Jennifer D. Mercer DNP, CNM

Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology

A LITTLE ABOUT ME

I am a born and raised Chattanoogan. I am married and have three sons. I began my journey into midwifery after the birth of my second son. I started by providing labor support to women as a labor doula and became certified as a Lamaze instructor and taught hospital-based classes. I completed my Associate and subsequent Bachelor degrees in Nursing while working as a labor and delivery nurse here in Chattanooga at both Erlanger campuses.

I decided to become a midwife, because it was the ideal way to bridge the gap between my love for providing labor support and childbirth education with my experience as a nurse, in order to better serve the women of my community. So, after the birth of my third son I completed my Masters in Nursing and became a Certified Nurse Midwife. I have enjoyed practicing full-scope midwifery care in my beautiful hometown for 10 years. In 2017 I returned to school to complete my education with a Doctor in Nursing Practice degree. In addition to practicing clinically I am also faculty for Frontier Nursing University, helping to educate future nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners.

In my free time you can probably find me at a ball game of some sort or cheering on my marathon-running husband. I love to travel, read and enjoy the many outdoor activities our beautiful city has to offer.

I SPECIALIZE IN:

Women’s Services
Obstetrics/Pregnancy Care
Labor & Delivery
Gynecology/Women’s Medicine and Surgery
3D/4D Ultrasound
Birthing Classes

I'M LOCATED AT

Galen Midwifery

1651 Gunbarrel Road, Suite 101 A

Chattanooga, TN 37421

Hours of Operation:

BEEN IN PRACTICE:

Since 2010

MY CARE PHILOSOPHY:

I believe in woman-centered care. The Latin translation of “midwife” is “with woman”. This means to be with the woman in all phases of her life and in all forms-physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. I believe in relationships between women and providers that are respectful and compassionate and utilize informed consent and shared decision-making. My goal is to partner with women in their care to attain, regain and maintain their health from pre-pubescence through menopause. Learn more about midwifery care at https://www.midwife.org/Our-Philosophy-of-care

MY EDUCATION:

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) | Frontier Nursing University

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) | Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing

I'M AFFILIATED WITH:

Hospitals:
Erlanger East Hospital
Erlanger Baroness Hospital
Parkridge East Hospital

Organizations:
American College of Nurse Midwives

Certifications:
Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), American Midwifery Certification Board

SERVICES & PATIENT RESOURCES:

Women's Services

Women’s healthcare services require compassion and expertise. Here at Galen OB/GYN we provide comprehensive, specialized obstetric and gynecological care with the highest regard for patient satisfaction to meet a woman’s needs throughout her lifetime. Whether you are planning a family, staying healthy with routine care, or having health difficulties, our provider’s have the wisdom and medical expertise to help you make informed decisions about your healthcare.

Some of our services include:

Obstetrics
Pregnancy Care
Labor & Delivery
Gynecology
Women’s Medicine & Surgery
3D/4D Ultrasound
Birthing Classes

Labor & Delivery

Galen’s Labor and Delivery teams are here to help make your birthing experience everything you want it to be. We work closely with you to support your healthcare choices, such as medicated or non-medicated labor and other birthing practices or aids. We strive for a vaginal delivery and only recommend a C-section if your health or your baby’s health is at risk.

Labor and Delivery expectations:

Support for your birth plan, your delivery team will work with you to support your birth plan choices, including:

Having an medicated or non-medicated labor
Having a support, family members, or friends present at the time of your child’s birth
Breastfeeding support
Skin-to-skin bonding time immediately after delivey

Immediate access to specialty care, mothers who deliver with Galen have healthy pregnancies and uncomplicated deliveries. However, if additional care is required for you or your baby:

Our High-Risk Obstetrics team specializes in providing the most advanced, nurturing care for complex health problems.
Our Neonatology team provides word class care for newborn babies with critical or special care needs.

Comfort management during labor available 24 hours a day:

For women who desire a medicated labor or require a C-section, our obstetric anesthesia service is always available in Labor and Delivery.

Birthing Classes

Are you prepared for your newest arrival?

Galen OB/GYN wants to help with a

Complete Childbirth Class

Topics include:

Labor
Breathing & Relaxation techniques
Birth Plans
Post-partum lifestyle
Newborn Care Basics
Tour of Erlanger East

Spring 2021 Prenatal Birthing Class Schedule

Patient Forms & Documents