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Midwives at St. Luke's

baby hands

The Midwifery Program at St. Luke's Campus is an integral part of our Women and Children's Services at St. Luke's. Our team of Certified Nurse-Midwives and Ob-GYN physicians are committed to providing culturally sensitive, quality care during pregnancy and the birth of your child.

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What is a Nurse-Midwife? | Hallmarks of Midwifery Care | Comprehensive Care | Our Team of Certified Nurse Midwives

What is a Nurse-Midwife?

Focused on wellness, nurse-midwives are highly trained specialists in normal pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum periods. Our certified nurse-midwives hold masters degrees and licenses as advanced practice nurses. They are certified by the American College of Nurse-Midwives and have graduated from accredited programs. Although the judicious use of medical interventions is central to their philosophy of care, they write prescriptions, assist in cesareans, and perform limited OB ultrasounds.
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Hallmarks of Midwifery Care

Recognition of pregnancy, birth and menopause as normal physiologic and developmental processes

Advocacy of non-intervention in the absence of complications

Empowerment of women as partners in health care

Cultural competence

Incorporation of scientific evidence into clinical practice

Evaluation and incorporation of complementary and alternative therapies in education and practice

Skillful communication, guidance and counseling

Advocacy for informed choice, shared decision-making and the right to self-determination

Therapeutic value of human presence

Comprehensive Care

Our goal is to provide you with safe, compassionate, high-quality care throughout your pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and beyond. We believe that childbearing is a normal process, and that it can be an empowering experience for women and their families.

Women interested in midwifery care can request to see a midwife at St. Luke’s Women’s Center: you may select one particular midwife, or choose to meet all of our midwives during your pregnancy, thereby increasing the likelihood that you will be attended by someone you know in labor.

Throughout your pregnancy and birth, you will be attended by a nurse-midwife unless medical issues arise. Medical issues may require you to see a physician at some point, but our nurse-midwives can also consult or work collaboratively with our obstetricians in case of pregnancy complications. Our midwives attend the majority of normal births at the St. Luke’s Campus, though there is a small chance due to scheduling issues that you would be attended by a physician. Our collaborative team of nurse-midwives and physicians are available to you around the clock.

St. Luke’s nurse-midwives provide care throughout a lifespan. We would love to take care of you after your baby is born for routine gynecological exams and birth control, pre-conceptual counseling, and later for peri-menopausal support.

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Our Team of Certified Nurse Midwives

Rebecca Amirault, CNM, MSN
University of California, San Francisco
Additional Languages: Spanish

Michelle Baird, CNM, MSN
Columbia University
Additional Languages: Spanish

Emily Beck, CNM, MSN
University of California, San Francisco
Additional Languages: Spanish

Teresa Keirns, CNM
University of California, San Francisco

Deena Mallareddy, CNM, MSN
Yale University
Additional Languages: Spanish

Denise Rubinfeld, CNM
University of California, San Francisco

Susan McDonald, CNM, MSN
University of California, San Francisco

Julie Vivalda, CNM, MSN
University of California, San Francisco
Additional Languages: Spanish & Portuguese
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