Wellness

By Sanford Health

Midwives play a big role in women’s health care before, during, and after pregnancy care. We’re here to dispel any confusion surrounding midwives and the services they provide.

Considering a midwife? Find one near you.

Myth: Midwives only offer pregnancy care

The care a midwife can provide goes beyond pregnancy and childbirth. Midwives provide a personal, relationship-based approach to a full scope of care needs. This includes family planning, postpartum care, menopause care, and gynecological care.

“We can care for women before puberty, before their first period all the way up not only to but through menopause,” says Megan Burgers, C.N.M., a certified nurse-midwife at Sanford Health.

A midwife can perform your daughter’s first pap smear and be her healthcare provider throughout her life. Myth: Midwives lack formal training

A certified nurse-midwife has a master’s degree in nursing and has been certified with special training in midwifery. When women choose to receive care from a midwife, they have access to the highest standard of care and a variety of options.

In fact, the care a midwife offers is all about options.

“We come at women’s health from a perspective of wholeness and wellness and education and options. And I would say that we’re passionate about providing education and options,” says Burgers. “I love teaching women about how their bodies work so that they can make personalized choices for themselves.”

Myth: You can choose either a midwife or a doctor – not both

At Sanford Health, that myth couldn’t be farther from the truth.

“We are well integrated into the Sanford umbrella, meaning we have easy access to our colleagues,” says Burgers. “Our offices are right around the corner from the OB/GYNs.”

Midwives work hand-in-hand with physicians through collaboration, connection, and referrals. If necessary, midwives can get in touch with experts quickly and easily. They have access to maternal-fetal medicine, obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive endocrinology specialists.

In short: You can work with both. This also extends to your primary care. You can see a family medicine provider for your general wellness care and a midwife for your OB/GYN needs.

Myth: Midwives only work with low-risk pregnancies

If a woman has a high-risk pregnancy or one with complications, she can still have a nurse-midwife on her care team.

Women can work with maternal-fetal experts to get the specialized care they need. After those appointments, they can pop over to a midwife for all their other pregnancy needs. Even for high-risk pregnancies, midwives can still deliver the baby in many cases.

If you choose to or need to deliver via C-section, your OB/ GYN provider will perform the surgery, but a midwife can offer support in other ways. They’ll be by your side during surgery and beyond.

When caring for pregnancies that seem low-risk, midwives are always on alert for signs of complications. If something does go wrong, help is often just down the hall.

“We can seamlessly discuss what’s going on, what needs to happen and help move towards whatever is necessary to help keep her and the baby safe,” says Burgers.

Pregnancy care you can count on

Having a midwife by your side during your pregnancy gives you access to a variety of care options – not fewer.

“We have longer appointment times to be able to have longer conversations. Not necessarily just medical focused but also discussing the holistic whole person,” says Burgers.

When women feel supported, it can affect every aspect of childbirth.

“Making a woman feel comfortable and safe in labor is vitally important for not only her experience but the labor process itself. It actually influences the hormones and chemicals involved in the labor process. And so, we talk during the pregnancy about comfort options,” says Burgers.

Midwives offer all pain relief options, including medications like epidurals. Women can also explore natural alternatives like water births and hypnobirthing.

“I encourage people to bring up questions and ask for alternatives and see what’s out there,” says Burgers. n

To speak with a hospice specialist, visit amedisys.com/referrals or contact us at 605-338-2066

Equal opportunity provider of healthcare services

6301 West 41st St., Sioux Falls Hours: Tuesday–Friday 9am–5pm

When we think about the holiday season, many of us connect to traditions grounding us to our families, feelings towards one another, and hope for a healthy new year. For Dr. Brad Hruby, his wife Kate, and their four daughters, holiday traditions are an important part of their family. Whatever your holiday season brings, Dr. Hruby and his team want you to remember how important it is to take care of yourself and your loved ones. One way to reinforce this care is partnering with a family practice doctor.

Patients of all ages can benefit from regular checkups with their family physician to keep them healthy. It is why Dr. Hruby and Sioux Falls Specialty Hospital want to stress the importance of building a relationship with your family care physician and understanding the importance of preventative care for yourself and your loved ones. Undoubtedly, comprehensive family care is one of the best ways to stay healthy, not just for the holidays but for all stages of life.

“I enjoy building relationships with my patients and their families so they can trust my guidance through all their health maintenance and prevention needs,” says Dr. Hruby. “I want my patients to know that when they come through the doors at Hruby Clinic, they can trust that they will see me every time.”

From annual checkups, wellchild visits, immunizations, sports physicals, lab work, minor procedures, diagnosis and treatment for acute or chronic illness, minor injuries, and referrals for specialty care, Dr. Hruby and his team are here for you. We treat you like family. Call to set up a time for your whole family to meet with us. We offer convenient online scheduling and in-person or telehealth appointments. Our clinic is located in the Sioux Falls Urgent Care building on the 2nd level. We look forward to seeing you!

Dr. Brad Hruby 7600 S Minnesota Ave (85th & Minnesota) 605.444.8650 sfsh.com/family-medicine/

Dr. Brad Hruby | Photo by Kelly Middlebrooks

Dow Rummel takes senior living to a whole new level. With great amenities and all levels of care – from independent living through skilled nursing – you will feel at home in no time. Discover the Dow Rummel difference.

During the coming winter months our immune systems will be challenged by the cold and an array of bacteria. We have two products specific to boost your immune system for protection through winter and prevention of viral infections, like Covid. These two products are Immune Daily Support and n-acetylcysteine (NAC). Immune Daily Support is a formulation of nutrients that have been found to be essential for a healthy immune system, but may be functionally deficient in many individuals. NAC is included in Immune Daily Support and is converted into glutathione, a natural antioxidant to help improve immune function and regulate the immune balance during a viral infection. NAC can be more important when the respiratory system is involved. Consider trying one or both products to maintain wellness during the winter months. Both products are 20% off during December and January. Stop in and we can answer any questions you may have.

2333 W 57th St, Ste 109 | Sioux Falls 605.334.1672 | rxpsi.com Hours: Mon – Fri 8:30am – 5:30pm