Living in DC, looking for birth center recommendations?

skooterblenny

Hi, I live in DC and would prefer a "home birth" but our walls are paper thin (neighbors!) and we do not have a bathtub for waterbirth. I have an OB-gyn that practices in Arlington, but have not scheduled my first appointment yet. Wondering what I should do?  Does one typically make an appt with the dr. even if they do not want a hospital birth? Any recommendations for birthing centers in areas close to NW DC?

 

Thanks! 

AJM796

Here are your options in DC/VA (not sure about MD...maybe Shady Grove?) for birth centers:

NOVA BirthCenter (pretty far from DC, imo)  www.novabirthcenter.com

BirthCare and Women's Health  www.birthcare.org

DC Family Health and Birth Center www.yourfhbc.org

Some people see a DR. and realize that's not the route they want to go and switch to a MW. Some people just start with a MW off the bat. But I haven;t heard of someone seeing DR even though they are planning non-hospital birth.

Good Luck!

Myst2211

I am currently at Birth By Design with Kim and Peggy https://www.birthbydesign.org/.

They are wonderful and they will come to you. They are opening a birthing center at the end of June and I would recommend them hands down. I do not know about the other MW's that were suggested but I wanted to add my two cents about what I do know.

M

LindseyJW

great suggestions above. Peggy and Kim's center might be a little far for you, coming from DC, but i've heard wonderful things about them. BirthCare & Women's Health is in Old Town - might be a better drive than out to Chantilly.

have you considered a birthing class? HypnoBirthing births tend to be very quiet. we had our little girl at home in our townhouse last fall and we also have paper thin walls (as in, i can hear my neighbors having mundane conversations at times). my entire labor was between breakfast and lunch and they never knew. the only time i made any noise (other than conversation) was right at the end and it wasn't loud at all.

AJM796

Myst2211:

I am currently at Birth By Design with Kim and Peggy https://www.birthbydesign.org/.

They are wonderful and they will come to you. They are opening a birthing center at the end of June and I would recommend them hands down. I do not know about the other MW's that were suggested but I wanted to add my two cents about what I do know.

M

Their birth center is NOVA Birth Center but Lindsey is right with it being possibly a little far for you.

Mrs.Handy

If you want a home birth, I wouldn't let paper thin walls get in the way! Your neighbors can deal with a little noise for a day so you can you have the birth you want.

But it's whatever you feel comfortable with.