MERIDIAN, Idaho -- Certified Nurse-Midwives are now available at St. Luke's Meridian Medical Center.

The Nurse-Midwives and Women’s Health clinic opened  its doors on January 7^th. There are currently two midwives, Helene Reusser and Tamara Rolan, who are accepting patients.

"Giving birth is a life changing experience for women and their families, you must trust your provider to be your advocate as they safely guide you through your prenatal and birthing experience," said Tamara Rolan. "Deciding if midwifery care is right for you is dependent on your personal needs and priorities."

When choosing any provider,  Rolan says it is important to ask questions and lay out your expectations for your prenatal and gynecological care.  Here is some additional information about nurse-midwives:

• Certified Nurse-Midwives are advance practice nurses who have masters degrees in nursing. They are specially trained in low risk pregnancy and birth, and women’s health.
• When it comes to your baby’s birth, St. Luke's midwives want you to have the experience you desire. They are supportive of your wants and needs, whether you desire a more natural experience or a medicated birth.
• Although nurse-midwives can deliver in and out of the hospital, both midwives in Meridian attend births only at St. Luke’s Meridian.
• Sometimes, despite a midwife's best efforts and your hard work at a healthy pregnancy, things happen that are beyond their scope of practice. St. Luke's nurse-midwives work closely with obstetricians and maternal fetal medicine physicians to provide you and your baby with the best care possible.
• Nurse-midwifes also care for non-pregnant women. In addition to pregnancy care and annual gynecological exams, nurse-midwives are available for preconception, contraception, and menopausal counseling and treatment.

St. Luke's midwives offer consultations that provide a chance to sit and answer questions about who they are and what they do. St. Luke's nurse-midwifes  are located in suite 2110 at St. Luke’s Meridian. Most new patients can be seen within 1-2 days.  To set up an appointment or to schedule a consultation please call at (208) 706-3220. To find out more information, click here.