What does a Midwife Nurse do?
- Care for women from adolescence throughout their lives
- Care for pregnant women
- Deliver babies
- Care for new mothers and their infants
- Conduct annual well women exams
- Prescribe contraception
- Order necessary tests and lab work
- Counsel women on a variety of health topics
Certified Nurse Midwifes (CNM) are highly specialized, advance practice nurses who specialize in women’s health issues. The midwife nurse practice encompasses all aspects of caring for women from adolescence and beyond menopause. A midwife nurse specializes in dealing with women during pregnancy, childbirth, and IMMEDIATELY after childbirth. Certified nurse midwives conduct annual well women exams, prescribe contraception, order necessary tests and lab work, and counsel women patients on various health issues. Often midwives work with an obstetrician and gynecologist.
In the United States, certified midwives are accredited through one of the 40 American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) programs. They are certified through the ACNM’s National Certification Examination. Most nurse-midwives are registered nurses first, and then further their education and experience with a nurse midwife program. Most certified nurse midwives graduate as a Master’s degree level.
Partners In Women’s Health Care’s certified nurse midwife is Patsy Harman, CNM. Patsy specializes in helping patients with chronic pelvic pain, endometriosis, bio-identical and standard hormone therapy for menopause, and sexual difficulties. She takes the time to not ONLY consult with her patients, but to get to know them.
For the past twenty years, Patsy has been a nurse midwife on the faculty of Ohio State University, Case Western Reserve University, and WVU. Patsy helps with preconception planning and early OB, assisting couples to get started with a healthy pregnancy, including nutrition and special needs. She provides prenatal care up through the first trimester helping patients find and choose an OB provider for their delivery.
Patsy has been published in “The Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health” and she is a regular speaker at national midwifery conventions around the country. Recently she published her first book, The Blue Cotton Gown, about her struggles to help women as a midwife nurse.
If you would like to schedule an appointment with Patsy Harman, CNM, fill out our scheduling form or call us.
