Women's Health

Midwifery

Midwifery offers personalized care through pregnancy, birth and beyond. Our team supports families with prenatal, birth, postpartum and well-woman care, focusing on informed choices and a caring approach.

Midwifery is a patient-centered specialty that supports people through pregnancy, labor, birth, postpartum recovery, and newborn care. At TidalHealth, our team emphasizes individualized, evidence-based care that respects natural birth processes while recognizing when medical intervention or a specialist's guidance is needed.

Scope of Care

  • Prenatal and postpartum care
  • Support during labor and birth
  • Breastfeeding assistance
  • Newborn checks
  • Family planning and contraception counseling
  • Routine well-woman care, including cervical screenings

Our midwives monitor maternal and fetal health, encourage healthy pregnancy habits, and help create a birth plan that fits your needs. We are here to answer your questions and provide guidance every step of the way.

Who Benefits from Midwifery Care?

Midwifery care is well-suited for those seeking low- to moderate-risk pregnancy care with an emphasis on consistent support, education, and one-on-one attention. Our midwives also provide support during annual well-woman visits and contraception appointments. If higher-risk factors develop, we work closely with obstetricians and other specialists to help keep you and your baby safe.

A Team-Based, Relationship-Focused Approach

Our midwives are part of a collaborative care team that may include obstetricians, pediatricians, nurses, lactation consultants, mental health professionals, and social workers. We value shared decision-making, culturally sensitive care, and support for your informed choices throughout your care. We always strive to build personal, trusting relationships with every family we serve.

Care Settings and Midwife Qualifications

At TidalHealth, midwives care for families in hospitals and in an outpatient setting, based on practitioner type and your preferences. Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) are licensed nurses with advanced midwifery training who often practice in hospitals and birth centers. Other midwife credentials, like certified professional midwives and licensed midwives, may focus on other care settings. Our team will work with you to find the right fit for your needs.

When to Choose Midwifery

Midwifery is ideal for people who want a personalized connection with their clinician, consistent support through labor and birth, and a focus on natural birth when possible. If a pregnancy becomes high risk, our midwives will collaborate with specialists to ensure you and your family receive timely and appropriate care.

What exactly does a midwife do?
Midwives at TidalHealth provide care before, during, and after pregnancy. This includes prenatal visits, support during labor and birth, postpartum follow-up, newborn assessments, breastfeeding help, and contraception counseling. Our team focuses on monitoring normal pregnancy and birth, educating families, and working with specialists when needed.

How is a midwife different from an obstetrician?
Obstetricians are physicians trained to manage both routine and high-risk pregnancies and can perform surgeries such as cesarean births. Midwives offer care for low- to moderate-risk pregnancies, focusing on support for physiologic birth and low-intervention approaches. If your needs change, our midwives work closely with obstetricians to ensure safe, continuous care.

Are births with midwives safe?
For people with low-risk pregnancies, care with midwives is linked to low rates of intervention and outcomes that are as good as or better than standard obstetric care. Safety depends on thorough screening, prompt transfers if complications arise, and access to emergency care when needed.

Can TidalHealth's midwives deliver in hospitals?
TidalHealth midwives deliver babies in our hospitals. Our team will help you understand your options.

Will my midwife perform a cesarean if needed?
Midwives do not perform cesarean surgeries themselves. If a cesarean is necessary, your midwife will transfer your care to a TidalHealth obstetrician, who will do the surgery. Your midwife will continue to support you as part of your care team.

How do I know if midwifery care is right for me?
Consider midwifery if you want ongoing care, personalized support throughout labor, a focus on normal birth, and shared decision-making. Discuss your medical history with a TidalHealth midwife to see if it is a good fit. If risk factors arise, our team will involve specialists as needed.

What pain relief options are available with midwives?
Pain relief options depend on where you give birth. In hospitals, our midwives can help arrange epidurals and other medical pain relief with the anesthesia team. Midwives also support natural options, like position changes, water therapy, massage, breathing techniques, and continuous encouragement during labor.

Will my insurance cover midwifery care?
Coverage depends on your insurance plan, the healthcare practitioner, and your state. Many insurance plans cover certified nurse-midwives and their services in hospitals. Please check with your insurer and ask our team about your options.

What happens after birth — do midwives provide postpartum care?
Yes. TidalHealth midwives provide postpartum visits to check on your recovery, mental health, breastfeeding, and care for your newborn. We also offer advice about healing, family planning, emotional support, and can connect you with community resources.

What should I bring to my first appointment with a midwife?
Please bring your medical history, a list of any medicines you take, past birth records if you have them, and any questions you have about preferences or your birth plan. We will talk through your health and help you plan for pregnancy, birth, and beyond.