“We’re really excited about the ‘magic hour’ our midwife will be helping us create right after I give birth,” says Natalie Smith, who is expecting her first baby in October.  “Barring any unforeseen circumstances, once our midwife delivers the baby, she’ll step back so we can have some intimate, uninterrupted family time. She’ll take care of anything medical that can’t wait, but she knows our priority is skin-to-skin time as a new family.

“The holistic, relationship-based approach at the UCLA Nurse-Midwife program fit our needs perfectly.  It’s been a true partnership since day one.   At every step of the way, my wellbeing – at every level – has been considered and attended to.  My partner and I have felt so supported on this journey.”

The UCLA Health Nurse-Midwives Program recently expanded its services to provide well-woman exams and screenings for women under the age of 35. This program enables patients who do not yet have plans to start a family, to continue their care with practitioners they already know and trust.

Learn more: http://obgyn.ucla.edu/nurse-midwives

Tags: featured, healthy pregnancy, midwives, nurse midwives, nurse-midwife program, Nursing, OBGYN, Obstetrics & Gynecology, pregnancy, The BirthPlace, UCLA Nurse Midwives, UCLA OB/GYN