Midwives focus on wellness and spend time with you to understand what you want in your birthing experience. Women are encouraged to make informed decisions about their health care. Their families are involved to the degree that the woman desires. Midwives attend to women during labor and birth and are also educated and experienced in prenatal, postpartum and normal newborn care. They also perform annual well-woman examinations.
Physician colleagues are available for consultation, co-management, or for referral as needed.
At The University of Michigan Health System, nurse-midwives have been attending births since 1983. When women choose the services of midwives, they are followed in the prenatal office throughout their pregnancy . The Midwives are available by phone for advise during early labor and will support and manage your delivery once you arrive at the hospital. Again, staff and resident physicians are available as needed. This information is not a tool for self-diagnosis or a substitute for professional care.