We are pleased to offer women another option in women's health care provided by a team of Certified Nurse-Midwives at the Olson Center. Today's Nurse-Midwives provide personal, family-centered care which focuses on health and wellness.
A Certified Nurse-Midwife is educated in the fields of nursing and midwifery. To become certified, a registered nurse must complete an additional one to two years of study in a nationally accredited school of nurse-midwifery and pass a national examination given by the American College of Nurse-Midwives. In addition, they are licensed by the State of Nebraska as both a Registered Nurse and as a Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM). All of the Nurse-Midwives at the Olson Center for Women's Health have a minimum of a Master's degree.
What Services Does a Nurse-Midwife Offer?
Prenatal Care
Complete health care for the pregnant woman
Healthy pregnancy counseling including nutrition and exercise
Relaxed atmosphere providing time for questions and concerns
Family oriented; father and siblings are encouraged to attend
Childbirth, sibling, breast-feeding, and infant care classes are available
Preconceptional Counseling
Review of past medical and genetic history
Immunization status
Nutrition and exercise counseling
Prenatal vitamins
Pregnancy testing
Well-Woman Care
Annual physical exams and pap smears
Family planning and contraceptive counseling
Gynecologic care and counseling
Perimenopause and menopausal care
Hormone replacement therapy
Weight control and smoking cessation
Adolescent care
General health education
Labor and Birth Options
Your own per UNMC Community Health Center "Birth Plan" including (but not limited to) any of the following:
Water therapy
Natural pain relief
Pain medication and/or epidural if needed
No episiotomy*
No IV*
Non-continuous fetal monitoring*
Family involvement at birth
* unless determined medically necessary
Postpartum Care
Care of the mother after delivery, including 2 week and 6 week checkups
Breast-feeding education and support
Where Will I Have My Baby?
Most births occur in a "home like" LDR (Labor, Delivery, and Recovery). In the event that Labor & Delivery is full, women are transferred to private postpartum rooms with sleeper sofas for their partner/spouse. Free tours are available at The Nebraska Medical Center.
Future plans include the option of an out-of-hospital birthing center for low-risk pregnancies.
The State of Nebraska does not allow Nurse-Midwives to attend home births.
What If A Problem Arises?
Nurse-Midwives work in a collaborative agreement with several obstetricians. They also work closely with nurses and other health care professionals.
If a complication occurs, the Nurse-Midwife will consult with a collaborative physician, assuring you of the highest quality of care.
For more informational on the role of the nurse midwife, click on the following link:
