Few titles in medicine conjure more warmth and positive sentiment – and reveal more confusion – than midwife. The primary attendant for women in labor, midwives were historically apprenticed, not schooled, and by 1980, the rate of deliveries attended by a midwife had fallen to about 1 in 100 – but no longer.

Today’s certified nurse midwives are highly trained advanced practice providers.

Data from the Government Accountability Office says about 1 in 8 births in the United States in 2021 were chiefly attended by a nurse midwife. Three Health First Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM) boast growing office practices (with privileges at Health First’s Cape Canaveral Hospital).

And these professionals don’t work strictly around the perinatal period (before and after the birth of a child). They see patients for reproductive health matters before pregnancy – and well after, into menopause.

“We care for women at all stages of life, from annual Well Woman exams to contraception management, pregnancy, delivery, all the way up through menopause,” says Amber Chambers, APRN, CNM

READ the full story in Space Coast Daily HERE.