REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH JOURNEY - VANDERBILT CENTER FOR WOMEN'S HEALTH COLUMBIA

By Emily Stembridge

Between physicians, certified nurse midwives, and advanced practice registered nurses, Vanderbilt Center for Women's Health Columbia is well equipped to serve as a cornerstone during every step of your reproductive health journey.

Vanderbilt Center for Women’s Health Columbia provides a personalized approach for women through all stages of life with local, knowledgeable providers. Our clinic offers comprehensive gynecological and obstetrical care with surgeries and deliveries at Maury Regional Medical Center.

“We also offer high-risk obstetrics, maternal-fetal medicine, ultrasound, and midwifery services,” said Karen Davis, MD, assistant professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology and medical co-director of Vanderbilt Center for Women’s Health Columbia. “Our goal is to provide personalized care for all of our patients, ensuring you understand and accept the care you’re receiving.”

Certified nurse midwives at Vanderbilt Center for Women’s Health Columbia pay specific attention to your needs during pregnancy and birth, offering guidance, advice, and connection. We believe that mothers know best, which is why we give patients the voice to alter their pregnancy and birth plans to fit their needs and desires. Many mothers receiving care from a midwife report feeling better heard, understood, and advocated for under a midwife’s careful watch.

With a background in nursing, certified nurse midwives offer education to patients, limiting unnecessary interventions on a case-by-case level. They utilize various evidence-based practices and tend to have a lower cesarean section rate. They work closely with their physician colleagues, and in partnership with you, to help make the best decisions for you and your baby. No matter your risk level, our entire team is there to customize your birth plan to keep you and your baby safe and healthy.

We have a unique opportunity to be with patients during their highest of highs, and sometimes their lowest of lows. We offer a gentle ear to listen, a firm hand of support, and everything in between to care for you during your entire reproductive health journey. Our practice model is a team model — both the certified nurse midwives and physicians collaborate to provide the best experience possible to our patients.

“We present all your care options to you and discuss the risk and benefits of each,” said Therese Whitten, MD, assistant professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and medical co-director of Vanderbilt Center for Women’s Health Columbia. “This allows you to truly make informed decisions about your care. We empower our patients to have a say, leading to higher patient satisfaction scores and better patient involvement.”

We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all birthing model — instead, we offer the intimate care you expect of a private practice with the bonus of having access to all the resources of a large academic institution. Our patients get the best of both worlds. At Vanderbilt Center for Women’s Health Columbia, we are ready to help you personalize your pregnancy and birth plan to get the delivery that you dream of. n