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Midwifery Services at GW Hospital

Is natural childbirth the best choice for you?
Midwifery Services: The Best of Both Worlds for Natural Childbirth

For women seeking natural, unmedicated childbirth, the Midwifery Services at GW Hospital offer the best of both worlds—natural childbirth with a certified nurse midwife in a hospital environment.

Our collaborative model of care, unique in the DC Metro area, offers women a natural childbirth experience with the backup of medical staff and technology. With a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and the benefits of an academic medical center, expectant mothers and newborns have access to specialists, medication and the full range of obstetrical and neonatal services.

What Certified Nurse Midwives Offer
Midwives assist women in having a natural, vaginal birth without pain medication. A certified nurse midwife (CNM) is a specially trained advanced-practice nurse who holds a master’s degree.

CNMs are qualified to diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medication and manage patient care. Each midwife specializes in providing pregnancy, labor, delivery and postpartum care, as well as full-scope gynecological care. The comprehensive services women receive include nutrition and lifestyle counseling, blood work, sonograms, and regular checkups throughout the pregnancy.

Choosing Natural Childbirth
Midwifery services are recommended for women who are in excellent health, committed to natural birth, and are willing to embrace the program’s model of care.

The Benefits of Natural Childbirth at GW Hospital

The Midwifery Services at GW Hospital optimize a woman’s chances of a natural vaginal delivery. More than 95 percent*of patients who choose to deliver with the midwives deliver vaginally. The less than 5 percent* cesarean section rate is remarkable, compared to the national average of 33 percent†.

Of their patients who deliver vaginally, 80 percent do so without intervention, such as pain medications or other medical procedures. When medical intervention is required, GW Hospital’s obstetric, anesthesia and neonatal services are standing by.

* Statistic is from July 2010–September 2011
† Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Center for Health Statistics

Take A Prenatal Online Tour

Take an online tour of the maternity Unit at The George Washington University Hospital.

Note: The information on this Web site is provided as general health guidelines and may not be applicable to your particular health condition. Your individual health status and any required medical treatments can only be properly addressed by a professional healthcare provider of your choice. Remember: There is no adequate substitution for a personal consultation with your physician. Neither The George Washington University Hospital, or any of their affiliates, nor any contributors shall have any liability for the content or any errors or omissions in the information provided by this Web site.
 
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