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Health & Fitness

METROSOUTH MEDICAL CENTER DELIVERS THRIVING MIDWIVES PROGRAM

As midwife, Jane Sutkowski, explains, the goal of the midwifery program at MetroSouth Medical Center is, "to make every woman feel like she is the only one here."

With more than 350 midwife-assisted births per year and six Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM) on staff, the midwifery program at MetroSouth Medical Center is one of the largest in the Chicago area.

More pregnant women today are choosing to deliver their babies with the assistance of a CNM. According to the American Midwifery Certification Board, the number of midwife-attended births in the U.S. has more than doubled since 1991. And, a record one in eight vaginal births is assisted by a midwife, according to a 2012 study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

“In addition to an obstetrician or a family practitioner, the option of a midwife allows a woman to choose the provider type with which she is most comfortable,” explains Dr. Lewis Blumenthal, Chairman of MetroSouth Medical Center’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. “Today, it is truly a woman's choice in terms of how to deliver her baby."

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The reason for the increase in midwife deliveries is most likely due to benefits associated with midwife-assisted births, including:

  • Patient satisfaction 
  • Increased sense of patient control 
  • Fewer invasive interventions 
  • Higher rates of breastfeeding  

 

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In addition to delivering babies, midwives provide the following services to new families:

  • Family planning 
  • Preconception care 
  • Low-risk childbirth 
  • Postpartum care 
  • Healthy newborn care (up to 28 days old) 

 

They consult with obstetricians and other healthcare professionals and refer women to appropriate medical professionals as needed. Midwives assist at low-risk births, which comprise 60 to 80 percent of births nationwide, according to the CDC.

Many mothers-to-be choose to have their babies delivered by a midwife in a hospital rather than at home. That way, they still get massage therapy and instruction on deep breathing during delivery in a more intimate environment, yet they are in close proximity of a physician and emergency equipment in case of complications.

MetroSouth Medical Center offers the following as part of its midwifery program:

  • Round-the-clock anesthesiology and neonatologist coverage 
  • Round the clock midwife on-call number 
  • Bilingual team of Maternal Fetal Medicine and OB/GYN physicians 
  • Level II+ birthing center 
  • Childbirth education classes
  • Nutrition education and consultation 
  • Lactation specialists and breastfeeding support 
  • “Brahm’s Lullaby” plays on the overhead intercom every time a baby is born (optional) 
  • After giving birth, parents receive a celebration dinner with white linen, flower and fluted sparkling juice 

 

“Our goal is to make every woman feel like she is the only one here,” explains Jane Sutkowski, Certified Nurse Midwife at MetroSouth Medical Center.

To schedule an appointment with a MetroSouth midwife, please call: 708-489-7800. Visit www.metrosouthmedicalcenter.com

 

About MetroSouth Medical Center

MetroSouth Medical Center (MSMC) is a 330-bed, all private-rooms, acute-care hospital located in downtown Blue Island, IL. In addition to a network of 14 health centers, the hospital offers a nationally recognized cardiac care program, Congestive Heart Failure Clinic, Senior Behavioral Health Unit, telemedicine stroke robot for 24-hour neurology coverage, 24-hour emergency care, Level II+ birthing center with high-risk perinatologists and neonatologists, and a Heartburn Clinic. MSMC is certified by The Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center and was awarded the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association Bronze Stroke Award.

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