What is a midwife?
BWHC midwives are all certified nurse-midwives (CNMs). CNMs are licensed healthcare practitioners educated in the two disciplines of nursing and midwifery and are certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB). They provide primary healthcare to women of childbearing age, including: prenatal care, labor and delivery care, care after birth, gynecological exams, assistance with family planning decisions, preconception care, menopausal management, and counseling in health maintenance and disease prevention. In addition to national certification, BWHC midwives all have master of science degrees and are licensed by the Arizona State Board of Nursing with prescribing and dispensing privileges.

Surprisingly, many women are not aware that for a low-risk pregnancy (which most are), a midwife might be the best choice. An independent 1998 study determined that infant and newborn deaths were significantly lower following midwife-assisted births. Other research has consistently confirmed equal or better outcomes for midwife- versus physician-assisted low-risk births, citing significantly lower rates of interventions such as induction of labor, rupture of membranes, episiotomies, and cesareans. These results reflect a fundamental difference in perspectives.

Physicians are highly trained to address medical issues and view pregnancy in terms of what might medically go wrong, and are ready to intervene at the first sign of trouble. They also offer numerous services for medical issues relating to both obstetric and gynecologic problems. Midwives approach birth as a normal, natural, healthy life event and are trained to recognize unexpected complications early and engage the expertise of their collaborating physicians. In a midwife you'll find the best of healthcare and human support in one savvy professional. At BWHC, our CNMs and OB/GYN physicians working closely together as colleagues. In this partnership, we have the best of both worlds, and humbly feel BWHC has the best collaborative practice in Arizona!

Besides CNMs, other types of midwives you might hear about include:

Certified Midwife. A certified midwife (CM) is an individual educated in the discipline of midwifery, who also possesses evidence of certification by the American Midwifery Certification Board. Like CNMs, the CM provides primary healthcare to women of childbearing age including: prenatal care, labor and delivery care, care after birth, gynecological exams, newborn care, assistance with family planning decisions, preconception care, menopausal management, and counseling in health maintenance and disease prevention.

Other midwives. Common categories of other midwives include: licensed midwives, lay midwives, certified professional midwives, and direct entry midwives. They are regulated on a state-by-state basis and are largely home-birth midwives with a few practicing in freestanding birth centers. The variety of titles can be confusing for consumers who want to determine what qualifications have been met by their midwife. Because standards for the education and practice of midwifery may vary, we urge consumers to carefully evaluate credentials of and look for a well-educated provider who allows direct access to medical care if needed or requested.

At BWHC, the midwives practice according to the "Midwives' Model of Care," a model that describes the type of care women and their families can expect when they come to our practice.

MIDWIVES MODEL OF CARE

What to expect from BWHC's certified nurse-midwives:

- Respectful Treatment

• Gentle, nurturing care that respects you, your family, and your beliefs.
• Respect for your informed decisions about medical tests, recommendations, and interventions.
• Willingness to support your birth plan, including any family members and friends you may want present at the birth.
• Freedom to move, eat, bathe…to do what helps you during labor and birth; your midwife doesn't "prohibit" or "allow," but patiently supports and guides you.
• Respect for the birth process as it unfolds uniquely each time. Although amazing, being pregnant and giving birth are actually normal life processes for which a woman's body is well-designed.