Written by one of our Midwives, Rita-Marie Goudreau, CNM

I have worked with the Adler Center now for almost 3 years and I wanted to take the opportunity in this first patient newsletter to share with you what it is that a Nurse-midwife has to offer.  One of the easiest ways to explain the benefits is to explore some frequently asked questions often heard when talking about Nurse-midwives.   If after reading this brief article you have further questions or simply want to meet with one of us for your next visit please feel free to call our office! 

“What kind of training does a Nurse-midwife undergo?”

The midwives in our practice are similar to nurse practitioners, but the focus of their education was on pregnancy and women’s health care.  They are registered nurses and they went back to college to get a masters degree in nursing.  They have graduated from one of the advanced education programs accredited by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM).  In addition, the Nurse-midwives in our practice have passed a national certification exam and met strict requirements set by the state of Virginia.  The midwives in our practice have an average of 6-7 years of college education and continue each year to attend conferences and lectures to keep their training current.   

“Why would I choose a Nurse-midwife when making an appointment?”

We offer women an alternative to their health care needs and are the only practice in the area that offers you the option of being seen either by one of our two male physicians or one of our four female midwives.   It is nice to be seen by one of the Nurse-midwives in pregnancy because we pride ourselves in focusing on the natural process of pregnancy.  During your appointments we educate you on the natural changes that your body goes through and we talk with you about your concerns.  We also encourage women to make informed decisions about their own health care needs.  We welcome your questions and take time to listen to you and talk with you.  What is more, numerous studies have demonstrated time and again that women who are cared for by a Nurse-midwife can expect the same level of safety as they can from a physician.  Some women, especially teenagers, feel more comfortable talking to another woman about her health concerns and aren’t as embarrassed about private exams when a woman is doing them.  It is a choice we offer you each time you call the office.  We encourage you to meet with one of the midwives at least once so you can make a decision on your own preference.  

“What can a Nurse-midwife offer me that is different?”

Throughout a woman’s life, our Nurse-midwives teach and answer questions about proper diets, personal hygiene, exercise and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.  Our goal is to give you the education and medical advice that will help you maintain health.  Our training is not limited to pregnancy alone, but rather we see women throughout the lifespan, from teenagers to menopausal women.  We do annual pelvic and breast examinations, Pap tests and screening for infections.  Because we don’t see as many patients as the physicians do, we have more time to spend with each woman.  If you are thinking of having a baby, one of our midwives can help you plan ahead for a healthy pregnancy.   If you are pregnant, you can be assured that we will educate and empower you to be in charge of your own body.  We want you to focus on the healthy changes your body will go through during pregnancy and delivery.  During labor the Nurse-midwife will be with you at the hospital the whole time.  We provide you support, encouragement, and we help you to utilize whatever aids or techniques work specifically for you.  You can walk around, take showers, and drink fluids - whatever eases your labor pain.  Our goal is to help provide you with the labor and delivery of your dreams, so if you are interested in the pain relief from epidurals or IV pain medicine we can also provide you with these medical interventions.  We take pride in our approach to build relationships with you.  If treatment or intervention is necessary we want to provide you with easy-to-understand explanations and give you the attention that you have always yearned for by a provider. 

“What if a problem develops?”

All of our Nurse-midwives consult with physicians if there is a problem that may put a woman at risk.  If you are in labor you will be managed by both the Nurse-midwife and the physician on call that day.  The physicians are within 10 minutes of the hospital and frequent calls between the physician and midwife keep them well informed.  In our office the midwives have frequent conversations with Dr. Adler and Dr. Colon concerning patient issues.  The advantage of being part of the Adler Center is that should a problem develop, you can easily be referred to a physician.  In most cases, the physician will see you, treat the problem and then refer you back to the midwives.  Prescriptions for medication, antibiotics, birth control and vitamins can be written by Nurse-midwives.  Nurse-midwifery care is covered by most private insurances and many managed care programs.  We feel that this collaborative team approach provides you with the optimal combination of health care.