Nurse midwives practice at St. Luke’s

Michaela Galimba, CNM, Katie Willey, CNM, FNP, and Rachel Israel, CNM, went from classmates to colleagues.

The three women joined a practice at St. Luke’s on the Plaza after they graduated from the midwife program at the University of Kansas School of Nursing in May.

“We offer OB care and gynecological care,” Willey said.

As nurse midwives, Galimba, Willey and Israel’s scope of practice ranges from wellness care to pre- and post-natal care to delivery.

Some patients prefer midwives instead of physicians when they deliver, the three said.

“Generally we are able to offer a lot more time with our patients,” Israel said. “We are able to allow a longer visit.”

Israel, who is pregnant with her first child, plays the unique role of a patient and care giver. Israel’s baby is due in January. She chose a midwife for her care and delivery.

“I feel like I’ve been able to establish a friendship with the midwife,” she said.

Nurse midwives serve women throughout the country. These nurses have advanced training and graduate degrees.

Despite their advanced degrees, Galimba said, many people still have misconceptions about nurse midwives.

“People are confused,” Galimba said.

For instance, some women think they cannot receive an epidural if they choose a midwife, she said. While some birthing centers do not offer pain medications, women who give birth with a midwife in a hospital can utilize those options.

“I support whatever decision they want,” Galimba said.

Other people associate midwife care with home births.

“It’s a completely different thing,” Willey said.

Nurse midwives often practice in collaboration with physicians in hospital and clinic settings.

Willey said many of the women they see in their practice hear about the group of midwives through word of mouth. These midwives typically see the patients throughout their pregnancy and for post-pregnancy care.

“I love being able to establish the relationship with the patients,” Willey said.

Willey, Galimba and Israel all worked as registered nurses before they became midwives.

“I don’t recommend that anyone do it without being a nurse for a while,” Galimba said.

Galimba worked as a labor and delivery nurse for nine years. She said she became a midwife because she wanted the opportunity to educate women about prenatal care throughout their pregnancies.

“I saw so much education lacking in some women’s prenatal care,” Galimba said.

Israel did a rotation with the practice where she now works during her time as a student at KU. She said the rotations she participated in helped shape her practice.

“Bringing all those experiences together helped us to know how we wanted to practice and what we wanted to do or not do,” Israel said.

The three midwives said they have a good collaboration with the physician with whom they work.

“We all feel well supported,” Galimba said. “We hope that women continue choosing midwives.”

Trackback(0)

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (0)

Write comment