A certified nurse-midwife (CNM) is part of the team that provides care for mothers and their babies during normal pregnancy. In addition to providing comprehensive care throughout pregnancy, certified nurse-midwives help expectant parents prepare for labor and delivery. Nurse-midwives also offer counseling in such areas as:

• Birth options
• Breastfeeding
• Maternal diet
• Newborn care
• Parenting
• Family planning
• Provide routine gynecologic care for women during their childbearing years.

They are experts in the normal process of pregnancy and childbirth and are held to rigorous standards of practice set by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.

Nurse-midwives work collaboratively with physicians and other health care professionals. Although they work independently in many areas, consulting with physicians is an important aspect of a nurse-midwife's job.

Nurse-midwives work individually with each woman and her family to identify their unique physical, social and emotional needs. You will enjoy the extended time midwives spend with you during labor and birth. Midwives understand that pregnancy and childbirth involve every part of a woman--her feelings, hopes, fears, physical needs, and spiritual beliefs. Your midwife will help you through your labor and delivery in the way most suited to you, and offer a variety of methods for your comfort and progress during labor.

Sutter Davis Birthing Center is proud to have midwifery services. Midwives deliver most of the babies born at Sutter Davis Birthing Center. Pregnancy and childbirth are normal, healthy processes. Midwives provide 'hands-on' care throughout labor, birth and after. There are many benefits for the woman and her family in being cared for by a midwife: there is less chance of complications and fewer interventions. Most of the midwives at Sutter Davis Birthing Center speak Spanish. Come to our "Meet The Midwives" program to meet all the midwives who may deliver your baby, ask questions, and talk with other women and families from Sutter West Women's Health and Communicare clinics. In order to have midwifery care during your labor and birth, you will need to have prenatal care through Sutter West Women's Health.

For more information call, (530) 750-5880.