Every woman deserves a nurse-midwife

By Mary Lewis, Certified Nurse-Midwife: Director of Nurse-Midwifery Division, Wayne Health, Dept. of OB-GYN

A certified nurse-midwife (CNM) is a health care provider who has had special education and training both as a registered nurse and midwife. They care for women throughout their lifetime with special emphasis on pregnancy, childbirth, gynecologic and reproductive health. Nurse-midwives focus on each woman in a personal, evidence-based manner. There are approximately 12,000 nurse-midwives in the US.

Did you know?

• CNM’s work in various settings: medical/ OB-GYN offices, hospitals, free standing birth centers, clinics and home settings. 95% of CNM’s attend births in hospitals.
• Nurse-midwives are covered by almost all insurances including Medicaid, Medicare, private insurances, as well as military and federal programs.
• CNM’s are best known for taking care of women during pregnancy and childbirth, but also provide primary care, contraceptive management and menopausal care.

Studies have shown repeatedly that not only do women of all ages receive high quality care, but also enormous satisfaction from having a nurse-midwife as their provider of health care throughout their lifespan. Women have stated that they feel they have a friend at birth, rather than a health care provider only.

The Wayne Health nurse-midwives were the first practice to be granted privileges in a hospital in Michigan in 1980. We have been dedicated to the women in the Metro Detroit community for 41 years and have been honored to do so. We have trained and educated most of the nurse-midwives in the community.

Wayne Health has nurse-midwife offices located in Detroit, Dearborn and Southfield. To make an appointment with a Wayne Health nurse-midwife, please visit our website or call (877) 929-6342.