What is a Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)?

A CNM is a registered nurse who has completed an accredited graduate-level program in midwifery and passed a national certification exam. They are licensed to provide care during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, as well as routine gynecological care.

Can I have an epidural if I am using a midwife?

Yes. While our midwives are experts in supporting natural labor, they fully support your choice for pain management. If you decide you want an epidural during labor, your midwife will facilitate that with the hospital anesthesiology team.

Are midwives only for home births?

No. Our midwives practice in a hospital-based setting. This allows you to benefit from the midwifery philosophy while having the peace of mind that comes with being in a full-service medical facility.

What happens if my pregnancy becomes high-risk?

If a high-risk condition develops, our midwives work collaboratively with our OB/GYN physicians. In some cases, your care may be co-managed by both a midwife and a doctor, or it may transition fully to the physician to ensure your safety.

Do midwives perform C-sections?

No. Midwives do not perform surgery. If a C-section becomes necessary, one of our board-certified OB/GYN surgeons will perform the procedure, often with your midwife remaining in the room to provide support.

Midwifery Services

The Midwifery Model of Care

Midwifery is centered on the word “midwife,” which means “with woman.” Our Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) are advanced practice registered nurses who specialize in supporting healthy, low-risk pregnancies and deliveries. They focus on minimizing unnecessary medical interventions while providing a safe and satisfying birth experience at HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital.

Your midwifery care typically includes:

Personalized Prenatal Care: We spend extra time during your prenatal visits to answer questions, discuss your birth plan, and provide education on nutrition, exercise, and preparation for motherhood.
Support for Natural Labor: Our midwives are experts in non-pharmacological comfort measures, such as hydrotherapy, movement, and breathing techniques, to help you navigate labor naturally.
Collaborative Safety: While our midwives focus on low-intervention care, they work in a collaborative environment. If a medical complication arises, our board-certified physicians are available 24/7 to provide seamless support.
Hospital Birth Experience: All our midwives deliver at HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital, ensuring you have access to a comfortable, modern environment with a full medical safety net for you and your baby.
Holistic Wellness: Beyond pregnancy, our midwives offer well-woman gynecological care, family planning, and menopause support, treating every patient with a holistic approach to health.

A happy, smiling woman with long wavy hair sits outdoors during golden hour.

Who Is This For?

Women with low-risk pregnancies who desire a more personalized, educational approach.
Families interested in a natural birth with minimal medical intervention.
Mothers who want the support of a midwife in the safety of a hospital setting.
Patients who value a “with woman” philosophy centered on empowerment.
Anyone seeking a provider who treats pregnancy as a normal life transition rather than a medical condition.

A Full Range of Care, From Conception to Postpartum

Whatever your pregnancy looks like, we have the experience and the resources to support it. Click any service below to learn more.

High-risk pregnancy management
Pregnancy with multiples (twins and more)
Management of pre-term labor
Ectopic pregnancy care
Pregnancy nutrition
Coping with physical and emotional changes
The Fresh Test (gestational diabetes screening)
Postnatal visits

The Best of Both Worlds: Midwifery and Medicine

Many women believe they have to choose between the personalized care of a midwife and the advanced security of a hospital and physician. At Dr. Hyler and Associates, we offer a collaborative model that provides both. This integrated approach ensures that you receive the supportive, low-intervention care you want, without sacrificing safety.

The benefits of our collaborative model:

Continuous Support: Our midwives stay by your side during labor, providing the emotional and physical encouragement that is the hallmark of midwifery.
Immediate Physician Access: Because our midwives work alongside board-certified OB/GYNs, a physician is always available for consultation or surgical intervention if needed.
HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital: You deliver in a state-of-the-art facility with a Level II NICU, ensuring that every resource is available for you and your baby.
Personalized Choice: You have the freedom to choose the provider relationship that aligns with your values and health needs.
Seamless Transitions: If your pregnancy becomes high-risk, your care transitions smoothly between our midwives and physicians without you ever having to leave our practice.

Choose Your Model of Care