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Certified Nurse-Midwives, also called CNM's, are growing in numbers and for good reason. They offer an alternative to women who want something different in a practitioner for obstetric and gynecologic services.
CNMs go through rigorous training to earn their credentials. After completing their nursing education they continue in graduate studies to become a nurse practitioner. Once that is complete they are ready for licensing with their individual state.
Once certification is received a CNM may practice independently or under the direct supervision of a physician. The physician can be either a OB/GYN practitioner specialist or a family practice physician. An independently practicing CNM will work alone or with other midwives and use physicians for consultation.
CNMs do well-woman care for all ages as well as prenatal care and the delivery of newborns. Whether your teenage daughter needs her first pelvic exam and pap test to be done annually, or you are looking for help with hormone replacement therapy during menopause, a CNM can meet your needs.
Nurse-midwives are trained in the care of women only and that specialty makes them highly skilled in their field of expertise. And each CNM may have their own preference in the type of work they do. One CNM may be most interested in breast health and the aging woman while another may deal mostly with delivering babies.
And all CNMs do not do prenatal and delivery care. Some only practice as a nurse practitioner in an office setting with a physician and concentrate on women's health care in general. The variety is huge in what a CNM may do.
Not all nurse-midwives must tend to low-risk pregnant women either. With the proper backup and consultation, CNMs can handle higher risk women like those with preterm labor and even ones who carry twins.
Some CNMs will deliver babies in a hospital and some can deliver in birth centers or at home. What the options are really depends on state law and what midwives are choosing to do. There are no set rules in how a CNM wants to practice or with whom. Even moving to another state can change practice options considerably.
CNMs can also teach childbirth education classes and assist with breasteeding help with newborn babies. They are usually most skilled in alternative health care and know best about these approaches to health.
What a CNM needs to do to stay current in education is attend various workshops and seminars as continuing education. This assures that they are staying up-to-date with changes in the health care field and treatment of illness.
Nurse-midwives also are able to write prescriptions for medications, including controlled substances like narcotics. Women can need these medications for a variety of health care reasons and CNMs can meet those needs.
For women's health care, a CNM can meet any need like a physician can, just short of performing surgery which they are not allowed to do since they are not trained in that skill.
What they can do beyond health care is give more time during appointments and offer more compassion for they may have experienced what you have and you have a shared life experience together.
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