|
|
|
|
 |
|
FAQ for the CNMs
|
Below are some of the questions that we are frequently asked. If you have a question that is not addressed here or would like more information on a specific topic, we'll be happy to answer it for you! We also are happy to set up a no-charge meet-n-greet session so you can get to know us and our practice.
Becky and Emily
|
What is a certified nurse-midwife (CNM)?
Why do people use CNMs?
Do you attend deliveries at home?
Are you anti-pain medication/anti-epidural?
Where do you attend deliveries?
Will my insurance cover a midwife?
Can I just see the CNMs? When would I see the obstetricians?
Do you have experience with the Bradley Method? Hypnobirthing? Hypnobabies?
Can I have a doula?
Can I labor/give birth in any position?
Do I have to be hooked up to monitors the whole time?
Do I have to have an IV?
Can I labor in the tub or the shower?
Do you offer waterbirths?
What if I'm Group Beta Strep (GBS) positive?
Do you do routine episiotomies?
Do you practice delayed cord clamping?
Can my husband/boyfriend/partner cut the cord?
I want to breastfeed right away. Is that OK?
What if I want to refuse the Vitamin K injection or erythromycin eye ointment for my baby?
How soon after delivery can I leave?
Do you attend VBACs (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean)?
What is a certified nurse-midwife (CNM)?
A CNM is a type of advanced practice nurse. This means that CNMs are registered nurses (RNs) who have also completed graduate education and training specializing in midwifery. CNMs are certified by the state to care for women throughout their lives, including during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. They also provide well-woman care, such as annual exams, contraception care, and infections. In Ohio, CNMs have a collaborating relationship with physicians.
Back to Top
Why do people use CNMs?
The word “midwife” means “with woman.” Midwives have been attending women in childbirth for hundreds of years. CNMs are experts in normal pregnancy and birth. The quote below from the site mymidwife.org provides a good explanation of the benefits of using a midwife.
“When you decide to visit a midwife, you can expect a special kind of care. Some midwives spend up to an hour with first-time patients, and all midwives stay with women through the entire birth process. Midwives strive to become partners in care rather than simply providers of health care.
Midwives approach birth, puberty, and menopause as normal life events rather than potential medical emergencies. These are times when women need special education or support, but nobody needs to cure or fix them. Midwives believe that if women are given the correct information, they can make safe and satisfying choices.
Midwives are trained to recognize complications early and refer you for appropriate care. In a midwife you’ll find the best of health care and human support in one savvy professional.”
Back to Top
Do you attend deliveries at home?
No. While we support a woman’s right to give birth where and with whom she chooses, we are not permitted by our insurance company to attend homebirths.
Back to Top
Are you anti-pain medication/anti-epidural?
No. We support a woman’s right to make her own informed decision about how she wants to give birth. This applies to the use of pain medication, if she so desires.
Back to Top
Where do you attend deliveries?
We attend deliveries exclusively at Mount Carmel St. Ann’s Hospital in Westerville.
Back to Top
Will my insurance cover a midwife?
We accept most insurance policies. If your insurance states that they cover the doctors in the practice, the midwives will also be covered. It does not cost any more or any less to use the midwives.
Back to Top
Can I just see the CNMs? When would I see the obstetricians?
In general, you can see the CNMs for each appointment. If your pregnancy becomes complicated, we will usually work in collaboration with our obstetricians. We also call our obstetricians in case of a complication or emergency during labor and/or delivery.
Back to Top
Do you have experience with the Bradley Method? Hypnobirthing? Hypnobabies?
Yes, we have had patients who have used all of these methods successfully. We encourage you to choose whichever childbirth preparation method you think would work best for you.
Back to Top
Can I have a doula?
Absolutely. We believe that you cannot have too many supportive people at your birth. We encourage you to interview different doulas and find the one that is the best fit for you. We have worked with many doulas in the Columbus area.
Back to Top
Can I labor/give birth in any position?
Absolutely. We encourage you to change positions frequently during labor, as we have found that position changes (and gravity!) help labor to progress.
Back to Top
Do I have to be hooked up to monitors the whole time?
In general, no. You will be hooked up for 20 minutes upon arrival to labor and delivery. As long as this 20 minute strip looks good, we will begin intermittent fetal monitoring, which means that we listen to baby every 30 minutes before, during, and after a contraction. We can discuss other parameters for monitoring as you get closer to delivery.
Back to Top
Do I have to have an IV?
No. We would prefer for our patients to have a “hep well,” which is an IV port.
Back to Top
Can I labor in the tub or the shower?
Yes! In fact, we encourage it!
Back to Top
Do you offer waterbirths?
We are proud to say that we are the only practice in Columbus that does waterbirths. There are some restrictions on who can have a waterbirth and we would be happy to discuss these restrictions with you.
Back to Top
What if I'm Group Beta Strep (GBS) positive?
The recommendation for women who are GBS positive is to be treated with IV antibiotics every four hours during labor.
Back to Top
Do you do routine episiotomies?
We do not cut episiotomies routinely. If the baby is in distress and we feel that an episiotomy will help, we will discuss it at that time.
Back to Top
Do you practice delayed cord clamping?
We routinely practice delayed cord clamping, meaning that we wait for the cord to stop pulsing before clamping and cutting it.
Back to Top
Can my husband/boyfriend/partner cut the cord?
Absolutely. We encourage their participation in your birth experience.
Back to Top
I want to breastfeed right away. Is that OK?
Yes!
Back to Top
What if I want to refuse the Vitamin K injection or erythromycin eye ointment for my baby?
That is fine; you can refuse just one or both of them. We just ask that you be educated about your choices. If you would like to refuse these, the staff at St. Ann’s will have you sign a form stating that you are refusing them.
Back to Top
How soon after delivery can I leave?
This decision is made more by your pediatrician than by us. We recommend speaking with your pediatrician ahead of time to see what their policy is on discharging your baby early.
Back to Top
Do you attend VBACs (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean)?
Our insurance does not allow us to attend VBACs at this time; however, our collaborating physicians are all very supportive of VBAC. If you are interested in a VBAC with our practice, please set up a consult visit with one of the physicians.
Back to Top
|
|Welcome|
|Meet Our Providers|
|Office Policy|
|What is a Certified Nurse Midwife?|
|Gynecologic Services|
|Obstetric and Midwifery Services|
|Menopause|
|Osteoporosis|
|Helpful Links|
|News and Events|
|FAQ|
|FAQ for the CNMs|
|Suggested Books and Websites|
|Testimonals|
|Birth Stories|
|Directions|
|Patient Survey|
|Patient Forms|
|Refill Prescriptions|
|Contact Us|
|
|
|
