Allegheny Health Network’s Jefferson Midwives Debuts New Clinic Location in Washington County

Monday, October 14, 2024

Press Releases Peters Township Health + Wellness Pavilion Women and Infants Center

Certified Nurse Midwives Launches Practice at the AHN Peters Health + Wellness Pavilion

McMurray, Pa - Allegheny Health Midwives, a practice within Allegheny Health Network's (AHN) Women's Institute and a leading provider of certified nurse midwife (CNM) care in southwestern Pennsylvania, has opened its first clinic location in Washington County.

Allegheny Health Midwives is now caring for patients at its new AHN Peters Health + Wellness Pavilion location at 122 Gallery Drive, McMurray, Pa. Allegheny Health Midwives also has practice locations in Uniontown, Brentwood and AHN Jefferson Hospital.

Appointments are available with providers including, but not limited to, Stephanie L. Ehland, CNM; Amy Gramz, CNM; Emily Swinehart, CNM; Abigail Slocum, CNM , Aubrey Kendig, CNM and Diana M Shane, CNM.

"Allegheny Health Midwives provides deep clinical expertise for not only expectant mothers and birthing people, but for any patient in need of gynecological services," said Marcia Klein-Patel, MD, PhD, Chair of AHN Women's Institute. "We're beyond thrilled to expand this leading practice to its new location in Washington County, to better serve the area's rapidly growing needs and provide convenient access to comprehensive, compassionate care throughout every stage of life."

Allegheny Health Midwives provide a full range of obstetric and gynecological wellness services from early onset puberty through post-menopausal care. Although most closely associated with prenatal, labor and postpartum care, certified nurse midwives also perform pap smears and annual exams, manage birth control prescriptions and manage symptoms related to menstruation, polycystic ovarian syndrome and sexually transmitted infections.

"It's a common misconception that midwives only provide holistic medicine for expecting patients before and following delivery," said Amy Gramz, CNM, Allegheny Health Midwives. "But that's just not the case. Our goal is to work collaboratively with birthing patients to provide them with personalized and tailored care plans - whether that's an epidural and a scheduled induction, or an all-natural birth experience. We take time to learn about patient goals, practice shared decision-making and form a strong partnership with our families to achieve their desired experience, as long as it's within medical possibility."

Certified nurse midwives can be a great provider choice for low-risk obstetric patients, said Gramz.

For higher-risk pregnancies and cesarean sections, Allegheny Health Midwives works closely with physicians from AHN Jefferson Hospital, many of whom also provide services from the Peters Health + Wellness Pavilion.

Patients of Allegheny Health Midwives will deliver at AHN Jefferson Hospital's labor and delivery unit, which features beautiful, expansive private birthing and postpartum suites and a level II neonatal intensive care unit.

In the U.S., roughly 94 percent of CNM-led births take place in a hospital, according to the National Institutes of Health.

A CNM is a registered nurse who went on to an accredited midwifery school for education in birth, gynecology care and women's services. Following accreditation, CNM must remain certified through the American Midwifery Certification Board and maintain an active nurse license, a medical midwifery license, and a prescriptive license.

Like OB/GYN physicians, CNMs abide by guidelines established by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

To make an appointment with Allegheny Health Midwives, call 412-267-6600.

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