Aleida Torres-Ayala, DHSc, MSN, CNM

Advanced Practice Midwife

Dr. Aleida Torres-Ayala is an Advanced Practice Midwife in Luquillo, PR with special training and skill in childbirth assistance and treating mothers and infants before, during, and after pregnancy. As an Advanced Practice Midwife, Aleida Torres-Ayala, DHSc, MSN, CNM performs prenatal, delivery, and post natal care and education. Advanced Practice Midwifery is a type of advanced practice registered nurse. Significant diseases and conditions treated by Advanced Practice Midwives include pregnancy and pregnancy complications. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Advanced Practice Midwives include pregnancy monitoring, prenatal nutrition, childbirth assistance, and postpartum care.

Midwifery practice as conducted by certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) and certified midwives (CMs) is the independent management of women's health care, focusing particularly on pregnancy, childbirth, the post partum period, care of the newborn, and the family planning and gynecologic needs of women. The CNM and CM practice within a health care system that provides for consultation, collaborative management, or referral, as indicated by the health status of the client. CNMs and CMs practice in accord with the Standards for the Practice of Midwifery, as defined by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM).

Registered Nurse

A registered nurse is a person qualified by graduation from an accredited nursing school (depending upon schooling, a registered nurse may receive either a diploma from a hospital program, an associate degree in nursing (A.D.N.) or a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (B.S.N.), who is licensed or certified by the state, and is practicing within the scope of that license or certification. R.N.'s assist patient in recovering and maintaining their physical or mental health. They assist physicians during treatments and examinations and administer medications. (2) A provider who is trained and educated in a formal nursing education program at an accredited school of nursing, passes a national certification examination, and is licensed by the state to practice nursing. The individual provides nursing services to patients or clients in areas such as health promotion, disease prevention, acute and chronic care and restoration and maintenance of health across the life span.