Midwives

Certified, Comprehensive Midwifery Care.

Right Here. For You.

The certified nurse midwives with St. Elizabeth Physicians Women’s Health understand the importance of a personalized birth experience. That’s why, our midwives are here to provide you with attentive, compassionate support and the knowledge to make your childbirth experience the one you imagined.

All St. Elizabeth Physicians midwives are licensed Nurse Practitioners and certified in midwifery by the American Midwifery Certification Board. You can trust they will provide competent, safe care and help you make the right choices for you and your baby.

When you choose the midwives of St. Elizabeth Physicians for your care, you’ll have access to all the award-winning birthing services at The Family Birth Place including high-risk pregnancy services should you require them.

What do midwives do?

St. Elizabeth Physicians midwives are your partner before, during and after childbirth. Our midwives provide education and prenatal care for you as you prepare for the big event. They also attend labor and delivery, coaching you through every step. After delivery, our midwives continue to see you and your newborn during postpartum visits.

Other services provided include:

Gynecology

Midwives provide care from adolescence until after menopause. This includes abnormal periods, family planning, annual exams, diagnosis and treatment of infections as well as care during menopause.

Obstetrics

Pregnancy and birth are one of the most exciting seasons in life. St. Elizabeth Physicians’ midwives provide prenatal care in three different offices. They manage labor and attend births and provide care for you and your newborn during postpartum visits at St. Elizabeth Edgewood.

Medication During Labor

You make the choice regarding pain medication. You can choose no medication, medication received through an IV or an epidural. We can manage all types of labor and the full spectrum of pain medication.

Schedule an Appointment Today!

For more information or to schedule an appointment with our certified nurse midwives, please call (859) 331-4665 today.

Find a St. Elizabeth Physicians Midwife

The midwives are conveniently located within our St. Elizabeth Physicians Women’s Health Centers. Schedule an appointment or visit one of our convenient locations in Northern Kentucky and Southeastern Indiana.

Your Certified Nurse Midwives

Certified Nurse Midwives are trained in primary care, gynecology and obstetrics. They have also prescriptive authority. All the St. Elizabeth Physicians Nurse Midwives attend births in our hospitals. Our team includes:

Jennifer Dooley, CNM

Jennifer Dooley, CNM, APRN

Lisa Downton, CNM

Lisa Downton, CNM, APRN

Allison Forbes, CNM

Allison Forbes, CNM, APRN

Amanda Dalhover

Amanda Dalhover, CNM, APRN

Mary Kay Kramer

Mary Kay Kramer, CNM, DNP, APRN

Kelly Ganster, CNM

Kelly Ganster, CNM, APRN

Amanda Parker, CNM

Amanda Parker, CNM, DNP, APRN

Laura Sessanna, CNM, APRN

Laura Sessanna, CNM, APRN

Frequently Asked Questions About Midwifery Care

Certified nurse-midwives are licensed nurse practitioners with advanced training in pregnancy, birth and women’s health. OB-GYNs are physicians who can provide both medical and surgical care. Many families choose midwives for a personalized, low-intervention approach, while still having access to OB-GYNs when needed.

Certified nurse-midwives are a safe choice for your prenatal, labor and delivery needs. These highly-trained clinicians provide safe, evidence-based care for low-risk pregnancies. They collaborate closely with OB-GYNs and Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists if additional expertise is needed.

St. Elizabeth midwives deliver at the Family Birth Place. Here, they provide the comfort of personalized care and immediate access to medical support if needed.

If you choose a midwife, you can still get an epidural. You can choose no medication, IV pain relief or an epidural. Midwives support the full range of pain management options and help you make the choice that feels right for your birth plan.

Midwives specialize in supporting natural childbirth. They offer techniques such as movement, position changes, hydrotherapy, massage, breathing strategies and hands-on support to help you labor more comfortably.

Yes, midwives can support you through an induction, whether planned or recommended. They guide comfort strategies, monitor labor and collaborate with OB-GYNs and the labor and delivery team to help ensure safe, coordinated care.

If labor takes an unexpected turn, your midwife will explain what’s happening and discuss options to keep you and your baby safe. Midwives work closely with OB-GYNs, anesthesia, and the Family Birth Place team if you need additional support or surgical care.

If a C-section is recommended, an OB-GYN will perform the surgery. Your midwife will continue to support you and remain involved in your postpartum care.

If your pregnancy becomes high risk, in many cases, you can still see your midwife. They collaborate closely with Maternal-Fetal Medicine and OB-GYNs to support higher-risk pregnancies. Depending on your needs, your midwife may continue to provide shared care or your pregnancy may transition fully to a physician team to ensure the safest outcome for you and your baby.

Midwives offer comprehensive gynecologic care, including annual exams, contraception, family planning, menstrual concerns and menopause support.

Midwives continue caring for you after childbirth through postpartum visits, newborn assessments, mental health screening and breastfeeding guidance in partnership with lactation consultants.

To choose between a midwife and an OB-GYN, think about the type of birth experience you want, your comfort level with medical intervention and whether you have any health conditions that require care from a specialist. Many families appreciate teams that include both midwives and OB-GYNs.


Explore the Family Birth Place!

Take a virtual tour and see what to expect before you deliver your bundle of joy.