Holly Michelle Howard-Hutton, CNM

The type of care that I give as a certified nurse midwife is I listen. People will tell you what they want and need if you really just take a moment to listen. So, incorporating not only listening to women but also listening to their bodies and their babies as well.

I chose to go into nursing and midwifery after shadowing my aunt when I was younger. She's a pediatric oncology nurse, and even though I didn't go into that field, I watched nurses care for patients at their most vulnerable. As a midwife and labor and delivery nurse, I see women in very private and vulnerable states and help them welcome a new member to their families. What motivates me most are past patients and remembering different interactions I've had, as a labor nurse over the last nine years, patients and families I've cared for in their happiest and saddest times. Those memories motivated me to go back to school, become a midwife and continue caring for women. I want my patients to know that midwifery goes beyond delivering babies. It includes GYN care, women's health, including mental health care. I want women in the city to know they can come to us at all stages of life.

My experience as a young mom made me passionate about adolescent health care. As an adolescent, you want to be part of your own health care and make your own decisions, but you don?t know how. You don't know how to vocalize that or guide that experience. I want to give adolescents power and information so we can make shared decisions about the process, whether it's regular gynecological care or if they find themselves having a baby as an adolescent. I want them to feel empowered, knowledgeable and supported, that I'm a safe provider, and that they can come to me and be heard or ask questions about the process. With midwifery care, especially here at Mercy, you come to a place where you're safe and accepted. You know you'll get care and not fall through the cracks. You know we'll do our very best to meet all your expectations for your care, your birth and your pregnancy. And we really want to be the co-pilot on your journey to whatever care you decide you want.