high quality evidence-based care through pregnancy and labor with Certified Nurse-Midwives.
If you are not familiar, midwives are nurses specialized in advanced practice nursing. These experienced medical professionals have both a nursing degree and a master’s degree. Though midwife services are not a new concept, the hospital’s introduction of them in our outpatient office in Bloomfield Hills greatly expands access to their services in northern Oakland County.
As midwives, our focus with every patient is to empower them, to ensure their voice is heard and listened to, and to have them actively participate in decision making throughout their prenatal care and labor. At the end of the day, we advocate for our mothers, and we work to provide them with the best options available so they can have a customized birthing experience in keeping with their faith, traditions and expectations. We do so in the safest possible environment, while ensuring the safety and wellbeing of both the mother and her baby.
Another reason expecting mothers choose nurse-midwives as their healthcare provider is for the guidance and counseling we offer, including preparing for labor. From start to finish, the process of bringing a newborn into the world can be daunting, so our nurse-midwives offer critical support and anticipatory guidance, so mothers feel informed and supported.
The specialty care provided by nurse-midwives is proven to be very effective. When women use a midwife, the chances of them needing a cesarean section are greatly reduced, as are preterm birth rates, according to a study conducted by the National Library of Medicine. Midwives can combine the necessary prenatal care while also providing additional support and encouragement during this critical time in a woman’s life.
At Trinity Health Oakland we are part of a large medical care team. Our nurse-midwives can collaborate with Obstetrics and Gynecology physicians as necessary throughout the pregnancy and delivery, including in the event a delivery becomes high-risk or if an emergency procedure is required. Nurse-midwives and physicians work closely together to ensure the mother is part of the decision-making process, all while making it the safest environment for both the mother and the baby.
Beyond the birthing experience, midwifery services are also used after the pregnancy, from annual exams, well-woman care, cancer screening, preconception counseling, pregnancy, postpartum and peri- and postmenopausal needs.
We are thrilled to now offer this service in Oakland County and encourage every expecting mother to ask questions, do their homework, and choose a care provider that best meets their needs.
To schedule an appointment with a nurse-midwife, please call the Trinity Health IHA Medical Group, Nurse Midwives – Bloomfield Hills office at (248) 334-3213.
