Why choose a midwife?

  • Holistic approach to your care
  • Focus on woman/patient/family centered care.
  • Focus on illness prevention and education.
  • Provide competent and compassionate care.
  • Informed consent and evidenced based practice.

Midwives view pregnancy and birth as a normal process in the absence of complications.  Research shows that midwifery care can lead to fewer interventions, cesarean sections and higher patient satisfaction.

Where do midwives practice?

  • Hospitals
  • Out-of-hospital Birth Centers
  • Homes
  • Private Practices such as OBGYN/CNM/Family/Adult/Pediatric practices
  • Public Health Facilities and institutions

Will insurance cover my care with a midwife?

Absolutely.  Midwifery care with a Certified Nurse Midwife is covered by most, if not all, insurance types in the State of Colorado.  Contact your specific health insurance to determine if they cover a specific midwifery practice or care with midwives at the hospital of your choice.

What is the difference between a midwife and an obstetrician/gynecologist?

There are many similarities between ObGyn physicians and midwives such as that both practice evidenced based care and are trained to manage pregnancy, labor, birth, and the care of women through their lifespan.  The major differences exist in the way we manage.  Midwives focus on a holistic perspective that views the woman at the center of her care and views pregnancy, labor and birth as natural normal processes.  In the absence of complications, midwives believe that there is no need for interventions.  Midwives value developing a relationship with their clients and families take time to get to know you.  They also focus on education, prevention, and shared decision making.  In labor and birth, Midwives will frequently be at your side, supporting you every step of the way.  They are trained in non-pharmacologic pain coping techniques to help you labor naturally via massage, hydrotherapy, and much more while also being your support if you choose pain medication or an epidural.  Midwives are trained in complications of pregnancy, labor and birth as well and will identify if your specific needs require consultation with an ObGyn physician. 

What is the difference between a midwife and a doula?

Doulas are individuals selected by a woman and her family to provide uninterrupted support to her and her family through labor and birth.  They are an exceptional addition to your support team and are trained to support a laboring woman and her family emotionally, physically, and spiritually through this amazing experience.  Many doulas are also trained to support women through pregnancy and postpartum care. Midwives support women in all the same ways as a doula but with the addition of being responsible for the medical management of her pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum care. 

If I chose a midwife for my birth, where will I deliver?

You will deliver in the setting of your choice – hospital, out-of-hospital birth center, or home depending on the midwife or midwifery group you have chosen.  Most midwives in Colorado deliver only in the setting in which they are insured to deliver.  This is typically either in a hospital setting or in an out-of-hospital birth center.  However, there are some CNMs in Colorado who are licensed and insured to deliver in the home setting.  Certified Professional Midwives typically deliver in the home setting.

What if I develop a complication during my pregnancy or birth?

Midwives provide many levels of care and can diagnose and manage many complications.  Depending on the complication and the severity of your case, a midwife can continue to manage your care, share management of your care with an ObGyn physician, or refer you to a physician for more specialized care.  Midwives are trained to manage complications during labor as well.  If the complication requires further intervention, a physician will be called to your birth in a hospital setting or you will be transferred emergently to the nearest hospital if you are in an out-of-hospital birth center or your home.  Most complications in birth are detected early and there is time for transfer.

If I have my baby with a midwife, can I still use pain meds such an epidural?

Absolutely.  Midwives believe in woman-centered care and support women in having the experience of labor and birth that they choose.  This may be through unmedicated childbirth or pain medicine such as an epidural.

What if I need a cesarean section?

Your care would then be transferred to an Ob/Gyn physician as Midwives are not trained surgeons. 

Can I have a vaginal birth after a cesarean section (VBAC) with a midwife?

Yes!  Midwives support women in their decision to have a vaginal birth after a cesarean section and are trained in the rare complications that could arise.