Midwife supports pregnant patient during childbirth.

Midwifery

Midwifery at UVM Health

Midwives at University of Vermont Health provide comprehensive pregnancy and gynecologic services for low-risk pregnancies and partner with physician colleagues to care for high-risk pregnancies. These highly trained professionals offer a holistic approach to care that supports the use of natural treatments whenever possible.

As home to the second oldest midwife program in the United States, UVM Health is a leading choice for women seeking a provider who balances their medical and emotional needs. Our midwives are experts in partnering with you to tailor your care. They offer extensive experience, deep compassion and personalized support for your health and well-being.

Why Choose UVM Health?

When you come to us for midwifery care, you can expect:

Expertise: Our certified nurse midwives (CNMs) are registered nurses who receive certification through the American Midwifery Certification Board. CNM certification is rigorous and ensures we meet the highest standards for nursing and midwifery.
Comprehensive services: Midwives provide pregnancy and childbirth care, breastfeeding support and education to help you care for your infant. They also offer routine gynecology and family planning services. From adolescence through menopause and beyond, our CNMs provide expert guidance.
Advanced treatment when needed: Our CNMs work with obstetrician-gynecologists (OB-GYNs) who are available if you need advanced medical support. We also coordinate in-network referrals to OB-GYN subspecialists in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, maternal-fetal medicine and urogynecology.
Inclusive care: Our team honors and supports individualized care encouraging active engagement in the choices you have within pregnancy and reproductive health care. We respect all views and welcome patients of all races, ethnicities, abilities, gender identities and sexual orientations.

What Midwives Do

Midwives provide personalized care at our locations throughout Vermont and northern New York. Throughout your pregnancy, your midwife will be by your side to help you make important decisions about prenatal care, labor and birth and postpartum support. Depending on the location, they may provide all your care or work collaboratively with their OB-GYN physician colleagues.

Midwives may provide the following care:

Pregnancy care
24/7 support for labor and delivery
Natural, unmedicated childbirth
Free movement in labor
Water birth, at some locations
Mental health support during and after pregnancy
Breastfeeding support
Reproductive health care, including family planning services
Routine gynecologic care

Our board-certified anesthesiologists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Anesthesiologists can provide anesthesia services or labor epidural services.

Postpartum Care

Pregnancy and birth affect much more than your body. We offer a range of postpartum care resources to support your emotional, social and mental health needs. We offer one-on-one and group support to help you:

Develop coping skills and resilience for your new role
Explore mindfulness-based practices to embrace parenthood
Process past difficult birth experiences
Manage postpartum adjustment disorders, such as postpartum depression
Manage anxiety and depression affected by pregnancy

Awards & Certifications

Newsweek: America's Best Maternity Hospitals

Newsweek has included UVM Health's anchor academic medical center and Level 1 Trauma Center that serves the region on its ranking of America’s Best Maternity Hospitals after assessing the quality of perinatal care, operative obstetrics, patient education and counseling, accommodation and service, and nurse and midwife staffing.