An entire team of expert and specialized staff work together to serve you within the Family Birthplace.

Certified Nurse Midwives 
Certified Nurse Midwives are registered nurses with advanced training, education and certification in women's health issues. Certified Nurse Midwives provide preconception, maternity and postpartum care. They focus on the importance of patient participation, patient and family education and highly supportive care. Our nurse midwives provide 24/7 in-house coverage for the Family Birthplace. They assess all patients when they arrive at Labor and Delivery, provide active labor support and delivery, as well as postpartum evaluation.

Family Physicians
Family Physicians are medical doctors who are trained to care for people of all ages. Women who are considering pregnancy can see a family physician for their pre-conception care, prenatal care and counseling and beyond. Family physicians also take care of the medical needs of infants, children and your entire family. Prenatal care is offered by family physicians in most Mayo Clinic Health System - Franciscan Healthcare locations. Family physicians transfer care to the Ob/Gyn department at about 36 weeks of pregnancy. The Ob/Gyn Delivery Team provides care for the delivery.  

The La Crosse–Mayo Family Medicine Residency program, located at the Mayo Clinic Health System Family Health Clinic in La Crosse, has both residents and faculty who deliver babies. One-on-one education with lengthy appointments are offered by residents, with faculty members participating often, so the patient receives the benefit of both the resident and highly experienced physician. Residents and faculty physicians make every effort to be available to deliver the babies of their own patients.

Obstetrician-gynecologists 
Physicians who have completed specialty training in obstetrics and gynecology are commonly referred to as Obstetricians, Ob-Gyns, or simply OBs. They specialize in normal and high-risk pregnancies, disorders of the reproductive system, breast health, and preventive medicine including sexual function and contraception. Ob-gyn physicians are specially trained to handle high-risk situations and including vaginal deliveries and cesarean sections. Our Ob-gyn physicians serve as back-up for all deliveries and are on-call for consultation.

Perinatologists/Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialists
Physicians who specialize in the care of your baby before he or she is born are called perinatologists, or maternal-fetal specialists. They focus on managing health concerns of the mother and fetus prior to, during, and shortly after pregnancy. Maternal–fetal medicine specialists are specialists within the field of obstetrics.

Lactation Consultants 
International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) are allied health care providers who meet rigorous educational requirements to provide quality breastfeeding assistance to babies and mothers. Our Lactation Consultants are graduates of UCLA's Lactation Educator Training Program and have more than 6,000 hours of teaching and consulting with breastfeeding mothers and babies. They are available to talk with you during your pregnancy and/or after your baby is born. If you have any questions about the Lactation Support Program, please call 608-785-0940, extension 2376.

Maternity Counselors 
Maternity Counselors will be your guide and navigator through your pregnancy, as well as to provide education that complements and expands upon the information shared by your health care provider. They are registered nurses who are specially trained in pregnancy and childbirth. They will assist you in preparing your tailored birth plan if you wish and answer all your questions.