Girl Talk: Benefits to Birthing with a Midwife

Photo Caption: Pictured are Midwife Sherry Burnam, RN, CNM, APN; with Mokena resident Lara Greiman and her 4-month old daughter, Faith, who Sherry delivered last fall.

By Tracy Simons | Silver Cross Hospital

According to the American Midwifery Certification Board, there are over 11,000 certified nurse midwives in the United States, and the number of expectant moms choosing to use a midwife to birth continues to rise. Silver Cross Hospital is offering a free program that will educate area women about the benefits of choosing to birth with a midwife.

If you are thinking about or expecting a baby and wonder what it would be like to birth with a midwife, attend a free Girl Talk: Birthing with a Midwife on Tuesday, Feb. 3 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Silver Cross Hospital Conference Center, 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox. Join Sherry Burnam, RN, Certified Nurse Midwife, to discover how to experience a normal, physiologic birth in the safety of the hospital environment with as little intervention as necessary. Register to attend this program by calling 1-888-660-HEAL (4325) or at http://IMatter.silvercross.org.

There are many benefits to using a Midwife. They can help women have a more natural childbirth experience. Further, midwives collaborate with the couple to develop a plan that offers more personalized care, which includes taking the time to talk to the mother-to-be about her concerns and needs regarding where to deliver, treatment of medications and other nuances of the birthing process.

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“Both my husband, Jon and I are so grateful for the support our Midwife Sherry Burnam provided us during the entire pregnancy and birthing process of our second child, Faith,” said 34-year old Lara Greiman, who resides in Mokena. “The day I went into labor, my obstetrician was out of town. Fortunately, Sherry stayed with us during the many hours of labor that followed. Her calm presence gave us the extra support to guide us through the labor. Also, her impressive medical expertise and experience gave us the peace of mind that our baby was in good hands – especially when she delivered our precious daughter.”

How Do I Choose a Midwife?

“When choosing a midwife, you need to make sure the midwife you choose is certified and licensed to practice in your state,” said Sherry Burnam, RN, CNM, APN, midwife with Partners in Obstetrics and Women’s Health. “Also you need to be sure your midwife understands what you want your birth experience to be like and ensure they are willing to support your decisions.”

In addition to providing support and care to women during labor and delivery, midwives provide many varieties of gynecologic care including: conducting gynecological exams, educating patients on preconception planning, offering prenatal care, giving help with breastfeeding and other newborn care issues, and assisting women who are going through menopause.

Sherry Burnam, RN, CNM, APN, is a midwife with Partners in Obstetrics and Women’s Health. Her office is located at 1890 Silver Cross Boulevard, Suite 210, New Lenox. To schedule an appointment, call (815) 463-3000.

About Silver Cross Hospital

Silver Cross Hospital is a not-for-profit health care provider serving Will County and southwest suburban communities since 1895. Silver Cross has been recognized as a Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals National Award winner for seven consecutive years and as a Hospital of Choice by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers. With nearly 4,000 employees, physicians and volunteers, Silver Cross operates a 289-bed acute care hospital and 5 satellite facilities providing outpatient services and physician offices. Silver Cross opened a state-of-the-art replacement hospital in 2012 at I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox. In 2013, Silver Cross provided over $48 million in charity care and other community benefits. To learn more about Silver Cross Hospital or a referral to a physician on staff, visit www.silvercross.org or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325). Physicians on Silver Cross Hospital’s Medical Staff have expertise in their areas of practice to meet the needs of patients seeking their care. These physicians are independent practitioners on the Medical Staff and are not the agents or employees of Silver Cross Hospital. They treat patients based upon their independent medical judgment and they bill patients separately for their services.