One of the Best Kept Secrets in San Francisco

The word midwife, meaning "with woman," has been used for centuries to describe a woman who assists women during labor and childbirth. Traditionally, the midwife was an older family member or wise woman in the community. Today, the word midwife indicates a philosophy of care that is woman-centered, incorporates the partner and family into the pregnancy and birth process, minimizes interventions, and offers a variety of options to the woman and her partner.

Certified nurse-midwives (CNM) are highly educated and skilled women’s health care providers. The CNMs on staff at California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC) provide full-scope midwifery care, including prenatal and postpartum care, routine gynecological care, and family planning services working in private practice with obstetricians at CPMC. Since the CNMs at California Pacific deliver babies in the hospital, should complications arise or medical interventions become necessary they work collaboratively with the physicians with whom they practice.

Midwives at CPMC

At CPMC the midwives offer women compassionate care, individualized education, and counseling. Jeanne-Marie Crowe CNM, MS, explains, "Pregnancy and childbirth are transformative and unique experiences. It is my hope that each woman, along with her partner, be supported to have the birth that she most desires."

In 2004, one of Jeanne-Marie’s patients, Julie found out she was pregnant with her second child. She had delivered her first baby with an obstetrician and this time wanted her birthing philosophies more supported. Since she was 40 years old, Julie felt that homebirth was not a viable option. She wanted the backup of a trained medical staff and a Newborn ICU. Julie met with Midwife Jeanne-Marie, relayed her birthing desires and found the support she was seeking. Together they worked to accommodate Julie’s requests without compromising the health and safety of the baby. With her midwife’s guidance and nurturing, surrounded by her family, Julie gave birth to a 10-pound, 11-ounce baby. "Even though my baby was big, Jeanne-Marie was calm throughout my labor. This time I felt empowered and emotionally supported, unlike with my first birthing experience," explains Julie.

Midwife Prenatal Visits

Prenatal visits with a CNM often allow additional time for education and counseling to women and their partners concerning childbirth options, childbirth preparations, breastfeeding, family planning, prenatal nutrition, diet and exercise. They can also help women work through any issues and challenges associated with breastfeeding.

Many patients feel that working with a midwife presents the best of both worlds, preparing her and her husband for their birthing experience. According to April, who delivered with a midwife in 2006, "The prenatal visits my husband and I had with our midwife enabled us to address our questions in a caring and compassionate environment. We came to our birth feeling well prepared, supported in our philosophy, and familiar with our primary caregiver." April goes on to explain, "Being in the care of our midwife enabled us to have the birth experience that we had hoped for, because we were well informed to make important decisions and supported throughout the process."

Choosing a Midwife

Choosing to deliver with a midwife is an option that is welcome at California Pacific. You should check with your obstetrician to find out if they have a midwife on staff. Below are some questions that might help guide you when interviewing a midwife.

What does a midwife offer in terms of my pregnancy and childbirth experience that is different from an obstetrician?

Why did you choose to become a midwife?

What is your education and training background?

Where do you deliver babies? Home, hospital, or birth center?

In what situations would you collaborate with physicians? And who would those physicians be? Will I meet the physicians during my prenatal course?

Do you attend the entire labor and delivery process?

If complications occur, what is the procedure?

Do you work with other midwives?

If I choose to come to your practice for midwifery care, will a midwife deliver my baby?

Do you deliver vaginally after a previous c-section delivery? How does your practice handle vaginal delivery after c-section (VBAC)?

Do you encourage families to be present during labor and birth?

What kind of care can I expect from you postpartum?

Does choosing a midwife mean that I will have an un-medicated natural delivery? May I have an epidural or pain medication if I desire?

How is a midwife different from a doula?

Having a child is a life-changing event. Considering your options and choosing a provider that will support you and your partner can make this one of the most special and exciting experiences of your life. Julie explains, "Choosing a midwife who would support my desire for an un-medicated birth was my personal choice. Women should ask themselves, ‘what do I want out of my birthing experience for myself and my baby?’ They should use these answers to form detailed questions for their health care provider in order to make an informed birthing choice."