What Does a Certified Nurse Midwife Do (and How Is It Different from an OB-GYN)?

Understanding the Role of a Certified Nurse Midwife

When many people hear “midwife,” pregnancy and birth often come to mind. At Obstetricians & Gynecologists, PC, our midwifery team — Julie Runcie and Brandy Rogers — provides much more: advanced women’s health care across all stages of life.
Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) are advanced practice registered nurses with specialized training in women’s health, pregnancy, childbirth, and preventive care. They provide comprehensive, evidence-based health services for women of all ages — from adolescence through menopause — with a strong focus on education, collaboration, and personalized care.

Education and Training: What Sets a CNM Apart

To qualify as a CNM, providers complete years of advanced education and clinical training. Julie holds a Master of Science in Nursing — Nurse Midwifery, and Brandy likewise earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Frontier Nursing University and is board-certified by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.

This training allows CNMs to:

• Conduct routine women’s health exams and screenings
• Provide prenatal, labor, and postpartum care
• Manage certain higher-risk pregnancies in collaboration with physicians
• Offer contraception and family planning services
• Address menopause and hormonal transitions
• Provide health education and wellness counseling In short, midwives are experts in healthy pregnancies and holistic wellness, offering strong expertise in normal progression and personalized support.

How Midwives and OB-GYNs Work Together

At OBGYN, midwives and OB-GYN physicians collaborate to deliver seamless, well-rounded care. They don’t replace one another — they complement one another. Here’s how:

Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)

• Focuses on low-risk pregnancies, natural birth support, preventive wellness
• Emphasizes shared decision-making and patient autonomy
• Offers continuous labor support and higher time-for-education

OB-GYN Physician

• Focuses on complex and high-risk pregnancies, surgical and advanced medical interventions
• Provides medical management when needed, including surgical options
• Oversees less common or more medically involved scenarios

Together, the midwife team and OB-GYN physicians at OBGYN ensure you receive the right level of care — from supportive, low-intervention births to advanced medical treatment when needed.

The Benefits of Midwife-Led Care

Choosing a CNM like Julie or Brandy offers many advantages:

• 1. Personalized attention: 1.More time per visit, deeper relationships, thorough education.
• 2. Lower intervention rates: While always safe and evidence-based, midwife-led care often means fewer unnecessary procedures
• 3. Collaborative support: Midwives collaborate with physicians and hospital teams for safety and continuity.
• 4. Holistic approach: Physical, emotional and social health are addressed.
• 5. Continuity of care: The same provider (or midwife team) supports you across pregnancy, birth and postpartum.

At OBGYN, this model gives you the best of both worlds: the personalized, relationship-based midwifery care of Julie & Brandy, backed by the full resources of our OB-GYN physician team.

When to See a Certified Nurse Midwife

Midwives provide care for far more than pregnancy. Julie and Brandy are available for:

• Annual wellness exams and Pap smears
• Birth control counseling and management
• Preconception care and fertility guidance
• Prenatal visits and labor support
• Menopause management and hormone education
• Postpartum recovery and lactation support No matter your life stage, the midwife team at OBGYN puts your voice and your preferences front and center.

Choosing the Right Provider for You

Both CNMs and OB-GYNs are essential parts of women’s health care. The choice often depends on your individual preferences, health history, and goals.
If you’re looking for a provider who combines medical expertise with personalized, relationship-focused care , consider Julie Runcie or Brandy Rogers at Obstetricians & Gynecologists, PC. And if your care ever requires additional medical or surgical intervention, our OB-GYN physicians are right there — working in harmony.

Learn If Midwife Care Is Right for You

Discover how midwifery can enhance your health and wellness experience. Whether you’re planning a pregnancy or seeking a compassionate women’s health provider, the midwife team of Julie and Brandy is here to support you every step of the way. Schedule your visit with Julie or Brandy today