Midwives: Providing care beyond childbirth

Although the term midwife was historically defined as a person who assists women during childbirth, modern midwives specialize in both obstetric and gynecologic care.

“We provide routine gynecologic care throughout a patient’s lifespan, from adolescence to postmenopause, with a focus on having a healthy lifestyle,” says Alyssa Martsching, CNM, ARNP, a certified nurse-midwife with MultiCare Rockwood Clinic OB/GYN & Midwifery Center.

That means in addition to providing care during pregnancy and childbirth, midwives see patients for annual gynecologic exams and preventive care. They can help with menstrual problems, birth control, pelvic infections, incontinence and menopause symptom management, among many other conditions.

“Midwives take care of people assigned female at birth, including those who do not identify as women,” says Nadia Crane, CNM, ARNP, (she/they), a certified nurse-midwife with MultiCare Women’s Center – Auburn. “We are inclusive providers who take care of all people who need our services.”

Everyone has their own unique needs. Midwives understand that and are known for personalizing a patient’s care around those needs.

“We tend to be able to take longer appointment times, which allows us to spend more time getting to know our patients,” Martsching says. “We provide holistic care, not just for what is going on at the moment.”

A natural approach to low-risk health care

Midwives are also known to offer more natural approaches to care, when appropriate.

“As midwives, we explore beyond the traditional realm of medical options,” Martsching explains. “During pregnancy, that might mean using papaya enzymes instead of Tums for heartburn, or using pressure points and bands instead of medication for nausea. Or for someone going through menopause, we may explore herbs, acupressure or acupuncture to manage symptoms, in addition to offering traditional Western medicine options.”

While midwives generally focus on low-risk care, if a condition becomes complicated, high risk or requires surgical intervention, they will navigate a patient’s care appropriately and refer to our physician partners.

Empowering patients to be drivers of their care

“I encourage my patients to advocate for themselves and ask questions like ‘What are the benefits? What are the risks?’” Crane says. “I want to give the right amount of information so they can be empowered to make decisions about their health care and not feel like decisions are being made for them.”

Crane says she likes to remind her patients that they can always change their minds. Whether that means changing their birth plan or care journey, going on or off certain medications or changing the type of birth control they’re on.

“They are the drivers of their care; they know their bodies and how they feel,” Crane adds.

Establishing care with a nurse-midwife allows you to form a relationship with a trusted care provider, who can care for you throughout all stages of your life.

“Our goal is to make sure our patients feel supported in their health care,” Martsching says. “We’re here to provide a knowledge base that patients can feel comfortable tapping into, knowing the options they have for their care.”