ABOUT
About
Missouri Midwifery Service is a non-for-profit, Christian organization guided by a volunteer board of directors. Members of the Board of Directors have utilized the clinics for the health care needs of their own families. Thus, they are stakeholders who are intimately aware of the wishes and needs of other families utilizing the clinic for healthcare.
In 2005, the board opened their first location, the Missouri Mennonite Clinic, a rural facility located outside Versailles, Missouri. The aim was to provide quality, affordable, and culturally-sensitive maternity care to families residing nearby. In the fall of 2017, the board of directors opened a second location Missouri Midwifery Service in Springfield, Missouri, just 1 mile from Cox South Hospital.
We at Missouri Midwifery focus on providing patient centered care for mothers, women, and babies with the opportunity to make the birth process intimiate and empowering. We would love to have the opportunity to meet your family and discuss if we can be a part of your midwifery care.
the certified nurse midwife’s 13 pearls
As published by the American College of Nurse-Midwives, we endorse and employ the 13 evidence-based Pearls of Midwifery Wisdom:
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- Allow women to eat in early labor and drink throughout
- No routine IV fluids
- Intermittent fetal monitoring for low-risk women
- Encourage women to be upright and mobile
- Provide continuous 1-1 support
- Don’t routinely perform artificial rupture of membranes
- Honor the “lull phase” of second stage
- No routine episiotomies or aggressive vaginal stretching
- Delay cord clamping
- Encourage immediate skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding
- Listen to the evidence, listen to women, and trust yourself
- Have patience with labor progress
- Encourage vaginal birth after cesarean
- Allow women to eat in early labor and drink throughout
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missouri midwifery’s credentials
All midwives and nurses have undergone education in breastfeeding and lactation support. They are certified in neonatal resuscitation (NRP) and basic life support (BLS). Our staff also participates in simulations of emergencies to ensure the utmost safety for mom and baby.
Can anyone have an out of hospital birth?
Our collaborating physician will evaluate each patient's history and circumstances to determine if they are a canidate for delivery at MMS. An ongoing risk assessment is performed at each prenatal visit to ensure mother and baby remain low-risk throughout care.
What is a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)?
Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) are advanced practice registered nurses who have graduated from a nurse-midwifery education program accredited by The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education. Once licensed, CNMs provide primary health care for women and babies at home, birth clinic/center, or the hospital. The state of Missouri credentials CNMs as Advance Practice Nurses in the same category as Nurse Practitioners and Nurse Anesthetists. CNMs must also have an active registered nurse (RN) license and apply for recertification once every five years.
What happens if there is a problem?
If at any time during the pregnancy a problem is identified, the CNM may manage it, through consultation or collaboration with our Medical Director, Mark Grant. The client may be able to have joint management with the CNM and MD and still qualify for a birth at the birth clinic. However, there are situations that will require the transfer of care to an OB/GYN and exclude a client from a birth clinic birth. In those rare cases, we aim to make the transition as smooth as possible. We’re happy to discuss any specific concerns with you!
What happens if there is an emergency during labor and birth?
Ideally, true emergencies are prevented prior to delivery to identify potential problems before they become emergent. Most transfers of care/transports to the hospital are non-emergent. To ensure safety, Missouri Midwifery staff participates in ongoing training to simulate potential emergency situations. In the rare event of an emergency, an ambulance will be called and the client transferred to Cox South Hospital. A staff member will accompany the client to the hospital.
Do you offer VBAC (Vaginal Birth after Cesarean) services?
At this time, we do NOT offer VBAC deliveries but we can offer midwifery care throughout your pregnancy and facilitate a hospital delivery.
Do you take insurance/medicaid?
At this time, we do not accept medicaid or insurance. However, we can provide you with an itemized invoice that can be submitted to insurance, although not all insurances will cover midwifery care.
Can I afford it?
We offer a low self-pay price which can be paid over 32 weeks. We also offer Care Credit at this time.
Contact Us
If any of our services appeal to you, please do not hesitate to call us at (417) 616-3114. We also take emails at missourimidwifery@gmail.com. You can use the form below to ask any questions if it’s easier. It’s never too early or too late to get started on a path of natural health. Take care of yourself and your child today with Missouri Midwifery.
Phone
417-616-3114
Fax
417-720-4815
Address
3840 South Avenue
Springfield, MO 65807