Above: Victoria Smet, certified nurse midwife at Providence Medford Medical Center.
September 2026
For many families, choosing a pregnancy care provider is an important part of preparing for a new baby.
About 20% of babies born in Oregon are delivered by certified nurse midwives. These highly trained healthcare professionals work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics and birth centers.
"A nurse midwife is a nurse that's gone to school for extra training, usually getting a master's or a doctorate in pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care," says Victoria Smet, certified nurse midwife at Providence Medford Medical Center.
See Victoria's video on Instagram
Many expectant parents also choose to create a birth plan. Rather than a strict roadmap, a birth plan helps communicate personal preferences for labor and delivery.
"A birth plan is by no means a set plan of what your birth is going to be like," Victoria says. "It's more of your preferences around what the environment will be like and who will be there."
Birth plans can also include preferences around skin-to-skin bonding and infant feeding, helping families feel heard and supported even if labor unfolds differently than expected.
See Victoria's video on Instagram
See Victoria's video on Instagram
