Specialist. Champion. Midwife.

Our midwives do more.

Man with hand on woman's pregnant belly.

Midwifery

Education. Guidance. Advocacy. Expertise. Through pregnancy and beyond. Our midwives do more. 

At Spectrum Health, all our Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM) are registered nurses (RN) with advanced degrees in women’s health and midwifery. From family planning to prenatal care to that special moment when you bring your baby home, our CNMs are here for you when you want a personalized, hands-on approach to your care. Our CNMs strive to be your trusted partner, with longer appointment times to understand your unique needs and empower you to make informed decisions about your health.

Expert, collaborative care during pregnancy and birth

Our CNMs work in collaboration with our physicians, allowing for coordinated care and seamless referrals to specialists, if needed. We’re the only hospital-based midwifery program in West Michigan—giving you the personalized care you desire, with the peace of mind that comes from having our expert resources here if you need them, including Michigan’s largest Level IV NICU at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.

Find the fit that's best for you.

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Not sure what’s best for you? Every pregnancy is unique—which is why we offer a team of Certified Nurse Midwives and Obstetricians for you to choose from. At Spectrum Health, you have options to deliver your baby, your way.

What midwives can do for you

Midwives provide a personalized experience
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Hear from Courtney Hilbert, CNM, from our 330 Barclay Ave. location in Grand Rapids, on the compassionate care approach you’ll get from a midwife.

You can see a midwife at any age
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Katie Steele, CNM, practices in Zeeland and shares how you can create a lifelong relationship with your midwife.

Midwives are here for you, even on the hard days
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Spend a minute with Kelsee Tharp, CNM, from Pennock Hospital to hear how your emotional and mental wellness matters to midwives.

One patient’s personalized midwifery experience
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Morgan Rademacher wanted a more natural approach to her care and delivery. See why she chose a midwife for her pregnancy and childbirth at Pennock Hospital.

Midwives empower their patients
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Your experience is important to midwives. Hear from Emily Thrower, CNM, from Gerber Hospital, on how midwives partner with you so you can have the birth experience you want.

Not pregnant? You can still see a midwife
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Carey Groendal, CNM, from Pennock Hospital, shares how you can see a midwife even when you’re not pregnant.

Our Certified Nurse Midwife specialties

  • Birth control & family planning
  • Pregnancy & childbirth services for low-risk pregnancies
  • Individual and group prenatal care
  • Breastfeeding support
  • Post-partum care & support
  • Routine gynecologic care, such as annual well-woman exams
  • Menopause management

Frequently asked questions

Do midwives have formal medical training?
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Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) are certified in advanced practice nursing and midwifery. They are certified by the American College of Nurse Midwives and licensed by the State of Michigan as both nurses and midwives.

Do midwives deliver at hospitals?
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Spectrum Health’s midwifery program is hospital-based, and the only one of its kind in West Michigan. We offer private labor and delivery suites for all our patients. For those interested in a home-like atmosphere, we have a select number of high-touch, low-intervention birthing suites at Butterworth Hospital Family Birthplace with a queen bed, sleeper sofa and soft lighting. These suites are available to reserve by your provider on a first-come, first-served basis.

Do I have to choose between a midwife and an OB-GYN?
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Throughout your pregnancy, our physicians are available for consultation and collaboration with our CNMs as needed. Having this collaborative model allows for a seamless transfer of care if you should require additional medical or surgical care. During labor and delivery, there is always an on-call physician available at the hospital should intervention be required.

Can midwives administer pain medications?
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Certified Nurse Midwives offer a low intervention approach to labor management, including deep breathing, massage, hot and cold therapy, hydrotherapy and movement. A full array of pain relief options are always available, including epidural anesthesia.

Is midwifery care covered by insurance?
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Most major health insurance companies and Medicaid cover midwifery services, but patients should always check with their insurance provider for coverage specifics.

Do midwives only provide birthing services?
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Our midwives provide care during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum, as well as gynecologic, family planning and preconception care.

Health Beat

Find a Certified Nurse Midwife

Our experienced CNMs are ready to serve you, right in your community.