Health Compass Newsletter

Sarah Humphrey, MD, shares how the CMH Family Birth Center and the CMH-OHSU Health Obstetrics & Gynecology Clinic support our community, including new OB-GYN patients, and the services available to them at CMH.

Q: What can pregnant patients expect from the OB-GYN Clinic?

We provide prenatal care for any pregnant person. The first step is to schedule a phone intake with a nurse, who will then schedule you for an ultrasound and provider visit between eight and 11 weeks, depending on your needs and preferences.

You will be cared for by one primary OB-GYN or CNM (certified nurse midwife) throughout your pregnancy, but you may see the other providers in the clinic due to scheduling considerations. This is encouraged, as we do not know who will be on call when you give birth. We are unable to guarantee a provider for delivery because, by rotating call, we ensure a well-rested provider.

If your pregnancy is especially high-risk and you need to deliver at a hospital in Portland, we will work closely with that team to minimize travel when safe to do so. Although we are not currently able to offer vaginal birth after a prior cesarean (C-section)delivery, we can still care for you during your pregnancy, then refer you to a facility that offers these for your birth.

Q: Can you tell us about labor and delivery at CMH?

We are here to support you, whether you opt for an unmedicated childbirth or decide to use pain medications during labor. A whirlpool tub, epidural anesthesia, nitrous oxide and IV pain medications are available 24/7. Our Family Birth Center team is dedicated to your physical and psychological safety. Wireless monitors are available, and the team encourages movement and position changes during labor, while carefully monitoring you and your baby. We welcome doulas and any other support people you wish to have at your birth.

We only use vacuum-assisted delivery when absolutely necessary and with your permission, and we do not routinely do episiotomies, except in very rare, unique situations.
In addition to vaginal births, we provide C-section births — both emergent and planned — and tailor the experience to your individual needs, including skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding in the operating room, always keeping you with your baby, if safe. We work very hard to avoid cesarean births where possible and have a low C-section rate.

A pediatrician will see your baby after birth at CMH, every day you are in the hospital and as needed in-between. They will help you coordinate follow-up care for your newborn after discharge. No medications or tests will be administered to your baby without your consent. We encourage immediate skin-to-skin contact and delayed cord clamping, and your baby will room with you after birth.

Q: What other things are addressed by the clinic during pregnancy and the postpartum period?

Our clinic team includes an IBCLC-certified lactation consultant who provides breastfeeding assistance, a social worker who checks in with patients during pregnancy and the postpartum period, and two car seat safety technicians who can assess your car seat for safe installation at no cost.
We are focused on your well-being and helping you have a safe and healthy pregnancy and delivery experience. Your care doesn't end when you have your baby. We typically see you at two and six weeks postpartum, or more frequently or on an ongoing basis, if needed.

Q. Is there anything else you would like the community to know moving forward?

The CMH-OHSU Health OB-GYN team is committed to keeping you in control of your care. You are the expert on your body, and we will make every effort to listen to, discuss and abide by your preferences.
For all care, we follow up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines, but in the end, you are always the decision-maker for your body.

We focus on providing options and trauma-informed care to ensure you feel safe.

Categories: Women's Health