Northfield Hospital + Clinics welcomes certified nurse midwife Jessica Bohren, APRN, CNM. She joins our Women’s Health Center as we expand options for care with pregnancy and birth.

A certified nurse midwife (CNM) encourages a natural childbirth experience, letting the miracle of birth unfold through empowerment, attentive waiting, natural alternatives and low intervention.

For women who want a birth with minimal intervention – with the resources of a hospital and doctor close by if needed – we’ve got it covered.

As a midwife, Jessica believes in empowering and educating women so that they can make the best decisions regarding their health, pregnancy, labor and birth. “I believe that pregnancy and birth are normal life processes,” she says. “I work to provide evidence-based care that is high-touch and low-intervention.”

Jessica builds strong relationships with women and families to focus on their unique needs. Through information, education and support, Jessica can help women make the best decisions for their health, pregnancy, labor and birth.

Jessica has eight years’ experience as a labor and delivery nurse and six years as a Certified Nurse Midwife. She is board-certified by American Midwifery Certification Board.

During pregnancy care and childbirth, your midwife will:

• support your birthing choices
• provide natural, holistic care
• empower you to make the choices you want for your birth
• provide education and support
• offer natural alternatives for pain management
• labor in shower or tub, massage, aromatherapy, birthing balls, intermittent monitoring, different labor positions
• support your decisions regarding medication in labor
• nitrous oxide, IV medications, and epidural are available
• welcome the use of doulas for labor support

Your midwife also can:

• provide annual well-woman exams, including pap smears
• provide family planning options
• offer routine gynecological care

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a certified nurse midwife?

A Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) completes a four-year nursing degree followed by a master's or doctoral degree in nursing. Then they complete two to three years of advanced training in midwifery care. After graduation, they must pass a national certification exam to be certified by the American College of Nurse-Midwives and begin practice as a CNM. They stay up to date on the latest advances to provide the best possible care. Many Certified Nurse Midwives also have experience as labor and delivery, postpartum or nursery nurses.

What is the midwife philosophy?

Midwives believe that birth is a natural life process. Our nurse midwife provides the information, education and support needed to empower women to make the best decisions regarding their health, pregnancy, labor and birth. She will work with you on wellness, nutrition, and healthy lifestyle, all while supporting your emotional and physical well-being. 

How does a nurse midwife differ from traditional birth experience?

A nurse midwife will:

• have longer appointment times to get to know you and your wishes
• provide patient- and family-centered care
• educate and empower you to make choices
• participate in your labor experience
• offer you natural comfort measures during labor
• guide you on optimal positions during the birthing process
• respect your delivery wishes
• collaborate with our team of OB/Gyn physicians if complications occur

Can I get pain medication if needed?

Yes. Since you are delivering in a hospital, you will have access to the same pain management options as our patients cared for by our physician team.  A wide range of pain management options are available including IV, nitrous oxide, and epidural. 

What if I need a doctor?

Our midwife works in collaboration with a team of OB/GYN doctors as needed to ensure optimum care for women and their babies. In addition, we have advanced practice providers, a maternal fetal medicine specialist for high-risk pregnancies, nutritionists and radiologists who can all help if a pregnancy becomes high-risk. Care among the team is seamless, and provides women with a full spectrum of care.

Midwife services at the Women’s Health Center:

• Pregnancy care; 30- to 60-minute prenatal visits
• Childbirth/Delivery
• Support of natural childbirth, birth plans and doulas
• Breastfeeding support
• Postpartum counseling
• 2- and 6-week postpartum appointments after delivery
• Preconception counseling
• Annual well-woman exams, including pap smears
• Birth control and family planning including Nexplanon® and IUD
• Routine gynecological care