Maine

Maine offers a comprehensive network of healthcare professionals and support services to assist families throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. These resources ensure that families across the state have access to personalized care that meets diverse needs.

Perinatal Providers

Physicians
Obstetricians (OB-GYNs) in Maine specialize in managing both routine and high-risk pregnancies. They are available in hospitals and clinics across the state, ensuring access to quality prenatal and delivery care, including specialized maternal-fetal medicine services and neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

Nurses and Midwives
Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs): CNMs are licensed to practice in Maine and offer patient-centered care, often emphasizing natural childbirth experiences with minimal interventions. They are certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board and can practice in hospitals, birth centers, and home settings.
Certified Midwives (CMs): Maine licenses Certified Midwives, who have similar training to CNMs but do not hold nursing degrees. CMs are certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board and are authorized to prescribe medications in Maine once enabling regulations are finalized.
Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs): In Maine, CPMs are certified by the North American Registry of Midwives, and they specialize in out-of-hospital births

Physician Assistants (PAs)
PAs collaborate with doctors to provide prenatal care, routine checkups, and postpartum support in both urban and rural areas. Their involvement helps improve accessibility for pregnant individuals throughout Maine.

Other Perinatal Professionals

Doulas
Doulas offer non-medical emotional and physical support during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. They assist with relaxation techniques, labor positions, and provide continuous support during childbirth. Studies have shown that doula support can reduce the likelihood of complications like postpartum depression and unnecessary C-sections.
Recent legislative efforts aim to expand access to doula services by allowing MaineCare to cover doula attendance during childbirth, as well as prenatal and postpartum visits. To connect with doulas around you, click here

Home Visitors
Home visiting programs support maternal health, breastfeeding, and infant care.
The Maine Families Home Visiting Program offers free, voluntary home visiting services for expectant and new parents with children up to age three. These services are available statewide and offer guidance on infant care, breastfeeding, and maternal health, aiming to support positive outcomes for children and families.

Behavioral Health Professionals
Mental health support is crucial for managing postpartum depression, anxiety, and stress. Specialists provide support for maternal mental health issues like postpartum depression and anxiety. MaineHealth has launched telehealth programs to connect patients in rural areas with perinatal psychiatrists, enhancing access to specialized care. Learn More

Lactation Consultants
Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) assist mothers in navigating breastfeeding challenges and provide education and support. Resources include:
Maine State Breastfeeding Coalition: Provides a directory of lactation support providers and support groups across Maine.

Rural and Tribal Healthcare Support

Maine faces challenges in providing maternal and infant health services, particularly in rural areas. To address these issues, Maine supports maternal and infant health through various community-based programs. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) receive federal funding to provide care for underserved populations, helping to fill the maternity care gap. Additionally, telehealth initiatives are being explored to connect patients in remote locations with healthcare providers, improving access to obstetric care.

Tribal Healthcare Support
Maine's Native American population has access to culturally tailored maternal health resources through collaborations with community-based organizations and initiatives aimed at engaging cultural brokers to improve care delivery.

With these comprehensive options, families across Maine can find the care and support they need, from specialized medical providers to community-based services, ensuring a safe and healthy start for both parents and babies.