What is the midwifery model of care?

Certified nurse midwife Pam Hulstein
holds a baby who was recently born
and came in for a regular checkup.

by Kari Ney

Are you thinking of having a baby? Where are you seeking prenatal care? What is the difference? What are my options?

Kari Ney

So many questions in this exciting time!

Did you know that Promise Community Health Center in Sioux Center has offered the midwifery model of care to northwest Iowa for six years?

The midwifery model of care includes prenatal visits and hands-on care throughout labor, birth and right after. This model results in less chance of complications, fewer interventions and a healthier birth for you and your baby. More and more women in the United States are learning that pregnancy and childbirth are normal, healthy processes, not diseases.

In their 40 combined years of midwifery, Belinda Lassen, certified nurse midwife, and Pam Hulstein, CNM, have safely delivered thousands of babies in following this model of care. In addition to prenatal care, they also provide newborn exams, well-woman health exams, family planning and fertility counseling. Currently, the midwives do not assist with births in the local hospitals but do offer home birth as a safe alternative.

The midwifery care team at Promise encourages women to be partners in their health care and to be educated about their choices when it comes to prenatal and birth care. We welcome detailed questions and respect your informed decisions.

In 2014 alone, 148 women came to Promise seeking the midwife approach for prenatal care. Some women even drive up to 90 miles to come to their prenatal visit with Pam and Belinda. We welcome you to come and find out for yourself what a wonderful difference the midwifery model of care is!

Here are some resources for you to learn more about the midwifery model of care: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1016/j.jmwh.2006.06.006/pdf and cfmidwifery.org/midwifery/faq.aspx.