HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- As maternal healthcare access becomes increasingly strained across the Commonwealth, Henrico Doctors’ Hospital is expanding its reach. On Monday, May 4, the hospital will officially open Commonwealth Midwifery, a new practice dedicated to providing personalized, low-i ntervention OB-GYN care. The launch, which coincides with International Day of the Midwife on Tuesday, May 5, aims to bridge the gap in "maternal care deserts" where families often struggle to find consistent, specialized support. While some may associate midwives only with the moment of birth, Commonwealth Midwifery offers full-scope OBGYN clinical care. As fully licensed and credentialed providers, the midwives can conduct annual wellness visits and pelvic healthcare, prescribe medications, provide prenatal, labor, delivery and postpartum support. By integrating these services into the hospital system, the practice ensures that if a low-risk pregnancy suddenly requires specialized medical intervention, a seamless transition to the hospital’s doctors and neonatal specialists is already in place. “We'll be covering labor and delivery 24/7. We take turns in 24 hour shifts to be available for our patients. We call ourselves the Dream team," said Melissa Yeager, CNM, one of the four Certified Nurse Midwives leading the practice. (Pictured: Melissa Yeager, CNM, in an exam room at Commonwealth Midwifery, Photo credit: 8 News) The opening is more than just a professional milestone for Yeager -- it’s a homecoming. Henrico Doctor's Hospital is where she became a mother and where her career path changed. “I had a C-section with my first baby, and I made the decision to train as a doula like while I was lying on the O.R. table," she said. "When my fourth baby was a year old, I started nursing school and went straight through nursing school, midwifery school, licensure exams. And here I am.” The timing of this expansion is critical. As rural hospitals across Virginia continue to close their labor and delivery units, more patients are being squeezed out of care, forced to travel long distances for basic check-ups. “There aren't enough providers at the moment to meet the need of pregnant people in the United States. And growing the midwifery workforce is a big part of addressing that gap in care," she said. To schedule an appointment or explore care options, click here. ...read more read less