General FAQ's (scroll down for clinical FAQ's)

 What is a midwife?

A Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) is a registered nurse with additional training in women's health care. Our CNMs are licensed by the state and have been certified by a national examination of the American College of Nurse-Midwives. They have many years of experience in a variety of settings. Certified Nurse-Midwives provide a range of services including family planning, routine health screenings such as pap smears, and obstetrical care from conception through delivery and the postpartum period. Midwives can also assist women during menopause with hormone replacement therapy or alternative treatments, and can treat common infections such as bladder infections, mastitis, and vaginal infections. In California, midwives can prescribe medications and furnish medical devices.

The word "midwife" comes from an Old English word meaning "with woman". At The Woman's Place we believe in spending time with each and every woman. Whereas many obstetrical practices schedule eight patients an hour, we prefer for our patients not to feel rushed. We schedule our first OB visits for an entire hour, and follow-up visits as well as gynecology visits for thirty minutes. We want you to have the opportunity to have your questions answered and to get to know you.

When would I see a doctor?

Our obstetrical patients will meet both of our board-certified OB/GYN physicians during the course of their pregnancies, either for a routine visit or perhaps for an ultrasound. Our doctors and midwives all share time being on call for deliveries as well, so that patients may deliver either with a midwife or a doctor. Of course, while midwives are "specialists in normal" sometimes complications arise requiring the help of a doctor. If these complications arise during labor, a physician is always available promptly if needed.

What if I need help urgently?

Once you have been seen at our office, we are available to help you 24 hours a day. If you have a true emergency that cannot wait for office hours, one of our providers is always on call and can be accessed through our answering service.

What insurance plans do you accept?

Our office accepts TriCare and most PPO insurance plans. We also accept MediCal for pregnancy only. We do not accept MediCal for gynecology, Worker's Comp, or any HMO plans at this time.

What additional services do your doctors provide?

Our physicians provide a full range of gynecologic services. These services include but are not limited to treatment for infertility, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, menopausal management, treatment of abnormal pap smears, and gynecologic surgeries.I'm pregnant.

When should I schedule my first visit?

We prefer to see women in the first trimester of pregnancy, and preferably at least six to seven weeks after the first day of the last period. The reason for this is simply that it is not usually possible to find a heartbeat or often even see the baby on ultrasound before the middle of week six, and often the ultrasound needs to be repeated. At your first visit we will spend time discussing your health history and that of the baby's father, recommend lifestyle changes as necessary, and perform a full physical including a pap smear if you are due for one. In addition we will also draw appropriate bloodwork in our office and provide you with a packet of information on nutrition, recommended reading, and other useful information.

Where will I deliver my baby?

Our midwives and physicians have privileges at St. John's Regional Medical Center and St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospitals. The vast majority of our deliveries occur at Pleasant Valley Hospital.

Who will deliver my baby?

The midwives and physicians of The Woman's Place share time on call, and therefore your baby might be delivered by any one of the four providers in our office. Occasionally another obstetrician in the community may provide backup coverage for the midwives as well.

Can I still have an epidural if I deliver with a midwife?

Yes. While we are very supportive of childbirth without the use of pain medication, we recognize that every situation is different. Sometimes narcotic pain medication or epidural blocks can be very helpful, or may simply be a woman's preference.

Can I have an ultrasound at your office?

The Woman's Place has a state-of-the-art 3D/4D ultrasound machine. For a routine, uncomplicated pregnancy most women have two ultrasounds, one during the first trimester to check for a heartbeat and to confirm the dates of the pregnancy, and a second one around 20 weeks to look closely at the fetal anatomy. Please note, however, that under certain insurance plans, or due to scheduling, we occasionally need to refer patients to an outside facility for ultrasounds.

In addition, we also offer ultrasounds on a cash-pay basis for women who are not established patients in our office. This may be to find out the sex of their baby or simply because she desires more pictures to share with her family. Please call for pricing.

Where can I learn more about midwives?

Please visit the website of the American College of Nurse-Midwives, http://www.midwife.org/.

Clinical FAQ's

What over-the-counter medications are safe in pregnancy?

Click here for a list of medications, as well as advice on the management of colds and flu.

What can I do for nausea in pregnancy?

Click here for our special section on management of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.