Jacquelyn G Stephenson
CNM
MidwifeChesapeake, VA
Midwives are licensed healthcare providers who offer comprehensive prenatal care, attend births, and provide postpartum support. They practice in hospitals, birth centers, and homes. Browse verified profiles and connect with midwives serving families in Chesapeake, Virginia.
10+ midwives found in Chesapeake, VA
Midwives manage the full scope of pregnancy care for low-to-moderate risk pregnancies: prenatal exams, lab orders, ultrasound referrals, birth attendance, and postpartum checkups. Their approach tends to emphasize physiologic birth, shared decision-making, and continuity of care — meaning you often see the same midwife throughout pregnancy and at your birth. Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) can also prescribe medications and have hospital privileges. Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) specialize in out-of-hospital births.
Common credentials
Understand the credential types: CNMs are registered nurses with graduate midwifery training; CPMs complete accredited midwifery programs focused on out-of-hospital birth; CMs have a graduate degree in midwifery without a nursing background.
Choose based on your birth setting preference — hospital, birth center, or home. CNMs practice in all three; CPMs primarily attend out-of-hospital births.
Ask about their collaborative physician relationship. Midwives who work with OBs can quickly transfer care if complications arise.
Discuss their philosophy around interventions, pain management, and informed consent.
Ask how many midwives are in the practice and who will attend your birth if your primary midwife is unavailable.
Typical cost
Midwifery care in hospitals and birth centers is typically billed through insurance like any provider visit. Homebirth midwife packages usually range from $3,000 to $7,000 and cover prenatal care, birth attendance, and postpartum visits.
Insurance coverage
CNM services are covered by most insurance plans and all state Medicaid programs. CPM coverage varies significantly by state — some states mandate coverage, others do not. Birth center births are increasingly covered.
A Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) is a registered nurse who earned a graduate degree in midwifery. They can practice in hospitals, birth centers, and homes, prescribe medications, and order tests. A Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) completed an accredited midwifery education program focused on physiologic birth and primarily attends births outside the hospital setting.
Yes. CNMs have hospital privileges and attend births in hospitals across the country. Many large hospital systems have midwifery practices. The midwifery model of care in a hospital setting offers the safety net of medical resources with a focus on physiologic birth.
Most insurance plans, including all state Medicaid programs, cover CNM services because they are licensed healthcare providers. CPM coverage varies by state — some states mandate insurance coverage for CPMs, while others do not. Always verify with your specific plan.
Yes. Research consistently shows that midwife-attended births for low-risk pregnancies have outcomes comparable to physician-attended births, with lower rates of interventions like cesarean sections and episiotomies. Midwives are trained to identify complications and transfer care to physicians when needed.
Midwives specialize in low-to-moderate risk pregnancies. If you have a high-risk condition (multiples, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes requiring insulin, etc.), your midwife will typically co-manage your care with an OB-GYN or maternal-fetal medicine specialist. Some conditions may require transferring to full physician care.
Building your care team often involves more than one type of provider. Families in Chesapeake also search for:
OB-GYN Providers in Chesapeake
OB-GYNs are physicians specializing in obstetrics and gynecology.
Birth Doulas in Chesapeake
A birth doula provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support during labor and delivery.
Lactation Consultants in Chesapeake
Lactation consultants are specialists in breastfeeding and infant feeding.
Childbirth Educators in Chesapeake
Join Baaby's directory and help families find you. There is no cost to claim your profile, add your credentials, and connect with families who are actively looking for midwives in Virginia.
Claim your profileChildbirth educators offer classes in evidence-based birth preparation, covering labor stages, pain management options, breathing techniques, partner support, and informed decision-making.