Compare 3 certified nurse midwives in Bakersfield, CA. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
3
Certified Nurse Midwives
100%
Accepting patients
67%
Most common: LM
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Bakersfield has 3 certified nurse midwives. The most common credential is LM (67%). 100% are currently accepting new patients. Practitioners see patients in neighborhoods including Downtown Bakersfield, Oleander-Sunset, Westchester, and Riverlakes.
Nearby hospitals include Kern Medical Center, Adventist Health Bakersfield, and Mercy Hospital Bakersfield. Local training programs run through California State University, Bakersfield and Bakersfield College. Kern County faces one of the most severe physician shortages in California, with roughly 40 doctors per 100,000 residents.
Prenatal visits with a midwife are longer than typical OB visits, usually 30 to 60 minutes. The midwife will monitor your pregnancy, check blood pressure, measure your belly, listen to the baby's heartbeat, and spend time discussing nutrition, exercise, birth preferences, and any concerns. During labor, the midwife provides continuous support, encourages movement and positioning, and manages pain with non-pharmacological methods (water immersion, breathing techniques) or orders an epidural if requested. Postpartum visits typically include a check at one to two weeks and again at six weeks, with support for breastfeeding and recovery.
See a midwife for pregnancy care if you have a low-risk pregnancy and want a provider who emphasizes natural birth, patient education, and longer appointments. Midwives also provide well-woman care throughout your life: annual exams, Pap smears, breast exams, contraception counseling, fertility support, and menopause management. You might choose a midwife if you want a home birth or birth center birth, want to minimize medical interventions during labor, or simply prefer the midwifery model of care. If your pregnancy becomes high-risk, your midwife will collaborate with an OB/GYN.
Prenatal visit copay: $20-50 · Hospital birth (midwife fee): $2,000-5,000 · Birth center birth: $2,000-6,000 · Home birth: $3,000-8,000 (may be out of pocket) · Well-woman visit: $0-50 copay
Bakersfield, CA has 3 licensed certified nurse midwives. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of certified nurse midwives in Bakersfield, CA are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
A prenatal visit copay is $20 to $50. A hospital birth (midwife fee) costs $2,000 to $5,000. A birth center birth costs $2,000 to $6,000. A home birth costs $3,000 to $8,000 (may be out of pocket). A well-woman visit copay is $0 to $50. Actual costs in Bakersfield, CA depend on the provider and your insurance plan. All insurance plans must cover CNM maternity care. Birth center births are covered by most plans. Home birth coverage is less consistent; check your plan. Midwife-attended births tend to cost less overall due to fewer interventions.
Look for a board-certified provider who accepts your insurance and practices near you. Bakersfield, CA has 3 certified nurse midwives. Reading patient reviews and checking hospital affiliations can help narrow your choice. FindClarity lets you compare providers by credentials, insurance, and location.
Some certified nurse midwives in Bakersfield, CA accept Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid covers CNM services in all states. About 50% of births nationally are covered by Medicaid. Midwife-attended births are fully covered. Contact the provider's office directly to confirm Medi-Cal participation before scheduling.
Prenatal visits follow the standard schedule: monthly through 28 weeks, biweekly from 28 to 36 weeks, and weekly from 36 weeks until delivery. Midwife visits tend to be longer (30-60 minutes vs. 15 minutes with an OB). Postpartum visits at one to two weeks and six weeks. With 3 certified nurse midwives in Bakersfield, CA, you can search on FindClarity to find a provider who fits your schedule.
Certified Nurse Midwives in the area may have trained at UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, UCSF School of Medicine, and Stanford University School of Medicine. Graduates of local programs often stay in the area to practice.
All insurance plans are legally required to cover certified nurse-midwife (CNM) services. Medicaid covers CNM care in all states and is the payer for about 50% of births nationally. Hospital births with a CNM are covered at the same level as physician births. Birth center births are covered by most plans. Home birth coverage varies by insurer and state. Verify your plan covers the specific birth setting you prefer. Midwife-attended births tend to cost less than physician-attended births due to fewer interventions.