What is a CNM (Certified Nurse-Midwife)?

Certified nurse-midwives, professional health care providers, are registered nurses who have graduated from one of the midwifery programs accredited by the American College of Nurse Midwives. In addition, nurse-midwives must pass a national certification exam and meet strict requirements by state health agencies. All of the nurse midwives at WWMC have Master’s degrees and are licensed as advanced nurse practitioners in Tennessee.

What is the difference between a Certified Nurse-Midwife and a doctor?

Nurse-midwives at the Women’s Wellness and Maternity Center practice the midwifery model of care.

This model at the Center encompasses:
* Individualized care in an un-rushed environment
* All woman staff providing women with information to make informed decisions and take responsibility for their own health
* Appropriate health screening, risk assessment, and referrals

In addition, pregnant women at the Center will receive:
* A nurse-midwife who will stay with you throughout labor and delivery
* A nurse-midwife who will develop a plan with you for your labor and delivery

A physician’s education and experience is typically focused on complications in pregnancy and delivery. We are fortunate at WWMC to have collaborating physicians who are experienced in complications in pregnancy and delivery, yet who are also supportive of natural childbirth and have a strong commitment to the midwifery model of care. return to top

Who can have their baby at the Center?

Women who are healthy and have healthy pregnancies may deliver at the Center. The midwives are happy to discuss individual situations/risk statuses during a free “talk and tour”. Women who have an increased risk in their pregnancies may be eligible to receive prenatal care at WWMC and deliver with a nurse-midwife at the hospital.

What are the differences between having a baby in the birth center and in the hospital?

At the birth center, we try to provide the care that the woman and her family desire. We allow as many family members, including siblings of the new baby, to be present at the delivery as the mother wants. We do not separate the mother and the baby. Women are able to manage pain through freedom of movement—they may walk outside, get in the bathtub or labor pool, and use a variety of positions in labor. The Center is a UNICEF baby friendly facility which means we encourage breastfeeding and do not give artificial nipples to breastfed babies. The midwives are happy to discuss and try to accommodate any other specific requests that the family may have.

What kind of pain relief is available at the Center?

The Center does have pain medication for women desiring medication in labor. Women who desire epidurals may have their babies with the midwives at the hospital. For women desiring an unmedicated childbirth, the midwives use a wide variety of comfort techniques including a labor pool, birth stool, birth balls, sterile water papules, heat and cold, massage, and hydrotherapy. The Center offers options in childbirth education classes as well, ranging from general childbirth preparation to Birthing From Within childbirth classes. 

Is it safe to have a baby in an out-of-hospital setting?

Studies in professional journals have shown that outcomes in an out-of-hospital setting are equal to or better than outcomes in hospitals with similar populations. Women’s Wellness and Maternity Center has emergency equipment on site including oxygen, IV supplies, post-partum hemorrhage medications, and resuscitation equipment. Our local hospital is less than 10 minutes away, and the Center always has an ambulance on standby when we have a laboring woman. In addition, our physicians are kept updated throughout the labor, and are prepared to intervene if summoned at the Center or at the hospital.

What happens if there is an emergency during labor or birth?

Many complications that can occur during labor and birth can be safely treated at the birth center. Newborn resuscitation equipment is available at the Center, and all nurse-midwives and nurses are certified by the American Heart Association in neonatal resuscitation. Medications and IV supplies are available for hemorrhage, and oxygen is available, as well as other emergency equipment. An ambulance is always on stand-by and a nurse-midwife can ride with the mother to our local hospital that is less than 10 minutes away. Women’s Wellness and Maternity Center has formal agreements with University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville and Children’s Hospital in Knoxville if a consultation with a specialist is needed. Women or babies may be transported to these hospitals as needed.

What are your policies on episiotomies, intravenous fluids and newborn treatment?

The nurse-midwives do not cut routine episiotomies. Episiotomies are used occasionally in cases of fetal distress. Over the years, our episiotomy rate has remained less than 3%. Intravenous fluids are used in the Center for women who become dehydrated, need IV antibiotics, have significant blood loss after the baby is born, and occasionally in other circumstances. Our philosophy about newborn care is to prioritize family bonding. At the moment of birth, the baby is handed directly to the mother. The newborn bath and exam are done in the room with the family present.

What kind of post-partum care does WWMC offer?

If the mother and baby are healthy, and the mother desires, the family may return home after a six hour post-partum stay. Some families stay at the Center up to 24 hours depending on patient preference and the health of the mother and baby. The day following delivery, the mother and baby will receive a home visit from one of our nurses. Typically the mother and baby will receive a phone call from the nurses on day 2 and another home visit from the nurse on day 3. When the baby is 10 days old, the nurse-midwives will examine the mother and baby at the Center. After 10 days, the baby begins care with a pediatrician. The mother has a six-week post-partum visit with a nurse-midwife. The nurses and midwives are available throughout the post-partum period to answer breastfeeding questions or other concerns that the family may have.

Will my insurance cover Women's Wellness and Maternity Center fees? How much would it cost out-of-pocket?

We accept all Tenncare plans and most private insurance companies. Payment plans and a sliding fee scale are available for patients who pay out-of-pocket or are not insured. Our office manager would be happy to talk with you about your particular insurance plan or discuss payment plans with you.
Feel free to call Tammy Donalson 423-442-6624 or 800-440-3385