Durham Regional now offers midwife delivery

The alliance, a group of eight obstetrics and gynecological practices with 11 offices throughout the Triangle, began delivering babies at the Birth Place at Durham Regional in the last week or so. Before delivery, patients are able to see certified midwives at offices in Durham, Chapel Hill and a new satellite office in north Raleigh's Brier Creek.

Certified nurse-midwives are registered nurses who have graduated from a nurse-midwifery masters degree program and have passed a national certification exam. They are trained to provide care to women during pregnancy and birth, including natural births with no medication and those that use medications and anesthesia. Certified midwifery care is typically covered under most health care insurance plans. And certified nurse-midwives have doctors on call 24 hours a day if something comes up.

"Many expectant mothers want a health care provider who will help guide them through their pregnancy, listening to their concerns and really getting to know them," said Mary Ellen Lowry, a certified nurse-midwife with Women's Health Alliance, in a press release. "Establishing a one-on-one relationship with our patients is what being a midwife is all about. And we encourage the whole family to get involved too."