Honoring midwifery care is not only easy, it's a pleasure.
First, the country is celebrating National Midwifery Week which is sponsored by the American College of Nurse Midwives. It's a week-long event that celebrates the contributions and care midwives provide here in the United States.
Second, Maine has tons of midwives both Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM) and Certified Professional Midwives (CPM). Midwives believe that birth is a normal physiological process and a profound experience in an individual’s life. Midwifery is based on three main pillars: informed choice, continuity of care and choice of birthplace.
Today, we're excited to share our first blog post about midwifery care. This week through conversations with 4 of Maine's midwifery practitioners you'll hear why they became midwives, how they work, and what brings them joy. Two are practicing in hospitals; Mercy in Portland and Mid Coast in Brunswick. Two are home birth midwives, one long time practitioner and one preparing to take her final exam after much preparation and many supported families.
Natalie and I have found Maine to have an especially positive birthing community. The many Maine hospitals we've worked in, and the state's general support of home birth stands up strong, for us, among New England states. Our experience of birth around New England stands even taller next to the rest of the country. The birthing environments you'll find here have practitioners who are working hard to see that your birthing goals and experience are supported, encouraged and educated. We look forward to sharing these midwife interviews with you over the week and look forward to sharing more of our community's birthing professionals in future posts.
Jerri Walker, CNM - Back Cove Midwives
Suzanne Zimmerman, CNM - Midwives of Mid Coast Hospital
Robin Illian, CPM - Sacopee Midwives
Ariel Bernstein, Professional Midwifery Student