At Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center, Santa Cruz, you have the option to choose a certified nurse-midwife. Certified nurse-midwives attend births and provide comprehensive prenatal and postpartum care. They also provide basic well-woman and family planning care.

Certified nurse-midwives have completed both nursing school and an advanced training graduate degree in low-risk pregnancy and childbirth care. They are committed to helping you have the traditional or alternative pregnancy, birth and healthcare experiences you want while prioritizing the health and safety of you and your baby.

They also maintain a close, positive working relationship with obstetrics colleagues to provide comprehensive and individualized care. Should a problem develop during childbirth, the nurse-midwife can seamlessly bring in your doctor at any point.

Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center offers Group Prenatal Care and is a designated Baby-Friendly Hospital by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund.

In addition to supporting you throughout your pregnancy, a certified nurse-midwife is also licensed to provide:

• Primary care, including medication prescriptions.
• Annual gynecologic health maintenance exams.
• All types of birth control.
• Advice on fertility, menopause or any other nonurgent gynecological concerns.

Certified nurse-midwives adhere to the rigorous Philosophy of Care and the Hallmarks of Midwifery standards set by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.

For high risk pregnancies, midwives collaborate with and refer to physician colleagues as appropriate, depending on your unique needs. Learn more about our high-risk pregnancy services.