The festivities included two of the original midwives: Lee Ann Bristow, CNM, and Sarah Schonauer, MSN, RN, as well as the first baby delivered by a midwife at AOH. Bristow delivered leap-year baby Drew Yoder 20 years ago. Yoder’s parents, Cindy and Merle Yoder, were also in attendance.

“Over the past 20 years, we have tripled the number of deliveries performed by midwives,” said Charlotte Forsythe, MSN, RN, C-EFM.
In 2000, there were about 59 deliveries by midwives. Today, that number exceeds 180 per year.

Angela Caldwell, CNO, COO, recognized the current AOH midwife team and the entire obstetrics staff for their hard work and commitment. According to Caldwell, maintaining a midwifery program at AOH is part of the hospital’s commitment to taking care of patients in our community.

Bristow is part of the five-person midwife team, which also includes: 
• Jessica George, CNM
• Rebecca Kim, CNM
• Suzie Martin, CNM
• Richele Thompson, CNP, CNM

Midwives provide care, education, counseling and support to women and newborns during their pregnancy, delivery and postpartum period. Midwives also provide gynecologic and reproductive health services for women of all ages.