How to Choose a Midwife to Deliver Your Baby

Choosing the right midwife for your pregnancy and delivery is one of the most important decisions expecting parents make. A skilled midwife provides personalized care throughout your pregnancy journey, offering support that goes beyond medical expertise to include emotional guidance and advocacy for your birth preferences. The relationship you build with your midwife can significantly impact your entire pregnancy experience and birth outcome.

Board certified OBGYN Dr. Chadi Haddad, MD works closely with certified nurse midwife Lucy Schoemer, DNP to provide comprehensive maternity care in the Detroit area. This collaborative approach ensures expectant mothers receive both the clinical expertise of a board certified physician and the personalized, holistic care that midwives are known for.

Midwife Credentials & Training

Not all midwives have the same educational background or scope of practice, which is why understanding credentials is essential when choosing care. Certified nurse midwives (CNMs) complete graduate-level education in both nursing and midwifery, pass a national certification examination, and maintain ongoing certification through continuing education and clinical practice requirements.

This extensive training allows certified nurse midwives to provide a full range of reproductive health services, including prenatal care, labor and delivery support, postpartum care, and routine gynecological services. They can prescribe medications, order laboratory tests, and manage normal pregnancies independently while maintaining collaborative relationships with physicians for higher-risk situations.

When working with Dr. Chadi Haddad in the Detroit area, patients benefit from having both a board certified OBGYN and certified nurse midwife involved in their care, ensuring comprehensive support throughout pregnancy.

The Importance of Midwife Experience

Experience matters significantly when selecting a midwife, particularly in how they handle various labor scenarios and complications. An experienced midwife has attended numerous births, encountered different situations, and developed the clinical judgment to recognize when additional intervention may be necessary.

Look for midwives who can discuss their experience with different types of births, including natural deliveries, water births, and situations requiring medical intervention. The best midwives are comfortable with their scope of practice and confident about when to involve physician colleagues for additional support.

Dr. Chadi Haddad’s practice in the Detroit area benefits from years of collaborative experience between physicians and midwives, creating a seamless care model that prioritizes both safety and patient preferences.

Finding Compassionate Midwife Care

Compassion and emotional support are hallmarks of quality midwifery care. The right midwife listens to your concerns, respects your birth preferences, and provides encouragement throughout your pregnancy journey. This emotional connection often makes a significant difference in how women experience pregnancy and childbirth.

During your initial consultation, pay attention to how potential midwives communicate with you. Do they ask about your fears and hopes for your birth experience? Do they explain procedures clearly and involve you in decision-making? A compassionate midwife will make you feel heard, supported, and confident in your care.

The midwifery philosophy emphasizes treating each woman as an individual with unique needs, preferences, and circumstances. This personalized approach to care is what sets quality midwives apart in providing meaningful support during pregnancy and delivery.

Midwife Who Works with a Board Certified OBGYNs

The most comprehensive maternity care often comes from collaborative practices where midwives work closely with board certified OBGYNs. This partnership combines the personalized, holistic approach of midwifery care with the specialized medical expertise of obstetric physicians.

When complications arise during pregnancy or delivery, having immediate access to physician consultation and intervention can be lifesaving. Collaborative care models ensure smooth transitions between providers when medical complexity increases, without disrupting the continuity of care.

This team approach also benefits women who develop pregnancy complications that move them outside the scope of independent midwifery care. Rather than transferring to an unfamiliar provider, they can continue receiving care within the same practice with providers who already know their medical history and preferences.

Certified Nurse Midwife Lucy Schoemer

Certified nurse midwife Lucy Schoemer, DNP serves as a Midwife and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner providing compassionate and inclusive care in obstetrics and gynecology in Dearborn Heights, Michigan. Her educational background reflects the comprehensive training that defines quality midwifery care.

Lucy obtained her undergraduate degree in Spanish and International Health at Clemson University, giving her a unique perspective on cultural sensitivity and global health approaches to women’s care. She then attended Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing where she obtained her Master of Science in Nursing before moving on to become a registered nurse and pursuing advanced certification in midwifery.

This educational foundation, combined with her collaborative work with board certified OBGYN Dr. Chadi Haddad, allows Lucy to provide the comprehensive, personalized midwife care that expectant mothers in the Detroit area deserve.

Midwife | Detroit Area

If you live in the Detroit area and you are looking for compassionate, experienced midwife care for your pregnancy and delivery, our team at Dr. Haddad’s practice is here to support you. Certified nurse midwife Lucy Schoemer, DNP and board certified OBGYN Dr. Chadi Haddad, MD work together to provide comprehensive care that honors your birth preferences while prioritizing your safety and well-being. Schedule an appointment today to learn how our collaborative approach to midwifery care can support you throughout your pregnancy journey.

Detroit Area Midwife: 313.561.2200