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Your Midwifery Questions Answered

Our midwives provide answers to some of the questions that patients most frequently ask. Please give us a call if there are any additional questions that we can help to answer.

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In short, midwives do everything that an OB would do in delivery, with the exception of surgical procedures.

The Rochester Regional Health Midwives work closely with expert OB/GYN physicians throughout our health system. A physician is physically present in the labor and delivery area 24/7 for consultation and medical intervention as needed.

Should you need a cesarean section, the midwife will remain with you during surgery and continue to support you during your postpartum hospital stay. Our Rochester Regional Health Childbirth Centers support skin-to-skin bonding between mothers and their babies in the operating room.

If issues arise at any time during prenatal or gynecologic care, collaborating physicians are also available for consultation or referral.

Our goal is to empower and educate you to have the kind of pregnancy and birth you desire. There is no 'right birth' for all women. We will support you in developing a birth plan and will partner with you to make that plan a reality while keeping in mind the dynamic nature of birth.

Although we do not currently offer water births, the Rochester Regional Childbirth Centers have Jacuzzis and showers for your comfort during labor. Pain medication and epidurals are available for pain relief if needed or desired. We encourage you to give birth in the position and manner that works best for you!

Rochester Regional Health’s Midwives deliver at our beautiful birthing centers at Rochester General Hospital and Newark-Wayne Community Hospital.

We recommend touring your selected birthing center before it is time to give birth. For more information or to sign up for a tour, please call (585) 922-5465 for RGH or (315) 332-2230 for Newark-Wayne Community Hospital.

If you choose to work with a midwife, your baby will be delivered by one of the Rochester Regional Midwives. A member of the Midwifery Team is on call 24/7 at RGH. We highly recommend all patients of the Midwifery Group attend a Meet the Midwivesat some point prior to or during their pregnancy so they can familiarize themselves with midwife prior to delivery.

Some women want a ‘private birth’ and desire only their spouse or partner to be present, in addition to their midwife. Other women labor more effectively and confidently with the support of their family and friends.

Currently, the hospital limits the total number of support people in the room at any time to four for safety considerations (excluding midwives, OBs, and doulas).

Our Rochester Regional Health Midwives and Labor & Delivery Nurses are experienced and trained in breastfeeding support. Our birthing centers also have Certified Lactation Consultants available every day of the week to assist breastfeeding mothers.

Breastfeeding has indisputable physical and psychological benefits for mother and baby. We encourage all mothers to breastfeed their babies unless a medical condition prevents it. Although breastfeeding is natural, it does not necessarily come naturally to all mothers and babies. We will work with you to help you successfully breastfeed your baby!

The Rochester Regional Health Midwifery Group offers a new kind of prenatal care called CenteringPregnancy. Taking place in a group setting, CenteringPregnancy combines pregnancy and childbirth education, healthy snacks, extra time with your provider, and support for you and your new baby.

CenteringPregnancy is associated with better pregnancy outcomes—pregnancies are more likely to go to full term, and babies are more likely to achieve a healthy birth weight. Moms are armed with a ton of education about healthy choices and danger signs, so they can take better care of themselves and recognize when something is not right.

Some things are the same; for instance, you get the same number of prenatal care assessments, the same prenatal screening tests, and the same pregnancy supervision as you do in traditional prenatal care. What’s different? Time, knowledge and support, that’s what. You get way more time with your provider. Your time is valued – CenteringPregnancy appointments always start and end on time and you know your appointment dates and times from the very beginning of pregnancy (so you can plan ahead with your job and family). 

You get tons of pregnancy-specific education. Participants learn more about their pregnancies, breastfeeding, childbirth, pain management, nutrition and much, much more—all without going to extra appointments. You also get one very important thing for a healthy pregnancy that medical providers cannot give: support from other women who are going through the same thing as you are.

Answer: In short, yes! This is true. With normal results, you do not need an annual cervical cancer screening with the Papanicolaou test—commonly called a pap test or the more outdated “pap smear.” We now recommend those 21 to 30 years old to have screening every 3 years, 30 to 65 years old will be screened every 5 years, and 65 and older no longer need screening. These recommendations change with abnormal results, so be aware that your individualized plan may vary.

We do, however, recommend visiting your midwife every year for a well-woman visit. Depending on your age, there are different recommended wellness screens that need to be done, and by seeing you every year we can ensure you are getting the care and testing needed.

midwife is an independent health care provider who specializes in prenatal and postpartum care, sexual and reproductive health, and of course, labor and birth! We have masters-level education, board certification and a state license to practice. We see patients in the clinic for women’s health annual check-ups, for birth control management, as well as for prenatal and postpartum care. At our hospital practice we admit clients, manage their labors and help them deliver their babies safely. We also prescribe medications, insert intrauterine devices (IUDs) and implants, provide breastfeeding support and even perform circumcisions. We work in a team with our labor and delivery nurses and our OB/GYN surgeon colleagues, who are available 24/7. A midwife’s services are covered by insurance.

A doula can also be an important member of your labor team! A doula is someone who provides continuous support during labor and birth. Doula training varies and doulas do not make clinical decisions. Labor support could include many things: back-rubbing, hand-holding, suggesting position changes and providing verbal encouragement. A doula can stay with you while your partner or other support person needs a break. A doula usually has experience with other births and can also help explain things. A doula’s services may not be covered by insurance, though sometimes newer doulas are willing to take on clients for free or a reduced fee. In addition, you may choose a friend or family member to serve in a doula-like role.

Both midwifery-led care and doula support have been shown to improve birth outcomes and experiences. It’s a team approach and our clients and their families are always at the center of that team!
Midwifery Close To Home
Our expert team of providers are conveniently located throughout the Rochester and Western New York area, so exceptional women's care is never far.
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