CU Nursing - Spring/Summer 2019 - 21

ALUMNI

offer midwifery care again at Ivinson Memorial Hospital. The addition of
midwives to our team will strengthen our women's healthcare program significantly. Our certified nurse midwives offer another provider option with
a slightly different philosophy of care than physicians, which is extremely
valuable to our community and our clinic," offers Dr. Kim Westbrook.

ABOUT LIZ
Elizabeth's vast experience in nursing and fierce advocacy for women's
health led her to midwifery practice.
Liz graduated from University of
Colorado College of Nursing in
the nurse midwifery program, and
completed her integration at Saint
Joseph's Hospital in Denver before
moving to Laramie with her husband
and two children. "To me, birth is
not only about bringing new life into
this world, but it is also about creating strong and confident mothers,"
Liz said, when speaking about her
midwifery practice.

WAIT, WHAT IS A MIDWIFE?
While the feedback from our Ivinson team and community members has
been resoundingly positive about offering midwifery care to our community,
there are many who want to know more. What is a midwife? How do midwives differ from OB/GYNs? Can I see a midwife throughout my pregnancy?
Certified nurse midwives are advanced practice registered nurses with at
least a master's degree who are board certified in the specialty of midwifery.
Midwives are experts in normal low risk pregnancy, birth and postpartum care
in a supportive environment. Midwives also provide care for women across
their lifespan, including well-woman, contraceptive, and menopause care.
Midwives at Ivinson practice within a team-based model of care and consult
with obstetricians, perinatologists and other healthcare providers and will
refer to appropriate medical professionals if complications arise.

ESTHER'S ROLE
Esther has been practicing midwifery in Wyoming and Colorado
for over 16 years. After actively
practicing in Laramie from 2002 to
2010, Esther obtained her doctor of
nursing practice from the University
of Colorado College of Nursing. She
returned to Laramie in 2012 and
has stayed involved in the Laramie
medical community working at
Laramie Reproductive Health Clinic
as a family nurse practitioner and
teaching in the family nurse practitioner program for the University
of Wyoming. Esther is a passionate
advocate for midwifery care, and
supports women and their families through pregnancy, birth and
beyond. Esther is delighted to join
the Ivinson team to help rebuild
the midwifery program while taking
monthly obstetric calls.

To me, birth is not only about bringing new life
into this world, but it is also about creating strong and
confident mothers." - Elizabeth Rowe
A common misconception is that birthing with a midwife requires an all-natural delivery. Our midwives work to provide individualized labor support,
meaning all modes of pain management are available to you, ranging from
an unmedicated birth to epidural analgesia.
Certified nurse midwives have hospital privileges and can prescribe medication and also work with certified registered nurse anesthetists for epidural
care. Our midwives' goal is to help you achieve the birth experience you
envision in a supportive, caring environment.
Complications in labor and in birth can occur, but the team-based approach
to obstetric care at Ivinson Memorial Hospital means the midwives and
physician-work collaboratively to handle any complications that may arise.
If a cesarean delivery is necessary, your midwife can accompany you and
your partner to provide additional support in the operating room.

BETTER TOGETHER
Liz and Esther will be practicing
with OB/GYNs, Dr. Kim Westbrook
and Dr. Derek Ewell, in a team-based
model where OB/GYNS and certified
nurse midwives work collaboratively
to care for patients of the Women's
Health Clinic. "We are thrilled to

Alumni Elizabeth
Rowe and Esther
Gilman-Kehrer
bring midwifery
practice back to
Ivinson Memorial
Hospital in
Laramie, WY.

If you are interested in working with a midwife, our team will review your
history and help decide if a midwife is right for you at the beginning of
your pregnancy. You may still receive the benefits of midwifery care even
if high-risk conditions arise, while you, your midwife and physician work
as a team. This is a shared decision between you and providers.
This article appeared in a recent edition of Ivinson Hospital's Vitals magazine.

Spring/Summer 2019

CU Nursing - Spring/Summer 2019

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