Midwifery

A Partnership for Birth and Beyond

Our certified nurse midwives are highly skilled in the care of pregnant women and the delivery of babies. They have full hospital and pharmaceutical privileges, so they can provide the personal care expected from a traditional midwife in the safety and comfort of the Birth Center at Olympic Medical Center. Most births are not emergencies, but our midwives are expert at recognizing urgent situations and know what actions to take.

Midwives also deliver healthcare outside of pregnancy, providing yearly preventive exams, consultations about birth control, menopause management and other gynecological services.

What is a Midwife?

Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) are healthcare providers who partner with women to provide care that meets their unique needs and expectations before, during and after childbirth. OMC’s midwives deliver care in the hospital.

Certified Nurse Midwives:

  • Hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing or a related science.
  • Complete a master’s or doctorate in midwifery.
  • Participate in rigorous continued medical education.
  • Are licensed to prescribe medications.

Pain Management During Childbirth

While most midwives will rely on natural comfort methods first, such as relaxation techniques, movement, application of heat or pressure and hydrotherapy, certified midwives respect your choice to choose medical intervention and are able to prescribe pain medication and facilitate epidurals when necessary or requested.

OMC’s Certified Nurse Midwives provide:

  • Prenatal and postpartum care.
  • Personalized hospital labor and delivery.
  • Early pregnancy ultrasounds.
  • Management of common gynecological problems.
  • Family planning and contraceptive counseling.
  • Insertion of IUDs and Nexplanon.
  • Sexually transmitted infections screening and treatment.

Personalizing the Birth Experience

  • Educate pregnant people about their options, then support them in the choices they make.
  • They work together with you, your loved ones and the hospital’s labor and delivery team to make your pregnancy and your baby’s birth as satisfying as possible.
  • Are knowledgeable about the most up-to-date evidence and will help you make informed decisions.
  • Listen to your concerns and provide support when you need it.
  • Specialize in natural childbirth techniques while supporting the patient’s choice for pain relief and medical intervention.

Olympic Medical Providers in this Specialty

Maggie Gardner, CNM

Maggie Gardner, CNM

Specialties
Midwifery
Obstetrics
Laurie Johnson-Driese, ARNP, CNM

Laurie Johnson-Driese, ARNP, CNM

Specialties
Midwifery
Obstetrics
Cheri Shields, ARNP, CNM

Cheri Shields, ARNP, CNM

Specialties
Midwifery
Obstetrics