Katelyn Rasmus is the midwifery clinical director at the Mary V. O’Shea Birth Center at Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ. She earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Rutgers University and a Master of Science in nurse-midwifery from Frontier Nursing University, the longest continuously enrolling midwifery program in the United States.
“Ever since I was a young girl, I knew I wanted to be involved in the birth experience,” says Katelyn. “I am privileged to be part of a profession that supports families in their quest for physiologic and supported birth, as well as overall gynecologic wellness throughout each person’s life.”
The Birth Center is a destination for those with low-risk pregnancies seeking a more natural and low intervention childbirth experience. It is also significant that the Birth Center is New Jersey’s first birth center to be located on the grounds of a hospital, so if medical intervention is needed, it’s only steps away.
Central to her role is the enthusiastic support Katelyn provides to expectant families in creating a birth plan. Throughout the pregnancy, expectant mothers document their personal preferences and wishes for how they envision their labor and birth — everything from designating a support team to labor expectations and preferences for medical intervention, should the need arise.
“As a midwife, we are trained to support families throughout the process of labor and birth, with a focus on nonpharmaceutical pain management which includes a host of options such as hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, and nerve stimulation,” says Katelyn.
“Sometimes the Birth Center is not the best place for every person, whether due to a known reason or an unforeseen complication. Our midwives have privileges to attend births in both the Birth Center and Saint Peter’s Labor and Delivery Unit, so you can feel assured that your midwife will be your provider, no matter where you have your baby,” adds Katelyn. “We value the close relationships we have with the Saint Peter’s physicians and labor and delivery nurses. If a situation requires surgical intervention, the midwives can count on our team members at a moment’s notice. In addition, we have the benefit of a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit should the baby need additional support.”
The Mary V. O’Shea Birth Center is also the hub of Saint Peter’s midwifery practice, offering gynecological visits and menopausal care. The Birth Center recently earned reaccreditation from the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers — a testament to the high-quality, patient-centered care Katelyn and her team provide.
