Nurse Midwife Michel Bouche with new mom and son
Michele Bouce and patient |
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Jan. 31, 2008
HOOD RIVER, Ore. - Two new hands means lots of support for the growing number of new babies and moms being born at Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital. To meet community need, the hospital is expanding prenatal and birthing services.
Michele Bouche, family nurse practitioner and certified nurse midwife, has joined the Providence Women’s Clinic. The all-woman health team provides obstetric and gynecologic services for Columbia Gorge families. Midwives play a key role for new moms and mothers-to-be, providing well women care, birthing support and follow up maternal care. “I am excited to work for Providence and use my expertise to contribute to the healing and well being of the families I care for,” said Bouche. ”I feel honored to be part of the extraordinary birthing experience and thrilled to be part of this amazing community."
The addition of the new nurse midwife role is a key development in Providence Hood River’s growth in services for mothers and infants. Last summer, the new Providence Women’s Clinic opened, with the addition of three women obstetrics and gynecology physicians. Also, the hospital is currently doubling its square footage through a $50 million expansion, which will add new rooms and services to its Family Birth Center.
Providence Hood River provides a full range of normal and high-risk obstetric services for pregnant women, infants, mothers and families. Providence Women’s Clinic also provides well care and preventive services for women, including gynecology, ultrasound, major and endoscopic surgery, basic infertility, urinary incontinence treatment, and surgery. In addition to Bouche, the clinic’s providers are Robin Henson, M.D., Elaine Adsit, M.D., and Rose Blackwell, M.D. They are committed to supporting the community’s family practitioners and the variety of birthing options preferred by patients. The clinic supports each woman’s personal preference in the delivery of her child and works closely with Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital’s Family Birth Center to ensure each patient’s individual needs are met.
Bouche graduated from Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing in Hyden, Ky., and is certified by the American College of Nurse Midwives. She initiated and developed four midwifery practices and a private practice in Springfield, Ore. She has worked alongside doctors and nurses as part of a comprehensive health team dedicated to patient health for 30 years.
In describing her personal style as a family and birthing provider, Bouche says she believes in promoting health in a nurturing and supportive environment for families. “I am excited to be a part of key moments in the lives of the families, while creating lasting memories, such as welcoming a new family member into the world.”
Certified nurse midwives, who receive the highest level of midwife training, are registered nurses with specialized training in assisting pregnant women and their newborn babies. Certified nurse midwives must complete an accredited program of study and clinical experience in obstetrical care. They work closely with obstetricians and other physicians when medical treatments and medications are necessary. Certified nurse midwives also offer lactation coaching, ultrasound, birth coaching and family support, in addition to the specialized medical team.
Providence offers birthing and infant services through its network of local family practitioners who also deliver babies at the Family Birth Center. Providence Women’s Clinic is located at 917 11th Street, Hood River and the phone number is 541-387-8940.
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