Planning your pregnancy and the birth of your baby starts when you decide who will guide you through this amazing process. Knowing your provider options and choosing the care that fits your life plays a large role in your birthing experience.

While many women believe the best maternity care is found under the care of an obstetrician or family physician, other women who are looking for a more individualized and less routine approach to childbirth find the certified nurse midwife an appealing choice.

“Midwives use their experience, research, and common sense to ensure the safety and well-being of the mother and child,” says Lynne Himmelreich, UI Hospitals and Clinics certified nurse midwife. “The most important thing for a woman and her family is to choose the provider she feels comfortable with, confident in, and who respects her wishes.”

A certified nurse midwife is a registered nurse who has completed an accredited graduate education program and passed a national certification exam. The nurse midwives at UI Hospitals and Clinics practice independently as part of the UI Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Services
In addition to prenatal and maternity care, UI nurse midwives offer breastfeeding support, preconception care, annual physical exams, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment, and family planning services.

Nurse midwife care is available at:

UI Hospitals and Clinics
Pomerantz Family Pavilion
319-356-2294

UI Family Care—North Liberty
3 Lions Drive
319-626-5680

UI Family Care—Southeast Iowa City
1130 Scott Boulevard
319-339-7472

Are you ready?

Is there a baby in your future? Yes? Maybe?

There are several things you can do even BEFORE you become pregnant to help assure a healthy baby.

Ask yourself:

• Am I eating the right foods? During your pregnancy, your body will “demand” folic acid, iron, zinc, vitamin B6, and iron. Get a head start on that demand. Change your nutrition habits now.
• Do I need to lose weight? Extra pounds can disrupt the balance of hormones that influence ovulation and fertilization. Extra fat cells produce a steady stream of estrogen, working almost like a low-dose birth control pill.
• What kind of physical shape am I in? Healthy bodies generally handle pregnancy better than out-of-shape bodies. Moderate exercise can improve your general health and fitness levels.
• Do I smoke? Drink alcohol? Take drugs? The use of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs can affect fertility and your baby during pregnancy.