With women, for a lifetimeTM Commendation
Care for Life Nurse-Midwifery
Northeast Ohio Obstetrics/
Gynecology (Ravenna, OH)
The Care for Life Nurse Midwifery (CLNM) Practice at Robinson Memorial Hospital (RMH) is a small practice in a community hospital, the only one in Portage County, OH. CLNM was established in August of 1993 by new graduate, Mary Adamson, CNM, who continues to serve as director.
In a rural community where medical care had been the standard, CLNM has raised the awareness of nurse-midwifery care among women of all ages with the staff certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) attending 13.5% of all county births in 2002. The presence of midwifery has also positively influenced the practice methods, philosophy and culture of other providers and staff.
The practice introduced hydrotherapy in labor to the RMH obstetric unit and petitioned successfully for the addition of tubs when the birth center was newly renovated. In fact, our first hydrotherapy client was so proactive, she brought her own tub into the hospital.
Both staff CNMs volunteer at a local free clinic and participate in many community health and educational programs, including those dealing with menopause, herbal remedies for women, emergency childbirth for EMT’s, and young women entering puberty. Staff also volunteer at a battered women’s shelter.
Whenever requested, both CNMs have precepted CNM and Nurse Practitioner students along with other students interested in midwifery and women’s health. Mary Adamson and staff CNM, Kim Meuche, hold prescriptive authority and have served actively within the local chapter; Ms. Adamson as co-chair.
In conjunction with Nurse-Midwifery Week, CLNM is planning a “Birthday Picnic,” to celebrate ten years of practice and nearly a thousand babies born into their care.
CLNM has overcome several barriers and crises during the past ten years and with the support of hospital administration, physicians, and clients, CLNM staff look forward to another ten years serving their community and providing an alternative to traditional medical care.
