Midwifery
Midwives are professionals who aid in the processes of labor, delivery and postpartum care. Midwifery minimizes the level of medical intervention during pregnancy and delivery, though midwives can still be present during a hospital delivery.
Certified nurse midwives in Richmond, Virginia
Our midwives help you feel supported, informed and safe.
A baby's delivery requires specialized care. At The Women’s Hospital at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital, we put the right people in place for the best possible experience. It's why we're Virginia's first hospital to earn The Joint Commission’s perinatal care certification.
Thinking about maternity classes?
Need to know what to expect when you go into labor? Want to learn some basics on feeding, baby equipment and safety? Our maternity classes are here to prepare you for your birthing and postpartum experiences.
Need to know what to expect when you go into labor? Want to learn some basics on feeding, baby equipment and safety? Our maternity classes are here to prepare you for your birthing and postpartum experiences.
Expert advice, available 24/7
Free health-related advice is just a phone call away. Our licensed nurses will help you understand your symptoms, answer health-related questions, and navigate where to seek care.
Free health-related advice is just a phone call away. Our licensed nurses will help you understand your symptoms, answer health-related questions, and navigate where to seek care.
Midwifery services we provide
When you choose to receive care with one of our midwives, we support you throughout your maternity journey — from preconception and prenatal care through birth and postpartum. With shared decision-making, compassion and accountability at the center of our approach, our team is committed to providing exceptional, evidence-based care and quality outcomes for every patient.
Midwifery at our hospital
When you choose one of the certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) at The Women's Hospital, you are choosing a care team that will partner with you to create a plan that fits your needs and preferences. Our midwives typically care for patients with low-risk pregnancies and collaborate closely with your obstetrician-gynecologist (OB/GYN) to determine whether midwifery care is the right fit. If risk factors arise, our midwives work with a supportive team of attending physicians, neonatal specialists and anesthesia providers to ensure you continue to receive the appropriate level of care.
Once you begin midwifery care, we will discuss pregnancy support, birth preferences, low-intervention birth preparation (if desired) and your labor communication plan. Our team provides guidance and support throughout your prenatal care and is available around the clock when you are nearing delivery.
During this time, your midwife provides your routine prenatal care and becomes your primary point of contact. We are here to offer education and support, with opportunities for both individual and group meetings when available.
Going into labor
When you are in labor, you will contact your midwife so they can guide you through next steps, including when to come to the hospital. If needed, our team can provide medical support such as induction or augmentation of labor.
We understand that every labor is unique. Your midwife collaborates with our hospital physicians and specialists to provide the best possible care for you and your baby. If you experience a rare or unexpected complication, this team will work together to support a safe delivery, with your midwife by your side even if intervention is needed.
Our midwives also care for you during your postpartum hospital stay. After you are discharged, you will return to your CNM for postpartum follow-up visits.
Low-intervention birth
If you are interested in a low-intervention birth experience, we provide high-touch, low-tech labor and delivery care. Your midwife will guide you on laboring at home, when to come to the hospital and how to work with your body and contractions. They can help support your low-intervention birth through:
- Alternative labor and birthing positions
- Aromatherapy
- Delayed cord clamping
- Hydrotherapy
- Personalized support
- Skin-to-skin contact after birth
- Wireless monitoring
Low-intervention birth class
You can learn more about the birthing process by attending one of our low-intervention birth classes. The class provides more information on what a low-intervention birth entails and includes a tour of our labor and delivery unit, as well as the opportunity to meet some of our midwives. You do not have to be a current patient at our hospital to attend. We also offer childbirth classes for births that are not low-intervention.