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www.FredericksburgParent.NET 33 DOES CHOOSING A MIDWIFE MEAN I HAVE TO HAVE A COMPLETELY NATURAL BIRTH? Not at all. When you give birth at Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center, you have so much expertise at your disposal to ensure your birthing experience meets your wish- es while also keeping you and baby safe. Midwives offer an added personal touch at our state-of-the-art, private-room facility. They can provide coaching and care to help you try to avoid interventions, if that is your wish. However, you can also have the peace of mind that a full array of physicians and an on-site Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) are available if the need arises. Jordan points out that no birth goes 100 percent according to plan, and she sees the role of midwives as helping moms make educated choices as their labor progresses. If an epidural, an induction or even a C-section becomes a necessary choice along that path, your midwife is there to help you communicate your desires to your care team, while continuing to provide personalized care and coaching throughout your hospital stay. "A natural birth can mean different things to different people," Jordan said. "Midwives, and the entire staff at Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center, support you wherever you feel you are in your birth experience." HOW DOES A MIDWIFE WORK WITH AN OB/GYN? Obstetrician-Gynecologists, or OB/GYNs are physicians with medical degrees. Jordan said midwives always collaborate with OB/GYNs in the hospital setting. For a low- risk pregnancy, the midwife might care for the patient throughout the complete birthing process. Women with higher-risk pregnancies can still benefit from the midwifery approach to care, but they can also rest assured that a midwife will be collaborating with an OB/ GYN and will work with that physician to ensure both mother and baby get the care they need. Only OB/GYNs can perform major surgeries such as C-sections, but in the event of an emergency C-section, Jordan said, a midwife can still accompany a woman to the operating room, continue to advocate for her and care for her through recovery. Midwives with the right training can first-assist on C-sections, she said. Communication is a key component of the care we provide at Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center, so every member of your labor and delivery team— your nurse, your midwife, your OB/GYN—will work together to ensure you and your baby get the best care. Sponsored Material Midwives and Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center Share a Goal: Compassionate, Personalized Care The labor and delivery experience at Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center is designed with many of the mom- and-baby-centered aspects midwives emphasize in mind. • Our labor-and-delivery rooms have space for your partner to stay with you, and baby will be in the room by your bedside 24 hours a day if that is your wish. (Our nursery is also available when mom needs rest.) • Mom-and-baby bonding is a priority here. Post-birth care is done at your bedside. • Our method of care allows nurses and midwives to spend more time in your room when you need coaching, support or advice. • SRMC offers low-intervention birthing options, such as birthing balls and peanut balls. While we do not permit water births, we do have a whirlpool available for pain management during labor. Stay tuned to the FredParent Facebook page during the month of February for a video inter- view with a member of the birthing care team at Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center. Call 1-888-685-1610 or go to spotsrmc.com/calendar to schedule a free tour of our facility and meet the team that will play a role in their birth experience. The experienced staff at Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center is commi ed to delivering the highest quality care through our women's and children's services and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).