Midwives at Holy Family
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What is Midwifery?
Midwifery is the ancient art of helping women in childbirth. The word “midwife”
derives from Old English-“mid” = with, and “wyfe” = woman. Today midwives
continue the tradition as trained specialists in the areas of normal pregnancy, birth,
newborn care, and well-woman gynecologic care. Midwives provide care for
women of all ages.
What do Midwives do?
The goal of the midwife is to support birthing women physically and emotionally
for a normal, non-traumatic birth. Midwives see themselves as “guardians” of
normal birth at a time of increasing birth technology. In the United States, midwives
attend a small but growing number of births each year. Although most women can
have a midwife, those who have problems with pregnancy or birth are referred to
obstetricians.
Are there different kinds of Midwives?
Midwives in the U.S. follow a variety of paths to receive their training. Some
midwives are nurses, and then receive additional training to become a C.N.M. or
Certified Nurse-midwife. Some midwives are direct-entry midwives, which means
they are not nurses and go "directly" into the study of midwifery. Direct-entry
midwives may hold the title C.P.M. or Certified Professional Midwife. Midwives
practice in a variety of settings. Certified Nurse-midwives deliver babies primarily
in hospitals, but some practice in birth centers or attend homebirths. Certified
Professional Midwives and other direct-entry midwives deliver babies primarily at
home, but might also work in birth centers.
What is the Educational Background of Midwives at Holy Family?
There are various educational paths to become a midwife. The midwives at Holy
Family are Certified NurseMidwives (CNM), trained first as nurses and then as
midwives.
What is a Birth Center?
A birth center is a place where women give birth. Birth centers generally have a
comfortable, relaxed atmosphere and may have large bathtubs or other amenities to
comfort and support women in labor. Birth centers may be part of a hospital, or
they may be "freestanding" or independent practices, separate from a hospital, such
as the Holy Family Birth Center. The concept of a birth center grows from the idea
that women deserve privacy, tranquility, and family-centered support for labor and
birth.
Birth centers provide a setting free of the frequent interruptions and routines of the
hospital, but where emergency equipment is readily available and medical backup
may be obtained quickly. If you are looking for a birth center, beware of hospitals
that put nice wallpaper and new rocking chairs in their regular labor and delivery
units and then call them "birth centers". Just because it looks homey doesn't mean
you will be allowed to labor in the way you chose. In at least one state, a law was
passed to prevent hospitals from advertising their units as "birth centers" because it
was misleading to the consumer. Always interview your care provider to make sure
that their idea of birthing and yours match.
Midwifery is the ancient art of helping women in childbirth. The word “midwife”
derives from Old English-“mid” = with, and “wyfe” = woman. Today midwives
continue the tradition as trained specialists in the areas of normal pregnancy, birth,
newborn care, and well-woman gynecologic care. Midwives provide care for
women of all ages.
What do Midwives do?
The goal of the midwife is to support birthing women physically and emotionally
for a normal, non-traumatic birth. Midwives see themselves as “guardians” of
normal birth at a time of increasing birth technology. In the United States, midwives
attend a small but growing number of births each year. Although most women can
have a midwife, those who have problems with pregnancy or birth are referred to
obstetricians.
Are there different kinds of Midwives?
Midwives in the U.S. follow a variety of paths to receive their training. Some
midwives are nurses, and then receive additional training to become a C.N.M. or
Certified Nurse-midwife. Some midwives are direct-entry midwives, which means
they are not nurses and go "directly" into the study of midwifery. Direct-entry
midwives may hold the title C.P.M. or Certified Professional Midwife. Midwives
practice in a variety of settings. Certified Nurse-midwives deliver babies primarily
in hospitals, but some practice in birth centers or attend homebirths. Certified
Professional Midwives and other direct-entry midwives deliver babies primarily at
home, but might also work in birth centers.
What is the Educational Background of Midwives at Holy Family?
There are various educational paths to become a midwife. The midwives at Holy
Family are Certified NurseMidwives (CNM), trained first as nurses and then as
midwives.
What is a Birth Center?
A birth center is a place where women give birth. Birth centers generally have a
comfortable, relaxed atmosphere and may have large bathtubs or other amenities to
comfort and support women in labor. Birth centers may be part of a hospital, or
they may be "freestanding" or independent practices, separate from a hospital, such
as the Holy Family Birth Center. The concept of a birth center grows from the idea
that women deserve privacy, tranquility, and family-centered support for labor and
birth.
Birth centers provide a setting free of the frequent interruptions and routines of the
hospital, but where emergency equipment is readily available and medical backup
may be obtained quickly. If you are looking for a birth center, beware of hospitals
that put nice wallpaper and new rocking chairs in their regular labor and delivery
units and then call them "birth centers". Just because it looks homey doesn't mean
you will be allowed to labor in the way you chose. In at least one state, a law was
passed to prevent hospitals from advertising their units as "birth centers" because it
was misleading to the consumer. Always interview your care provider to make sure
that their idea of birthing and yours match.
| Midwife Help Wanted We are currently searching for 2 full time staff CNM's who are willing to share call and clinic hours, as well as be willing to obtain hospital privileges. We remain open to providing fellowships and internships to CNM's needing experience, and we are always excited to have volunteer CNM's. There is room and board available for those Midwives who wish to volunteer, as well as a stipend and shared use of a car for those who are able to give long term commitments. Conversational Spanish would be helpful but a willingness to learn is a requirement! |
| Holy Family Midwife helping a mother in the birthing tub |
| For more information, please contact: Holy Family Birth Center 5819 North FM 88 Weslaco, Texas 78596 Tel: 956.969.2538 Fax: 956.969.5884 |
| Midwife examines an expectant Mom |
Where Birth is a Blessed Event
| A midwives examines an expectant mom at Holy Family |
| Midwives and nurses at Holy Family LOVE babies |
Sr. Mary, RN, Shelley (a
recent volunteer CNM) and
Nancy with a new Mom after
her birth
recent volunteer CNM) and
Nancy with a new Mom after
her birth