PORTRAIT OF NURSE-MIDWIFERY PATIENTS IN A PRIVATE PRACTICE

Demographic and obstetric characteristics of patients seen by a nurse-midwife in a private obstetric practice over a 3 year period are reviewed. 212 patients had extensive contact with the nurse-midwife. Ethnic background, age, and marital status of the patients are discussed, as well as the educational and occupational status of the patient and her husband. Where appropriate, the figures are compared to the general population of delivered mothers in Milwaukee. 40 patients who had asked for the nurse-midwife were delivered by physicians because of complications or other circumstances. Thirteen patients were delivered by cesarean section and 13 deliveries had forcep deliveries. The majority of the patients who sought the services of the nurse-midwife were Caucasian and married. 71% of the patients were between the ages of 20 and 29.