Certified Nurse Midwife Services
What is a certified nurse midwife (CNM)?
A CNM is a specific kind of advanced practice nurse who specializes in women’s healthcare services. CNMs are licensed, independent healthcare providers allowed to prescribe medication in all 50 states. They focus on participating as partners in a woman’s care and generally take a low-intervention, holistic (“whole-person”) approach.
Read more about certified nurse midwives.
What’s the educational background of a CNM?
First, a CNM completes a bachelor’s degree in nursing and passes a licensing exam to become a registered nurse, or R.N. Then, she may go on to complete a master's or doctoral degree in nursing practice. While completing the academic requirements, the nurse logs more than 1000 clinical hours in women’s health services and labor/delivery experiences - and takes a national certifying exam specifically for certified midwives and certified nurse midwives.
Can a certified nurse midwife see me throughout my lifetime?
CNMs see women in all stages of life, much like an OB/GYN physician. A CNM can take care of Pap smears, perform STD screenings, treat infections, prescribe hormone replacement therapy and manage many other issues beyond prenatal care and labor/delivery.
What is the scope of practice of a CNM?
Midwifery, as practiced by CNMs and certified midwives (CMs), encompasses a range of primary healthcare services for women from adolescence through menopause and beyond. These services include primary care, gynecologic and family planning services; preconception care; care during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period; care of the normal newborn during the first 28 days of life; and treatment of male partners for sexually transmitted infections.
If I have a CNM, can I have an epidural or pain medicine during labor?
You can absolutely have pain medication or an epidural in labor if you choose to. The job of a midwife is to empower and advocate on the patient’s behalf. Whether you are determined to have a “natural childbirth,” curious about trying but not necessarily committed to the idea or certain you want an epidural; a midwife strives to help you achieve the birth experience you are hoping for.
Will midwives only deliver at the hospital?
Midwives with privileges on the medical staff of Northwest Medical Center will only deliver at the hospital.