Midwives are becoming more common, especially certified nurse-midwives (CNMs). However, there are still a lot of misconceptions about midwives and what they actually do. That is why the month of August is designated as Midwifery Advocacy Month – to promote awareness to the public about the facts and benefits of having a CNM as part of a women’s care.
One of the common misunderstandings about midwifery is that a woman must be pregnant in order to see a midwife. The truth of the matter is that CNMs do not only deliver babies, but they also provide whole woman care that is individualized. This includes caring for women in all stages of life from adolescence to menopause and beyond.
Sharon Squibb holds a master’s degree in healthcare and is a certified nurse-midwife (CNM) as well as an advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP). She practices at Lucas County Health Center and LCHC Medical Clinic as well as the Humeston Medical Clinic in Humeston. An expert in women’s health care, all women, pregnant or not, can benefit from the care of Squibb whether it be through a routine physical exam, labor and delivery care, or by providing health education and counseling.
Squibb debunks another misconception about the pregnancy, labor, and delivery care a CNM provides. Many believe that if a CNM is involved in their care, they must have a natural (non-medicated) delivery at home. It’s true that midwives do provide support to those women who wish to deliver at home, however, Squibb,as a CNM, provides individualized care and support for the type of birth a woman prefers – even in a hospital setting with epidurals or IV medication. In fact, Squibb is often seen at LCHC providing attentive care to her patients throughout their labor and delivery process and is highly trained to handle most complications of pregnancy and childbirth. When appropriate, Squibb will consult with physicians to offer the best care possible.
As a whole, CNMs do more than care for pregnant women; they care for all women by helping them navigate normal life stages, including puberty, menopause, family planning, and health concerns, They also promote good health and emphasize prevention of problems before they start.
“Women are caregivers for everyone else, and we tend not to think of ourselves,” says Squibb. “To be the best we can be for ourselves and those we care for, women must make their own health a priority.”
To schedule an appointment with Sharon Squibb, MS, CNM, ARNP, contact the Humeston Medical Clinic at 641.877.8502 or Lucas County Health Center Medical Clinic at 641.774.8103.