Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) is celebrating midwives during National Midwifery Week (Oct. 2-8), which was created by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) to recognize midwives and midwife-led care.
During National Midwifery Week, LRMC is hosting the following events:
- Meet the Midwives tables outside Dining Facility at LRMC from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Oct. 4.
- Birth Story Share at the Brit Bar on Ramstein Air Base from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., Oct. 5.
- Complimentary gift bags for all newborns delivered by midwives at the LRMC Labor and Delivery Unit from Oct. 2-8.
Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) are independent, licensed healthcare providers who are experts in normal, physiologic birth. LRMC currently has six midwives on staff. LRMC midwives have a combined 95 years of experience and have delivered over 6,000 babies, assisting service members and their families from Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
“CNMs provide primary care services, annual exams and reproductive care such as prescribing contraception and treating some gynecologic concerns,” said Air Force Maj. Brittany Hannigan, chief of midwifery services, OB/GYN Clinic. “We are known for attending births, but we also educate patients about pregnancy, nutrition, parenting and newborn care.”
While midwives focus on OB care, they can also provide well-women exams, gynecologic, family planning and menopausal care.
A CNM is a registered nurse who has also completed either a master’s or doctoral degree at an accredited nurse-midwives program and passed ACNM’s national certification exam. ACNM is the professional association that represents CNMs and certified midwives (CMs) in the United States.
“CNMs are leaders in providing and emphasizing holistic and wellness-oriented care,” said Air Force Maj. Stephanie Shivers, officer in charge, OB/GYN Clinic, LRMC. “We are proud to honor their excellent patient care as a critical part of the LRMC Labor and Delivery Unit.”
There are approximately 7,750 board-certified midwives in the United States, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. About 100 are active-duty midwives. The National Center for Health Statistics notes that the percentage of births attended by midwives has increased every year since 1989.
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