Call us to schedule an appointment. We are WomanCare Centers at (757) 451-0929. Please let the receptionist know that you are interested in WomanCare Midwifery. She will take your contact information and our midwifery staff will contact you.

We welcome you! Our space is limited so call us early. Our gynecology clients (yes! midwives do gynecology) and previous Midwifery clients will have first priority. Call us today. We do accept transfers early in pregnancy in any remaining spots. Please contact us for availability. WomanCare Midwifery is for low risk women. However, if have risk factors that cannot be cared for through low intervention means, our midwives can still care for you. We want to give you the level of care you need for the safest pregnancy and birth.

Yes. First is that your pregnancy is a low risk pregnancy. The Open House is the next requirement. Please be sure to attend by 16 weeks. The other requirements are to keep a food and exercise log, to attend childbirth education from our list of educators, to attend Third trimester class and to attend all of your prenatal appointments. We do not require a doula but suggest a doula if you are having your first unmedicated birth.

The very first obstetric appointment is all-encompassing. (That means it’s really long!) You will have an ultrasound to check the gestational age, wellbeing and location of your baby (babies?); a conversation with a provider to go over your history and answer questions; a full physical exam; and lab work. Make sure to eat and hydrate well before your appointment. You are encouraged to bring a healthy snack and drink water while at the office. This is a long visit for adults and longer still for children.

Well, this is a good question because sometimes that is what they hear from friends but not quite what they want. We are interested in customizing our care to suit your needs and support the philosophy of care as outlined by the American College of Nurse-Midwives. An unmedicated birth is not for everyone. Maybe you are planning to have an epidural (or at least want to keep your options open) – whatever your reason – the midwives provide holistic, compassionate care no matter the setting.

Should you have a need that cannot be met or you choose not to participate in the requirements of WomanCare Midwifery, you can opt for any other type of care offered by the adept providers at WomanCare Centers:

• traditional care - a combination of providers with midwife-attended birth
• midwifery care - only see the midwives with midwife-attended birth
• CenteringPregnancy®  - our group prenatal care format with midwife-attended birth
• physician-only - only see the doctors with doctor-attended birth

We are happy to offer you midwifery center-style care at Sentara Leigh Hospital Family Maternity Center; customized care that may include low-intervention, dim lighting, intermittent monitoring, clear liquid oral hydration, freedom of movement, hydrotherapy (shower), delayed cord clamping, and immediate skin-to-skin contact with your baby to promote bonding and breastfeeding.

The Sentara Leigh Family Maternity Center offers showers as a form of hydrotherapy. If you are interested in laboring in a tub, please mention this at your next visit so we can provide you with the information. Please note we do not offer tub births at this time.

Pregnancy and birth are unpredictable which is why we make backup plans for our backup plans! Care from the midwives is supported by our physicians at WomanCare Centers who participate in regular review of every client. Should concerns arise during your pregnancy or labor, we consult and coordinate care with our physicians and adjust the plan according to your needs or the needs of your baby. The beauty of having an in-hospital birth center is that if no intervention is needed, we offer none; but if anything is needed, everything is available! Whatever you choose, the Midwives at WomanCare Centers would be honored to partner with you during this very special time for your family.