Naomi Andrews: Nurse Midwife!

BY MAGGIE OLIVE KLEIN
KONKLIFE STAFF WRITER AND EDITOR 

Midwifery, a health profession that deals with pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, is an incredibly rewarding yet taxing job that is very admirable. Naomi Andrews is a Key West native that took up the job after much experience with nursing school and alternate medical education, and ultimately having her life guide her to be the Midwife that she is today, here in Key West!

Andrews was born at Lower Keys Medical Center, delivered by Dr. Grizzle, who she then went on to work with as a nurse! Her great grandmother was a Midwife, and the profession was discussed within her family while she was a teen. She never knew she would end up following in those footsteps until she was in nursing school and saw her first birth attended by a Midwife. She states, “Once I started working as a student nurse at a hospital and saw what it was like in a labor and delivery unit, I just knew that it was what I wanted to do.” She goes on to explain that the job requires a certain type of person. One that is able to stay calm, even in high pressure situations. Andrews sees herself as a good fit for the role thanks to her ability to have a sort of disconnect from the happenings, and she finds the need and responsibility to foster a comfortable and safe space for the family to be motivating for her work. When asked about the position, Andrews says, “Midwifery is all about formulating a therapeutic relationship where a woman can reach her highest health and sense of self. And that’s why I am doing this.” 

Andrews spent most of her life in Key West, and, despite most of her educational years having taken place elsewhere, she knows what its like here and it has always been home to her. Because of her personal connection to the Keys, she notes that her work as a Midwife here will be more intimate, as she will be taking care of some of her friends, as well as relatives of her friends, and sees the return to the Keys as a very “full-circle” experience, noting how she is finally doing the things she dreamed of doing so many years ago. Andrews wasn’t always sure of where her education and career would eventually bring her, but she expresses high appreciation for where she has ended up. She states, “Even though it took me a bit longer to get to where I was going, I think I’m a better Midwife because of my life experiences and the things I did prior, even if I came about it in an unconventional way.” She also emphasizes her appreciation for the chance to be a part of each family’s celebration during their good times. She says, “I can’t think of anything more rewarding in the world than being a Midwife. It is a true privilege.” Andrews mentions that she often receives messages, pictures, letters, and cards from her past clients. What a joyous job! Thank you, Naomi, for all of your work you’ve done, and the work you’re going to do for Key West! 

You can check out Naomi’s socials, her Instagram handle is @island_midwife, and her Facebook is Island Midwife. 

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