Midwifery
Delaware Valley ObGYN has been offering midwifery care to the families in Mercer County for over 20 years. We have been a leader in the community for offering options to individuals seeking a midwife and are now one of the best-known midwifery practices, not only in this county, but in the entire state. The group of midwives through the years has grown and evolved, but providing personalized, quality care has always been at the heart of what we do. We honor the midwives who came before us by carrying on the strong tradition of caring and advancing the goal to opening access to midwifery care to more people. The strong history here is evidenced by the amazing group of midwives we have now.
The word midwife literally means “with women”. Today, individuals who hold the title of certified nurse-midwife (CNM) are highly educated professionals who work independently, or collaboratively with physician colleagues, as dictated by the needs of the woman. A CNM is an individual educated in the two separate disciplines of nursing and midwifery, and is certified via the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM, 1987). Nurse midwifery practice is the independent management of women’s health care, focusing particularly on pregnancy and gynecological needs of well women. The CNM practices within a health care system that provides for consultation, collaborative management or referral, as indicated, by the health status of the client. CNMs practice in accord with the “Standards for the Practice of Nurse-Midwifery,” as defined by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.
At Delaware Valley OBGYN and Princeton Midwifery, our team offers a midwifery model of care that is client centered. No matter where you are on your health journey, we consider ourselves partners with you, guiding you through all phases of your life using education, shared decision making and empowerment.
We practice according to the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) “Standards of Practice”, “Code of Ethics for Certified Nurse-Midwives”, “Philosophy of the American College of Nurse-Midwives”, and formal protocols developed in collaboration with the faculty of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Nurse-midwifery management has been proven to be safe while providing the support so vitally necessary to make the childbirth experience more rewarding, satisfying, and empowering for women. This philosophy extends to the care of women throughout the life cycle.
We believe pregnancy, birth, and menopause are normal life changes in which the woman and her family are encouraged to actively participate.
We use evidence-based care and a collaborative team approach. We provide physical, emotional, educational, social, and spiritual support by creating an atmosphere that nurtures family growth and bonding.
Our practice provides a collaborative care model. This means that the midwives, obstetricians and maternal fetal medicine specialists all work closely to provide your care.
As a result, benefits include:
• Higher patient satisfaction
• Higher likelihood of vaginal birth
• Less chance of cesarean delivery
• Lower preterm birth rates
• Lower rates of epidural use (although epidurals are available to all our patients)
• Lower episiotomy rates
Meet Our Midwifery Team
Our Midwifery Services
We take pride in offering you individualized, fulfilling and exceptional care throughout your pregnancy. Patients are seen by all our midwives and rotate prenatal visit appointments among our midwives. By the time you reach labor, you and your family will know each of us personally. We typically see patients for a new OB visit at around 10-12 weeks gestation. However, we do accept clients who are transferring care from another provider, even late in pregnancy.
Each woman and pregnancy are unique. The schedule of care may change depending upon your needs. However, appointments are generally scheduled at intervals of increasing frequency as your pregnancy progresses.
Sample Schedule:
• Every 4 weeks from 1st trimester-28 weeks
• Every 2 weeks from 28 weeks-36 weeks
• Weekly from 36 weeks-41 weeks
• Every 2 days from 41-42 weeks
Prenatal services offered include:
• Routine lab draws
• Genetic screening
• Gestational diabetes screening
• Non-stress tests
• Limited ultrasound for baby’s position
We create a partnership with you and your family to help you envision and plan your ideal birth experience.
Our midwives offer continuous, 24-hour, in-hospital coverage of labor and delivery at the Birthing Center at Penn Medicine Princeton Health. Our certified nurse-midwives provide care through the labor, delivery, and postpartum process, and are trained to manage unexpected complications. We work closely with our practice partner physicians if a cesarean or operative vaginal birth is required.
We support options for birth plans and offer natural birth as well as medicated birth in the hospital labor and delivery setting.
When you choose us, you will benefit from the following:
• Lower rates of intervention
• Non-pharmacologic pain management techniques as well as IV and epidurals
• Mobility during labor if not medically contraindicated
• Emotional support and encouragement
• Reduced incidence of Cesarean delivery when compared with national and even State rates
Breastfeeding provides benefits for both mother and baby. Our midwives are experts in helping you achieve your breastfeeding goals. We will provide you with the tools you need to get started and resources for support if needed.
Our midwives believe that the postpartum period is precious and should be nourished and cherished. Whether this is your first baby or your fourth, each birth means adjusting to a growing family, a changing body, fluctuating hormones and evolving emotions.
Post-partum visits are important as we want to make sure mother and baby are doing well and that you are happy and healthy.
Our certified nurse midwives are trained to manage your well-woman care. We know that women want caring providers who listen to their concerns. We adapt your well-woman plan of care to fit your unique needs.
These are just some of the services we offer:
• Pap tests and HPV screening
• Breast exams and referrals for mammograms
• Gynecological problem visits (abnormal bleeding/discharge)
• Contraception counseling and prescriptions
• IUD and contraception insertions and removals
• Natural family planning education
• Sexual health counseling
• STD testing
• Pelvic floor assessment (urinary incontinence, painful intercourse, etc.)
• And MUCH MORE!
Ursula Miguel joined Delaware Valley OBGYN in 2001 and was tasked with starting the midwifery arm of our practice, Princeton Midwifery Care. Ursula worked long hours and moved between two separate hospitals at times to serve the birthing women of the Princeton area. Adding more midwives over the years Ursula oversaw a staff of up to five midwives. Eventually the decision was made to offer care exclusively at Penn Medicine Princeton, which provided a much better birthing experience for all of our clients. In 2018 we join Lifeline Medical Associates which provided even more resources for us and our patients. The efforts of the midwives who have come and gone over the years has allowed Princeton Midwifery Care to grow and flourish. Ursula retired in 2021 but the legacy she started lives on. She is enjoying a slower pace but was honored to leave the practice in the loving hands of her sister midwives to carry her dream of bringing midwifery care to every woman.
Our Practice's Birth Statistics 2021
- Total Births - 658
- Vaginal Births - 460
- Cesarean Births - 175
- VBACs - 23
- Episiotomy rate - 1.6%
- NTSV Cesarean Section rate - 19% *
* Pregnancies that end in Cesarean Section (CS) in someone who has never had a baby before (Nulliparous), at or beyond 37 weeks(Term), only one baby (Singleton) and baby is head down (Vertex). This CS rate is used by The Joint Commission as a benchmark for comparing hospitals and practices and for goal setting. Our rate of 19% is below the national average of 25.6% (2019 per CDC.gov); the state average of 33.2% (2020 per CDC.gov), and surpasses the Healthy People 2030 goal of 23.6%.
