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 CNM islicensed by the state
and has been certified by a national examination of the American
College of Nurse-Midwives. She has 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 one of our board-certified OB/GYN
physician during the course of their pregnancies, either for
a routine visit or perhaps for an ultrasound. Our doctors and
midwife 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
midwife 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
midwife and physicians of The Woman's Place share time on call,
and therefore your baby might be delivered by any one of the
three providers in our office. Occasionally another obstetrician
in the community may provide backup coverage for the midwife
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,
www.midwife.org.
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