Certified nurse midwife Crystal Franklin, of West Norriton, joined Women’s Associates for Health Care in 2003. 

Previously, she had been providing midwife and total women’s health care through Montgomery Family Medicine since 1999.  Franklin’s addition to the Women’s Associates’ practice allows the physician group to expand their services by offering a more diverse type of care to the women they serve in Norristown, King of Prussia, and Trappe. Patients may schedule a consultation by calling (610) 279-9003.

Franklin, who received her certification through the same board that certifies physicians, earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing in 1997 at Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing in Baltimore, Md.  She became a nurse specifically to become a nurse midwife and received her Master of Science in nurse midwifery in 1998 at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing in Philadelphia, Pa.

Her desire to become a nurse midwife was inspired by her own awe of the birthing process and the support she received from nurse midwives while she was pregnant with her own children.

“I also wanted to be in a profession that would allow me the time to bond with my patients,” Franklin adds.

Franklin’s approach to patient care is to “treat patients like family.”  She works on fostering close relationships and makes herself available to listen to patients’ concerns and answer their questions.

“Women are very anxious during prenatal care,” says Franklin.  “They’re also much better informed these days, so they have more questions and concerns.  I encourage and help my patients to learn as much as they can about their pregnancies and their bodies.”

Her patient care philosophy is consistent with the other members of Women’s Associates, who place great value on offering a holistic approach to patient care and intervening only when necessary for the health of mother and baby.

“The body usually knows what to do when it’s in labor,” says Franklin.  “By allowing more time to let things progress naturally, Women’s Associates’ physicians strive to give their patients the birthing experience they desire; the doctors want to avoid unnecessary cesarean sections.”

At 24.4 percent the national cesarean section rate is at an all-time high, according to the National Center for Healthcare Statistics. This places women at greater risk for health problems including, permanent damage to abdominal and urinary tract organs, little-to-no chance for subsequent vaginal birth and a premature end to their ability to safely bear children, according to the American College of Nurse-Midwives association.

Franklin is trained to handle most pregnancy complications.  And of course Women’s Associates’ physicians are also on call 24 hours, seven days a week to assist Franklin with delivery complications restricted to physicians. In addition to providing midwifery care, Franklin provides total women’s health care, including gynecologic exams and family planning.

Franklin lives in West Norriton with her husband Dr. Rodney Franklin of Montgomery Hospital family practice in Conshohocken and the couple’s three sons.  She enjoys supporting her children in their gymnastics endeavors and building tree houses.

Women’s Associates for Health care physicians provide total women’s health care from adolescence to post menopause with specialties in infertility, medical and surgical management of uterine fibroids, adolescent gynecology, lower genital tract, menopause, urinary incontinence; vaginal surgery; hysteroscopic surgery and uterine bleeding.

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