The use of midwives as first assistants in cesarean section

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Introduction: In 1997, medical insurance gives limited financial reimbursement to physicians who first assist cesarean sections. Therefore, a formal program was developed at our community teaching hospital using midwives in place of physicians as first assistant in cesarean section. Midwives on the midwifery service were taught the principles and procedures of obstetrical anesthesia, anatomy, and physiology of the gravid abdomen. A team approach using obstetrician/gynecologist, anesthesiologist, midwives, and operating nurses performed the tracking in a 1-day course. A 28-minute video was developed to depict the role of the midwife as first assistant. Additionally, the principles of operation room set-up and instrumentation were taught. Result: All 24 midwives on the midwifery service were involved in the teaching of first assisting an attending obstetrician. After taking the course, nurse-midwives received formal certification from the department of obstetrics and gynecology and were approved by risk management. They also received clinical privileges outlining these guidelines. Their malpractice rates have not increased. The time to complete a cesarean section has not increased for the physician, and an emergency cesarean section is no longer delayed by waiting for an assistant to arrive. Patient satisfaction has increased because of decreased waiting time for a cesarean section and increased familiarity with the entire operating team. Discussion: Midwives can be trained to first assist the obstetrician/gynecologist in a cesarean section. Since the duration of a cesarean section is not prolonged, the patient will not experience increased blood loss or infection secondary to a prolonged procedure. The patient is more relaxed since they know that their provider during labor is also one of their surgeons for the cesarean section.