Labor and delivery nurses care for women during labor and childbirth, monitor the baby and mother postpartum, coach mothers, and assist doctors.

Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) are providers who care for women throughout their lifespan.

Midwives perform physical exams, prescribe medications, order laboratory tests, provide prenatal care, and gynecological care, and guide women through labor and birth care.

They also provide health education and counseling to women of all ages.

CNMs have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) before entering midwifery education programs.

Neonatal nurse practitioners serve as primary caregivers for premature babies and other newborns that require special care due to low birth weight, respiratory distress, congenital heart defects, or various other abnormalities and disorders.

NNPs typically hold a master’s degree, a registered nursing license, and nurse practitioner certification.

Between their BSN, MSN, and NNP program, an NNP usually has to complete about seven years of schooling.

At South County Hospital, an NNP is a part of every delivery to ensure the best possible outcome for mom and baby.

Certified Lactation Consultants are professionals who have demonstrated the necessary skills, knowledge, and attitudes to provide breastfeeding counseling and management support to families who are thinking about breastfeeding or who have questions or problems during the course of breastfeeding/lactation.

CLCs come from a variety of different educational and employment backgrounds, including:

• mothers
• peer counselors
• educators
• nurses
• childbirth
• educators
• doulas
• nutritionists
• dieticians
• midwives
• physicians
• social workers
• public health workers
• public administrators, and many others