When you think of a certified nurse midwife (CNM), you might immediately associate them with childbirth, but their expertise spans far beyond pregnancy and childbirth.

Midwives are dedicated healthcare partners, guiding women through every stage of life. At Quincy Medical Group (QMG), certified nurse midwife Ashley Stroot, APRN, CNM, WHNP-BC, embodies this holistic approach to care, helping women navigate not only pregnancy but also their broader health needs — from adolescence to menopause.

A CNM is an advanced practice nurse specializing in pregnancy and women’s health. Their expertise spans a wide range of services: family planning and prenatal exams; caring for you during labor, birth, and postpartum; gynecological care; and menopause management. CNMs have a nursing background, have completed a master’s degree, and have passed a national certification exam to become nurse midwives.

Stroot’s path to midwifery was deeply personal. At the age of 11, she witnessed the birth of her youngest sister — a moment that profoundly impacted her.

“After witnessing the birth of my sister, I knew from that point on I wanted to help women through their own transformative birth experiences.,” she said.

After completing her nursing degree at Quincy University and Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing, Stroot began her career in midwifery in 2016. She’s passionate about offering personalized care that supports every aspect of a woman’s health.

“As both a midwife and nurse practitioner, I aim to provide care that’s not only self-led and evidence-based but also holistic. I believe when healthcare addresses the whole person, it doesn’t just help us improve — it helps us thrive,” she said.

Whether helping a woman prepare for childbirth, managing her gynecological health, or offering support during life changes, Stroot’s goal remains the same: to empower women to make informed decisions and feel supported on their health journeys.

To learn more about Ashley Stroot and the comprehensive midwifery care available at QMG, visit www.quincymedgroup.com or call 217-222-6550, ext. 3437. We’re here to support you through every stage of life.

One of our advisory board members had a midwife during her first pregnancy. She was kind enough to share her experience. You can read about it on the next page.

Personal Story of Using a Midwife…

I had my first child at 28, and not many of my friends had had children at that time.  My husband and I were living in Belleville, IL, at the time and not surrounded by our family or friends, and I had a high-risk pregnancy, but my delivery was to be a routine delivery, so although I had to see my OBGYN for all of my scheduled visits, I was able to have a Midwife for my delivery. I had chosen to use a Midwife because I wanted to deliver without an epidural and as natural as possible. I had watched hours of different reality TV Maternity Ward shows and seen that the likelihood of needing to be helped with induction or ending up with a cesarean section was much higher if the woman sat in bed with an epidural and with all the complications I had had with my pregnancy I didn’t want a C-section on top of it.  My Midwife’s name was Silvia, and she was amazing!

I ended up going into labor a month and a half early, and I was very upset and worried that my baby was going to have some issues with being a preemie, but Silvia wouldn’t let me focus on that and talked me down and spoke very calmly to me. She helped me to get into a few different positions until I found one that was most comfortable for me, which was just really sitting on the side of the bed and rocking from side to side when the contractions came. She had my husband rub lotion on my lower back and made sure the lights were turned down low.  

When I got to the transition part of the labor, I didn’t think I was going to make it through without drugs. I told her I thought I needed something to take the edge off, or I didn’t think I’d be able to do it without the epidural. She talked me through it, saying that she knew I could do it and “you’re so close” and reminding me that I wanted to do this all-natural. She suggested I try to get into the shower and that the warm water would help to relax me (the hospital I was delivering in didn’t have tubs).  My husband and I got into the shower, and he was able to take the shower wand over my belly with the warm water. Silvia came in after 30 minutes, and I dried off and came back to get onto the monitor. She checked me, and sure enough, I was ready to push!

She delivered my baby, assured me that she was perfectly healthy even though she was so small (5 lbs, 14 oz), and sat on my bed with me, and talked with me for a while after the delivery. She was who came back to see me while I was in the hospital, and she was so generous with her time when I asked a million questions being a first-time mom.  I feel like the Midwife empowers the woman’s body to do its thing naturally, and if medical help is necessary, they are in the hospital certified to do certain procedures as well.

I was so sad to realize that Quincy did not have any Midwives when I moved back to the area, so I didn’t have a Midwife when I had my son. We looked into having a Doula for our delivery with him, but unfortunately, he was a breached baby, and I had to have a C-section after all with him.  I am forever grateful to Silvia for the gift of the beautiful birth that I had with Piper. With the chaotic pregnancy I had with her, it was such a lovely way to end it and a peaceful way to bring her into this world. 

Submitted by Nikki