JUL 17 45133

Family Birth Center250 Bon Air Road

Greenbrae, CA 94904 1-415-925-7575

FAMILY BIRTH CENTER

Normal, low-risk births have equally good fetal and maternal outcomes whether attended by a midwife or an OB/GYN. Both certified nurse midwives (CNM) and physicians are licensed, highly trained healthcare providers. Women who deliver at Marin General Hospital can choose a CNM or an OB/GYN for their delivery. In either case, their delivery will be supported by the immediate availability of a comprehensive team of experts able to act quickly should an emergency develop.

If you are having a low-risk pregnancy, desire minimal interventions, and anticipate having a vaginal birth, a midwife could be a good choice for you. Not every one understands the role a midwife plays, and there are many misconceptions about what they do.

Myths and Misconceptions—Get the Facts!

MYTH: If Anything Goes Wrong, There Won’t Be A Doctor Around.

At Marin General Hospital, every laboring woman has immediate access to:

• Access to a 24/7 onsite OB/GYN, along with an anesthesiologist, and a dedicated operating room and team, if needed, for a C-section

• Fully equipped Level 2 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Midwife Myths and Misconceptions

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As one of the only hospitals in Marin and San Francisco Counties with both midwives and OB/GYNs onsite, 24/7, Marin General Hospital empowers women to choose the type of delivery they prefer.

• 24/7 onsite pediatric hospitalists

• Access to neonatologists and perinatologists through our collaboration with UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital

The Family Birth Center at Marin General Hospital follows specific guidelines regarding when a midwife needs to consult, collaborate and/or co-manage, or transfer care to a physician. Both CNMs and OB/GYNs are available around the clock. In the event of a complication, CNMs are trained to help you with medical decisions and work closely with a physician. If an emergency C-section is necessary, midwives are trained to assist the operating physician in the OR and can stay involved with your care.

MYTH: Midwives Aren’t Regulated Like Physicians.

Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM) are licensed registered nurses who trained at an accredited nursing school and went on to receive a Master’s Degree from an accredited program. They are also required to receive continued education and be up to date on the latest procedures and evidence-based care. All of the midwives who deliver at Marin General Hospital are certified by the American College of Nurse Midwives, an organization that oversees certification of nurse midwives throughout the country.

MYTH: Midwives Only Deliver in Homes.

Midwives can assist with births in a home or hospital setting. Our Prima Medical Foundation midwives deliver at Marin General Hospital and collaborate as needed with the physicians, nurses, and other clinicians there.

MYTH: Midwives Won’t Administer Pain Medication.

Both our midwives and physicians work with each woman individually to honor her preferences regarding pain relief. Epidurals and other forms of pain relief, including nitrous oxide, are available. Our Family Birth Center team excels at supporting women who opt for a natural labor. We encourage expectant women to fill out a Birth Preferences Plan so that we can best fulfill their wishes for labor and delivery.

MYTH: A VBAC Is Too Complex For A MidwifeTo Handle.

If you are hoping for a vaginal birth after a previous cesarean (VBAC), you’ve come to the right place. Marin General Hospital’s rate of successful VBACs is three times higher than the national average. Midwives assist many of our VBACs. It is important to note that according to a 2017 Cochrane Review involving over 17,000 mothers and babies, women who use midwives are less likely to receive medical interventions.

MYTH: Midwives And Doulas Are The Same Thing.

CNMs are medical professionals, trained to deliver babies. Doulas are non-medical professionals who provide physical and emotional support to laboring women but do not play a clinical role. Marin General Hospital welcomes doulas as part of a woman’s Birth Preferences Plan.

MYTH: Midwives Are Only Needed If You’re Pregnant.

The word midwife means “with woman.” A midwife is trained to care for a woman through her reproductive life and beyond. When a woman is pregnant, she can look to her midwife for prenatal care, labor and

delivery care, and postpartum follow-up. A CNM also provides well-woman gynecological care, including pap smears and breast cancer screenings.

If you’re interested in having a midwife-assisted delivery at Marin General Hospital, visit our website at www.maringeneral.org/find-a-doctor and enter “midwife” into the search bar.