Nurse-midwives teach and answer questions about proper diets, personal hygiene, exercise, sleep and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They provide preconception counseling, family planning services, gynecological care, annual pelvic and breast examinations, Pap tests and screening and treatment for infections. They also care for older women and can provide hormone replacement therapy.
During pregnancy, the nurse-midwife regularly monitors the health of you and your baby. During labor, the nurse-midwife evaluates your progress and is there to offer emotional support. You can expect your nurse-midwife to listen to your needs and to involve your family to the fullest extent possible. Follow-up care begins immediately after birth, as the nurse-midwife examines the newborn, provides advice on breast feeding and infant care and ensures that the woman maintains her health after childbirth.
All nurse-midwives consult with physicians if there is a problem that may put a woman at risk. Prescriptions for medications and vitamins can be written by nurse-midwives. Nurse-midwifery care is covered by private insurance carriers, Medicare, Medicaid and many managed care programs.