Midwifery

What to Expect with Midwifery

You can expect a special kind of care when you choose an IU Health midwife. Our midwives see themselves as partners in your care and want to make sure you have an active voice in your healthcare decisions.

At IU Health, we believe that life events such as puberty, pregnancy, birth and menopause are normal experiences—not illnesses. Our goal is to provide education, counseling, and support so you can make the best choices for you and your family. Our midwives have access to the highest levels of care, making it easy to consult with or refer to physicians and other professionals when needed. Our team of consultants includes obstetrician-gynecologists, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, anesthesiologists, pediatricians, and neonatologists.

What Do Midwives Do?

Certified nurse midwives are advanced practice registered nurses who have completed an accredited graduate education program in midwifery and passed a national certification exam. IU Health midwives are experts in women’s health. Our midwives provide individualized care through all stages of a woman’s life. Midwives provide prenatal care, family planning services and routine women’s health exams.

How Does a Midwife Help During Pregnancy?

Midwives are experts in normal pregnancy and birth. They will listen to and ensure your concerns and wishes are addressed. They perform all prenatal care using current technology and laboratory tests as needed. Our experts are trained to recognize deviations from the normal. We welcome questions and strive to educate you of your options during childbirth.

Our team respects and supports the diversity of women’s needs. We understand the variety of personal and cultural meanings that women and their families bring to pregnancy.

How Does a Midwife Help During Birth?

During labor and birth, our midwives will:

• Monitor the health of both you and your baby
• Provide continuous emotional and physical support
• Provide access to pain management techniques, including hydrotherapy and water birth, nitrous oxide, IV pain medications, and epidural anesthesia as desired
• Help you give birth and deliver your baby

IU Health midwives perform water births. Water birth is a gentle way of welcoming your baby into the world. Our team of midwives are trained to help women who chose a water birth as their birth plan. Whether you wish to use water for labor only or stay in the water for delivery, midwives are there every step of the way to oversee the safety of you and your baby. IU Health is the only healthcare system that offers water births in the surrounding areas. Our team members help you make choices that are best for you, including options for pain management. After birth, our midwives are a great resource in your new role as a mother.

Routine Women’s Healthcare

IU Health midwives provide routine primary and gynecologic care for women of all ages. This includes:

• Health education
• Preventive care
• Preconception care
• Family planning

Our midwives are advocates for patient choice. We spend extra time during your appointment getting to know you, listening to your concerns, and providing education and support. Our midwives can write and refill prescriptions.