A midwife is a highly trained and licensed healthcare professional who provides comprehensive care to women through all stages of reproductive life. At CT Coastal OB-GYN, our Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) offer a full spectrum of services, grounded in the midwifery philosophy of partnership, informed choice, and minimal intervention.

Services Provided by Midwives

Midwives can manage a wide range of services, including:

  • Prenatal care—Routine assessments, lab testing, ultrasounds (or coordination), nutritional guidance, education, risk screening
  • Labor and birth support—Continuous labor support, guidance on positioning, pain management education, monitoring fetal well-being, assistance with physiologic birth
  • Postpartum care—Wound checks, recovery monitoring, lactation support, mood screening, contraception counseling
  • Gynecologic and reproductive healthcare (GYN)—Annual well-woman exams, family planning, contraception prescription, cervical cancer screening, treatment for some gynecologic concerns

In practice, our CNMs perform physical exams, order and interpret labs and diagnostics, prescribe medications (including contraception), and diagnose and manage low-risk conditions. At CT Coastal OB-GYN, our CNMs also hold Yale New Haven Hospital (YNHH) privileges, so they can directly admit, manage, and discharge patients.  

The Midwifery Model of Care

The Midwifery Model of Care is built on these core principles:

  1. Continuity and relationship-based care—The same midwife or small team supports you through pregnancy, labor, and postpartum, fostering trust and deeper understanding.
  2. Holistic and individualized approach—Assessing physical, emotional, and social factors that influence health.
  3. Informed choice and shared decision-making—Offering evidence-based options and supporting you in choosing what’s right for you.
  4. Minimal intervention, only when necessary—Supporting physiologic birth processes rather than defaulting to medical interventions.
  5. Health promotion and prevention—Emphasizing education, wellness, and early risk detection.

Under this philosophy, midwives aim to foster normalcy and autonomy in birth, stepping in with interventions only when truly needed.

Benefits of Using a Midwife

Choosing a midwife offers both tangible and experiential benefits. Below are key advantages—rooted in data where available—along with what they look like in practice.

Midwife-led care is associated with “least intervention necessary,” and measurable reductions in certain interventions for low-risk pregnancies:

  • Lower cesarean section (C-section) rates—Several studies (e.g., Cochrane reviews) show midwife-led continuity models result in fewer C-sections compared to standard obstetric-led care for low-risk women.
  • Reduced use of regional anesthesia (e.g., epidural/spinal)—The philosophy prioritizes non-pharmacologic pain coping strategies, and data suggests lower rates of epidural use in midwifery-attended births.
  • Lower rates of episiotomy and assisted vaginal birth—Use of perineal support and physiologic labor often results in fewer episiotomies and less forceps/vacuum usage.

While outcomes may vary by region and practice, the general trend is clear: midwifery care supports safer, less intrusive childbirth for appropriate candidates.

What Continuous Support Means

Continuous support means more than being present during labor. In our practice, it encompasses:

  • Longer prenatal visits—Expect unhurried appointments where education, emotional check-ins, and questions are encouraged.
  • Labor support from start to finish—Your midwife (or small team) remains with you through labor, offering comfort measures, position coaching, emotional support, hydration, and vigilant monitoring of fetal/maternal well-being.
  • Postpartum follow-up beyond 6 weeks—Home or virtual check-ins, breastfeeding help, mood/depression screening, and ongoing support as you adjust to parenthood.

This continuity helps prevent gaps in care, fosters stronger rapport, and tends to yield better maternal satisfaction and outcomes.

Midwife Support Network

We believe birth care doesn’t end at delivery. Our midwife support network includes:

  • In-house lactation clinic—Access to certified lactation consultants who can assist with latch, milk supply, and challenges.
  • Postpartum depression screening and referral—Routine mood check-ins and connections to mental health professionals or support groups.
  • Pelvic floor physical therapy partnerships—Early referral and integration with pelvic health specialists to support recovery.
  • Local parent support groups and peer networks—Facilitated opportunities to connect with other new parents experiencing similar journeys.

These resources help assure you’re not navigating postpartum challenges alone.

When and Why an Obstetrician Is Involved

Although midwives manage low-risk pregnancies autonomously, there are clear guidelines for consultation or transfer. Examples include:

  • Gestational diabetes or hypertension/preeclampsia
  • Breech or other malpresentation
  • Multiple gestation (twins or more)
  • Growth restriction or fetal anomalies
  • Labor that fails to progress or signs of fetal distress

In these situations, your midwife will partner with an obstetrician to ensure advanced monitoring, interventions, or hospital-level care. Transfers are smooth and immediate because our CNMs hold YNHH privileges. 

The Power of Partnership

By choosing a midwife within our group, you gain:

  • Holistic, personalized care—The midwifery approach for low-risk pregnancies.
  • Access to advanced obstetric support without changing providers.
  • Immediate hospital integration—Seamless transitions between CNM and OB/GYN care.

In other words: you get the best of both worlds: gentle, personalized midwifery care backed by the safety net of experienced physicians.

Risk Assessment and Clinical Monitoring

Midwives are not “just waiting.” They receive rigorous training to identify early signs of complications. Through regular screenings, vital signs, and ongoing risk assessment, midwives ensure any red flags are addressed promptly. Their role is to promote normalcy, while remaining vigilant for deviations and acting accordingly.

Who Should Choose a Midwife?

Midwife-led care is ideal for:

  • People with low-risk pregnancies (no significant chronic disease, single fetus, no major obstetric history).
  • Those who value extended education, emotional support, and participation in decisions.
  • Individuals seeking fewer interventions and more physiologic birth options.
  • People comfortable with shared decision-making and open communication.
  • Anyone who wants a care model with both holism and strong safety integration.

If your pregnancy becomes higher-risk due to evolving conditions, your midwife and obstetric team will collaborate to ensure you get the most appropriate care. Choosing a midwife does not limit your safety; it gives you personalized care with a safety net.

Ready to Learn More?

Choosing a midwife doesn’t mean missing out on medical backup. At CT Coastal OB-GYN, we operate in a collaborative, integrated care model. Choosing a midwife at CT Coastal OB-GYN means gaining a care team that values your autonomy, supports your journey, and collaborates closely with physicians when needed. 

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call us at (203) 562-5181. We look forward to caring for you in pregnancy, birth, and beyond.