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Specialties

Midwifery

Certified nurse-midwives are nurse practitioners with training and education in obstetrics as well as women's health. Our nurse-midwives focus on relationships, individual attention, and your choices. 

If you're pregnant, they can prescribe medicine, order labs, and generally provide the same level of pregnancy care as obstetricians in normal pregnancies. When the baby's ready, you'll deliver in the hospital, where obstetricians are always available in the event of an emergency. This approach results in an amazing success rate, even with a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). 

In addition to pregnancy and birth care, certified nurse-midwives help with women's annual exams, contraception, wellness management, menopausal counseling and treatment, and treatment for minor to moderate illnesses and health concerns. 

Highlights & Resources

Providers

  • Teresa L. Blair, CNM

    Midwifery
  • Hannah Cronbaugh, CNM

    Hannah M. Cronbaugh, CNM

    Midwifery

    Biography

    Hannah Cronbaugh, MSN, CNM has specific interests in preventive care, birth control options, physiological birth, maternal mental health, and empowering women to be active participants in their own care and health goals.

    Hannah grew up in Washington. She earned her bachelor's degree from Northwest Nazarene University, and her master’s degree at University of Colorado – Anschutz Medical Campus. Her personal interests include hiking, camping, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     

  • Chelsey F. Hymas, CNM

    Midwifery

    Biography

    Chelsey Hymas, MSN, CNM, FNP-C has expertise in providing care throughout pregnancy, support through the birthing process, and ongoing care for contraceptive counseling and gynecological concerns. She enjoys forming trusting partnerships with patients and their families and empowering them to make informed decisions throughout their care. She is passionate about early recognition and management of postpartum mood disorders. Chelsey is board certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

    Chelsey has a deep passion for the birth process and served for many years as a labor and delivery nurse. Her desire to care for patients beyond the hospital setting led her to become a family nurse practitioner. Not wanting to give up her work in childbirth, she completed a post graduate certificate as a certified nurse midwife. Additionally, her certification as a family nurse practitioner provides her with a unique perspective and additional training to address primary health care concerns. Throughout her work, she strives to help her clients achieve optimal health through evidence-based care. 

    Chelsey grew up in eastern Canada and still loves to visit as often as she can. She earned her bachelor's degree in nursing from Brigham Young University-Idaho and her master’s degree and post-graduate certification from Frontier Nursing University. Outside of work, you will find Chelsey spending time with her husband and four children, usually attending one of her kids' sporting events, adventuring outdoors, or traveling. 

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     
  • Megan A. Kitterman, CNM

    Megan A. Kitterman, CNM

    Midwifery

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     

  • Paige M. Knickrehm, CNM

    Midwifery

    Biography

    Paige Knickrehm, CNM found her true calling in midwifery and feels privileged to provide options, care, support, and respect to birthing people and women throughout all stages of life. She is committed to evidence-based clinical practice and strives to provide individualized care while helping her patients navigate the medical system and empowering them to advocate for themselves, their bodily autonomy and their unique health care. She is passionate about health care equity and eliminating barriers to necessary care.

    Paige is a born nurturer who discovered her love of midwifery while pregnant with her first child. She continues to be inspired by birth as a normal body process and appreciates the monumental impact birth has on each family. Prior to becoming a midwife, she taught childbirth education and supported women during childbirth as a volunteer doula. 

    Paige earned her bachelor's degree in nursing from Idaho State University, and her master's degree in nursing as a certified nurse midwife through Frontier Nursing University. She is a member of Signa Theta Tau honors society and the American College of Nurse Midwives.

    Paige grew up in southeastern Idaho and is married to her junior high sweetheart. They have three children and a house full of pets. Paige enjoys concerts, loves Halloween, and is an amateur beekeeper. Her favorite place to visit is the Oregon Coast.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     

  • Melissa D. Merrill, CNM

    Midwifery

    Biography

    Melissa Merrill, CNM, WHNP is a certified nurse midwife and a women's health nurse practitioner. She provides comprehensive prenatal care and performs low-risk vaginal deliveries at St. Luke's Magic Valley, along with newborn care and lactation support.

    Melissa earned a bachelor's degree from Idaho State University and a graduate degree as a certified nurse midwife from the University of Cincinnati, where she also earned a master's degree in nursing.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     

  • Stephanie Morgan, CNM

    Midwifery

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     

  • Helene F. Reusser, CNM

    Midwifery

    Biography

    Helene Reusser, MSN, CNM has professional interests in physiologic birth and the care of menopausal women. She believes in evidence-based care, and that women have options in birthing and support in labor. Helene delivers babies at St. Luke's Meridian.

    Helene says of her practice philosophy that, "Women have a right to respectful, individualized care in a supportive environment. Our job as nurse-midwives is to provide that care while educating our patients so they can make informed choices. As a CNM, I strive to give women the birth they want, whether that is low-tech and non-interventive or supporting women who desire epidural anesthesia."

    Helene earned her associate’s degree in nursing from Boise State University, her bachelor's degree in nursing from Seattle University, and her master’s degree in nurse midwifery from the University of Utah. After graduate school she moved to Rexburg, Idaho, and practiced as a nurse-midwife in conjunction with a physician. After years of attending births and caring for women in eastern Idaho, she moved to Boise to work as a nurse-midwife at St. Luke's.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     

  • Kristina D. Rhodes, CNM

    Midwifery

    Biography

    Kristi Rhodes, CNM provides care to women from adolescence beyond menopause, including preconception care, contraception, and well-woman care. Consistent with midwifery practice, she focuses on individualized care and optimal health, and views pregnancy and birth as a normal physiological process. She recognizes that many factors influence each women’s unique childbirth experience, including fears and beliefs. She’s an advocate for shared decision-making, informed choices, and self-determination.

    In her relationships with expectant mothers, Kristi is watchful for complications and offers physical, social, and emotional support, but also trusts in each women’s ability to have a normal, healthy, positive pregnancy and birth. She encourages you to move freely, to follow your body, and to labor and push in positions that feel right to you.

    As a midwife, Kristi works in collaboration with physicians, and there are times during a woman’s pregnancy and birth when her care may overlap with a doctor. Kristi works closely with Dr. Glen Lovelace, and consults with him when appropriate. She delivers babies at St. Luke's Boise.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     

  • Cortney L. Schnupp, CNM

    Midwifery

  • Kathy Watkins, CNM

    Midwifery

    Biography

    Kathy Watkins-Brecheen, CNM is a certified nurse-midwife with certifications as a first assistant at cesarean section, ultrasound, and water birth. She is also interested in substance abuse disorders during pregnancy. She delivers babies at St. Luke's Meridian.

    Kathy earned her bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Saskatchewan, and her master's degree in nursing with a midwifery specialty from the University of Utah. She also took a nursing leadership fellowship at Duke University. She is on the American College of Nurse Midwives Ultrasound Education Task Force and is liaison to the American Institute of Ultrasound Medicine.

Classes & Events

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  • Intuitive Birth: Boise

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    Next Date & Time
    Tuesday, Feb 04, 2025 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
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    $30.00, Registration Required

    Prepare your body and mind for the incredible experience of childbirth and parenting.

  • Banco de Leche Materna: Ketchum

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    Free

    Los bebés en unidades de cuidados intensivos dependen de este alimento que les salva la vida cuando su propia leche materna no está disponible.

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