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Type of Providers.
What is a midwife?
A midwife is a person who has successfully completed a midwifery education program, is nationally certified as a certified nurse-midwife (CNM), certified midwife (CM) or certified professional midwife (CPM) and is licensed in the State of Hawaii. CNMs are licensed under the Board of Nursing as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) and CMs and CPMs are licensed under the Midwife Program as Licensed Midwives (LMs).
Midwifery as practiced by CNMs and CMs encompasses a full range of primary health care services for women from adolescence beyond menopause. These services include the independent provision of primary care, gynecologic and family planning services, preconception care, care during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period, care of the normal newborn during the first 28 days of life, and treatment of male partners for sexually transmitted infections. Midwifery care also includes health promotion, disease prevention, and individualized wellness education and counseling. These services are provided in partnership with women and families in diverse settings.
CPMs provide care for women with normal, healthy pregnancies who birth in the community.
What is a maternal-fetal medicine specialist?
A maternal-fetal medicine specialist (previously known as perinatologist) receives a traditional obstetrics and gynecology education but with an additional three years of training to learn how to treat medical complications that are related to pregnancy. In addition, the maternal-fetal medicine specialist has extensive training in assessment and treatment of fetal problems. Pregnancy ultrasound is often interpreted by maternal-fetal medicine specialists.
You may be referred to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist if you have a pre-existing medical condition prior to pregnancy, develop a medical condition during pregnancy, or have problems during delivery. Additionally, you may see a maternal-fetal medicine specialist during pregnancy if your baby has an abnormality. During pregnancy and after delivery, the maternal-fetal medicine specialist works with your obstetric care providers, midwives, and pediatricians and helps coordinate care for both mother and baby.
What is an OB/GYN?
OB stands for obstetrics or obstetrician. They are physicians who care for women and their babies during pregnancy and childbirth. GYN stands for gynecology or gynecologist, and this is a physician who specializes in treating female reproductive conditions. An OB/GYN can provide contraceptive options to women, screen for gynecologic cancers, deliver babies, and perform major surgeries.
What are some OB/GYN subspecialties?
Complex Family Planning: A complex family planning subspecialist is an obstetrician/gynecologist who provides consultation services and comprehensive care for women with complex reproductive health needs, particularly in the management of contraception and pregnancy termination.
Gynecologic oncology: This OB/GYN subspecialty involves treating cancers located in a female’s reproductive organs. Gynecologic oncologists are specially trained in techniques used to provide the best possible treatment for patients with gynecologic cancers.
Maternal-fetal medicine: OB/GYNs who practice maternal-fetal medicine are experts in high-risk pregnancy conditions. They can address health concerns for both the mother and baby, and they also help manage complications that arise during pregnancy.
Female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery: Physicians who specialize in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery provide medical and surgical treatment to women with pelvic floor disorders. These specialists treat conditions like urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and an overactive bladder.
Reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI): Reproductive endocrinologists are OB/GYNs who evaluate and treat fertility issues for both men and women. Their expertise is also valuable for those facing reproductive health issues, such as endometriosis.