Main Sections

Health Care To Women Throughout Their Life Spans Meet The Women Of Tapestry Midwifery

photo by Photo Provided L-R: Certified Nurse Midwives Martha Redpath, Maggie Gardner and Heather Kiddle are at Tapestry Midwifery and available to care for the health of their female patients through out their lives.

Tuesday July 14, 2015

By Cookie Steponaitis

For centuries women around the world have relied on the services of midwives. Steeped in tradition and lore, there are many misconceptions about midwives. Cutting through the confusion and a vibrant and growing part of Addison County health offerings to women of all ages and stages of life are the Certified Nurse Midwives of Tapestry Midwifery and Women’s Health, located at 20 Armory Lane in Vergennes, Vt is a vibrant and growing practice that provides care to women of all ages and all stages of life. Comprised of a staff of three certified nurse-midwives – Maggie Gardner, Heather Kiddle and Martha Redpath, the office manager Betsy Sullivan, front desk/registration clerk Sarah Hale, and office nurses Nancy Klopfenstein, Molly Slothower and Sarah Bouchard, Midwifery Tapestry provides health care services to women throughout their life span. Certified nurse midwives (CNM) hold masters degrees in nursing, are nationally certified and most often work in women’s health clinics and hospitals.
    “We provide annual exams, Pap tests, contraception including IUD’s and Nexaplanon; pregnancy, birth and postpartum care, and menopause management,” shared CNM Gardner. “Our appointments are typically longer than a traditional appointment and it really gives us time to get to know folks. We also tend to offer more labor support, usually if our clients are in the hospital and we are there with them. We see our jobs as being partners in health care. We offer options and provide education about the advantages and disadvantages of a test or intervention and then help the woman arrive at a decision that is right for her and her partner. Also, midwives come to pregnancy and birth from a wellness, “normal until proven otherwise,” perspective.” By taking time to get to know each woman and what they are looking for in the birth of their child, midwives can customize the birthing experience.
    Stopping by Tapestry or calling to make an appointment is the first step in bringing to the women of Addison County a place where community resources are gathered and available. At the first meeting, the midwives give this list to the patients with lists of pediatricians, doulas, lactation consultants, massage therapists, childbirth educators, acupuncturists, therapists and more. The list continues to grow as patients recommend more people and services are added to offer the woman a collection point for health information and options.
    Most readers would probably be surprised to learn that in addition to taking care of pregnant women, midwives can order all the same times as a physician and that you can have pain medicine or an epidural in labor when using a midwife. Midwives serve a critical role in the health care service, because of their belief in empowering women to be active and equal participants in their own health care. In addition to providing services, the information available allows the women to advocate for themselves and see all of the choices available in the health care arena.  Operating in concert with the health care providers in the areas, midwives offer yet another approach to services and care needed by women at all stages of life.
    Whether it is preventative health care, health screenings, mammograms, colonoscopies, diabetes or cardiovascular screenings or personalized services related to pregnancy and delivery, Tapestry Midwifery will work with you and if your care falls outside the scope of their services, they will refer you to the appropriate specialty or primary care physician. Contact them at (802) 877-0022, check out the website http://tapestrymidwifery.com or stop by the office to meet their friendly and knowledgeable staff.  See how the ancient practice of midwifery has merged with modern medicine to create a blend of knowledge, compassion, tradition and personalized service that take women through all phases of their lives.

Printer Friendly

Top

Advertisements

Search our Archives