Mon-Fri: 8:00am – 4:30pm
1900 Electric Rd. MOB West Suite 1030-NM
Salem, VA 24153
Phone: (540) 772-3650
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About LewisGale Physicians Midwifery
At LewisGale Physicians, our highly skilled, certified nurse midwives (CNM) specialize in women’s healthcare services and provide care to women of all ages, from adolescence through menopause and beyond. Our team is committed to respecting patients’ preferences with a care philosophy that includes focusing on giving patients the support, education, and information they need to make the right choices for themselves.
When it comes time to choose a healthcare provider for your maternity care needs, women who desire less medical intervention during low-risk pregnancy, labor, and birth often choose a CNM for their care. Our team of CNMs attend births in a safe, high-quality hospital setting at LewisGale Medical Center. Experienced in collaborative care models, our CNMs partner with board-certified OB/GYNs, who are also with LewisGale Physicians, when necessary to deliver safe, customize care to meet each person’s individual needs. Should a complication arise, our OB/GYNs are available for consultation and ready to assist at all times.
We also provide a comprehensive range of women’s services including, but not limited to, well woman visits, Pap smears, breast exams, referrals for mammograms and lab tests, and treatments or referrals for various gynecological issues and conditions.
For your convenience, our nurse midwives schedule patient appointments at our main Salem office as well as Blacksburg, Floyd, and Radford.
We are welcoming new patients. Schedule an appointment online or call our office at (540) 772-3650.
Services provided
Gynecology services
- Breast exams
- Contraceptive management
- Education and support
- Gynecological exams
- Lab tests
- Menopause management and treatment
- Pap smears and referrals for abnormal tests
- Referral for mammograms
- Treatment for minor infections such as vaginitis
- Well-woman visits
Maternity services
- Low-risk pregnancy care
- family planning visits
- Preconception and prenatal care
- Dating and anatomy ultrasounds
- Significant amount of time with one-on-one care during labor
- Newborn delivery
- Unmedicated
- Medicated, including epidurals, nitrous oxide, and IV pain medication
- Postpartum care
- Breastfeeding support
Our group of experienced midwives offers a comprehensive range of services, including gynecologic care, annual exams, and counseling for birth control as well as insertions of birth control types like IUDs and implants. We specialize in prenatal care, labor and delivery support, postpartum care, and breastfeeding support. Our collective expertise allows us to provide evidence-based, personalized and attentive care to each person we care for.
Midwives, including our team, provide personalized, holistic care that focuses on supporting the natural process of pregnancy and childbirth with our patient and their family at the center. We are also trained to assess for any complications or high-risk conditions that arise. Obstetricians are medical doctors who specialize in medically managing pregnancies and birth, and can provide operative and surgical interventions, such as vacuum, forceps, and cesarean sections. Your midwives are able to consult with our board-certified OB/GYN colleagues 24/7, should their expert advice or assistance be needed.
Our approach as a group emphasizes partnership with our patients, trust-building, empowerment, informed decision-making, and support for the physiological process of childbirth. We believe in a model of patient empowerment, while also providing recommendations based on our knowledge and experience. This helps patients make choices that align with their values and preferences while drawing upon the collective expertise of our team.
We attend births in the hospital, where help in an emergency is readily available. We have unique tools for supporting physiologic birth, including birth balls and peanut balls, showers, hydrotherapy tubs, squat bars and our training and presence as midwives. We generally spend time in our patients’ rooms providing labor support throughout labor and are present as our patients move through the second stage, in which they are pushing their baby out. In addition to supporting unmedicated labor, we are also able to offer pain management options for people who would prefer to have nitrous oxide, IV pain medication, or an epidural for their labor.
As a group of midwives, we are collectively trained to recognize and manage complications within our scope of practice. In the event of a medical emergency or the need for interventions beyond our expertise, we collaborate closely with obstetricians and other healthcare providers to ensure the safety of mother and baby.
We provide education and assistance with breastfeeding techniques, latch, positioning, and troubleshooting common challenges. Our group approach allows us to offer diverse perspectives and support strategies, ensuring that mothers receive comprehensive care and guidance. While in the hospital, our patients have ready access to our lactation team, who is present daily to help ensure parents have the help they need as they start their breastfeeding journey. We have a well-maintained list of outpatient lactation consultants (IBCLCs) to whom we can refer moms who want or need more support once they transition home from the hospital.
We support a woman's right to choose the pain management options that best suit her needs and preferences. Our group provides a range of support techniques, including natural coping methods and medical interventions, while respecting each individual's autonomy and preferences. We have unique tools for supporting physiologic birth, including birth balls and peanut balls, showers, hydrotherapy tubs, squat bars, and our presence as midwives. For medical pain interventions, our patients have access to nitrous oxide, IV pain medication, and epidurals.
Partners or support persons are encouraged to actively participate in the birthing process according to the birthing person's wishes. Our group provides guidance and support to partners, ensuring that they feel empowered to assist and advocate for the mother during labor and delivery.
Our postpartum care includes monitoring the physical and emotional well-being of the postpartum patient, providing support as the family adjusts to parenthood, providing multiple postpartum visits, and 24/7 access to a midwife for questions or concerns. With our team approach, patients benefit from the collective expertise and support of our group. We keep active lists of local support groups and counselors for patients experiencing postpartum mood or anxiety disorders, and provide screening for these conditions.
We offer comprehensive prenatal testing and screenings based on evidence-based guidelines and the individual needs of each client, including the most state-of-the-art screening available. Our group provides thorough information about the purpose, benefits, risks and costs of each test, ensuring that clients feel empowered and informed as they make their decisions. We respect each family’s right to decide if screenings are right for them.
- To become a certified nurse-midwife (CNM), individuals undergo rigorous education and training. Nurse-midwives hold a four-year nursing degree as well as a graduate degree in midwifery from an accredited institution. Throughout their education, CNMs study various aspects of women's health, including anatomy and physiology, prenatal care, labor and delivery management, postpartum care, gynecological exams, family planning, and primary care.
- After completing their formal education, aspiring midwives must also fulfill clinical requirements, which often involve hands-on experience working under the supervision of experienced midwives and healthcare professionals. This clinical training allows them to develop essential skills in patient care, communication, critical thinking, and decision-making.
- Once they have completed their education and clinical training, individuals seeking certification as midwives must pass a national certification exam administered by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) or a similar certifying body. This exam assesses their knowledge, skills, and competency in the field of midwifery.
- Certified nurse-midwives adhere to the midwifery model of care, a philosophy of care that emphasizes a woman-centered approach, informed decision-making, and the promotion of physiological childbirth. They work collaboratively with their clients to provide personalized care that respects their autonomy, preferences, and cultural beliefs. CNMs also collaborate with other healthcare providers, including obstetricians, pediatricians, and primary care providers to ensure comprehensive and coordinated care for their patients.
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