At University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center, trending now in the birthing department are certified nurse-midwives
By Laura Briedis
Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes teamwork to deliver a baby into the world.
At University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center, the medical team is comprised of board-certified obstetricians, pediatricians, neonatologists, anesthesiologists, nurses and midwives, as well as certified childbirth instructors, lactation specialists and social workers.
Here, high-tech is coupled with high-touch, as the staff helps nurture the mother-child bond from the moment the baby is born. And leading the charge are midwives, who have the perfect combination of medical expertise and a caring demeanor.
As part of the hospital’s second phase expansion last summer focusing on women’s health, this niche service is embedded in The Steve and Loree Potash Women & Newborn Center, which occupies an entire floor of the UH Ahuja Medical Center South Pavilion.
“Midwifery is trending right now as patients are looking outside a very medicalized approach to pregnancy,” says Amy Bertram, a certified nurse-midwife who has been interested in helping other women ever since she wrote a book in preschool titled Having Babies. “Patients are looking for more wellness support in all of heath care, but especially in maternity care.”
For those women who are low risk and envision a more natural and holistic birthing journey, University Hospitals’ certified nurse-midwives assist women during prenatal, labor and delivery, and postpartum—offering a more personalized experience for mothers and their babies.
“We average about 100 births a month at UH Ahuja Medical Center, and about half of those are attended by midwives,” Amy says. “We all work together as a team following the dyad model of health care, resulting in the most successful outcomes. The physicians view the midwives as experts in normal vaginal delivery and low-risk labor management.”
“Midwives manage the labor, but are a little more high-touch, low-intervention,” she adds. “For patients who want non-pharmacologic treatment options for pain management, we have hydrotherapy tubs and inflatable yoga balls and peanut balls to help with comfort and positioning during labor. Hydrotherapy helps with pain management and helps the body relax between contractions.”
Midwives work closely with physicians, so if there are more complex issues that arise during labor, there are two C-section operating suites just down the hall from the labor and delivery rooms.
“Even if one of my patients needs advanced care, I can scrub into the operating room as the first assistant to help during a C-section or just be there for emotional support,” says Amy, noting currently there are seven midwives at UH Ahuja Medical Center and that number will increase to nine this fall. “I believe the continuum of care is important.”
“Talk to your doctor or midwife to find out if the Potash Women & Newborn Center might be a good fit for you,” she adds.
The Steve and Loree Potash Women & Newborn Center at UH Ahuja Medical Center is located at 3999 Richmond Road in Beachwood. For more information call 216-400-8109 or visit UHHospitals.org/Ahuja.
Midwives Provide Care Through All Stages of Life
While there may be a misconception that midwives only care for patients during labor and delivery, they care for women throughout their entire lifespan, starting from pre-teen years when they begin menstruation all the way through menopause and beyond.
“I care for women throughout their entire reproductive lifespan,” says Amy Bertram, a certified nurse-midwife at University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center.
Midwives provide comprehensive gynecological care, including birth control management, Pap tests and HPV screening, breast exams and management of menopause. Offering more personalized care, they take a holistic approach considers a woman’s physical, emotional and spiritual health.
If you are interested in consulting with a midwife, call 216-400-8109 for an appointment.