Baystate Ob/Gyn Group Welcomes Two Certified Nurse Midwives

SPRINGFIELD — The providers and staff of Baystate Ob/Gyn Group Inc. (BOGG) recently welcomed two certified nurse midwives, Sarah Thayer and Esther Shin, into its Midwifery department.

Thayer brings a vast amount of experience in women’s healthcare not only in midwifery but in other specialized roles as well. Her educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in sociology, an associate degree in nursing, a master’s degree in midwifery, and a certificate in nurse midwifery locally, through the Baystate Midwifery Education Program.

Thayer’s love of supporting women through physiologic birth grew from her early work as a birth doula and licensed massage therapist for more than 10 years. She worked as a registered nurse for many years and completed a graduate midwife fellowship to begin her certified nurse midwifery career in 2020. Specific areas of interest include contraception, adolescent health and wellness, promotion of physiologic birth and breastfeeding, care for Spanish-speaking populations, childbirth education, group prenatal care, LGBTQ health and wellness, community doula care, and research.

“As a midwife I view my role as a guide that invites patients to access informed care for their reproductive health goals,” she said. “I take pride in building a healthcare relationship with patients that includes trustworthiness and empowerment. It is my joy to address the unique needs of each person in my care with warmth, compassion, and listening.”

Shin joins Baystate Ob/Gyn Group following her midwifery clinical integration in 2021 at BOGG through the Baystate Midwifery Education Program. Partnering with Baystate Health for her integration allowed the practice’s providers to observe firsthand her natural ability to deliver the core fundamentals of midwifery care and to collaborate with her on her educational goals in midwifery.

Prior to entering her midwifery career, Shin’s educational background included years of work in healthcare with an associate degree in nursing, a bachelor’s degree in nursing, and a master’s degree in midwifery. Her experience in healthcare has been rooted in many years of work as a registered nurse, in settings including surgical care, labor and delivery, and obstetrics.

“As a midwife, my goal is to provide education and holistic care for every person I see for pregnancy or gyn care, taking into account the many different factors that can influence well-being,” she said. “I strive to provide individualized care that supports each person’s informed and empowered decisions when navigating health and wellness.”