Midwifery

For centuries, women have looked to midwives for advice and assistance in childbirth. Today’s certified nurse-midwife continues this tradition of personal, family-centered care as a highly skilled health professional drawing on the vast resources of modern medicine.

At Mayo Clinic Health System – Northland in Barron and Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, certified nurse-midwives care for healthy women from early adolescence through the onset of menopause. They specialize in:

• birth control, including IUD insertion
• preconception counseling
• prenatal care
• labor and delivery
• breastfeeding assistance
• postpartum care
• well-women annual exams
• menopause management

“Nurse-midwifery care focuses on disease prevention, health maintenance, and encouraging women to make informed decisions about health care,” explains Melissa Weise, a certified nurse-midwife at Mayo Clinic Health System – Northland.

“Prenatal appointments are typically longer with more time available to discuss pregnancy concerns and build confidence about labor and birth,” adds Weise. “Also, during labor and delivery, a certified nurse-midwife is able to spend one-on-one time with you and your family to provide personalized support.”

Certified nurse-midwives are fully qualified to prescribe and administer medications. They offer patients a wide range of pain management options, including epidurals. Family medicine physicians and obstetricians are readily available for consultation and backup if needed.

To schedule an appointment, call 715-537-6747.