We cannot say enough wonderful things about DCBD. This was my/our first pregnancy, and we truly…read morefelt supported every step of the way by their team. Especially in those last 1-2 months, we leaned so heavily on the birth doulas and they responded to all of our questions and concerns immediately. We learned the most about how to care for our daughter and what was happening in my body from DCBD. I went into labor and the birth experience feeling ready and excited, and that's because of the experience, information, and kindness that were shared with us ahead of time. The birth - nearly 4 months later, and we are still talking about Camille! We are going to remember her forever - she was such a wonderful presence during my entire labor and after, and we don't know what we would have done without her. She made sure my husband and I knew what was happening, she advocated for us, she ensured I was comfortable (well, as comfortable as you can be in labor), and she really rooted for us the whole time. I felt safe because she was with us. And Ella - we were shocked that someone who didn't *have* to be there, stayed for the entire labor, participated, and stayed after when we were transferred to the postpartum room! She will be (or already is) a phenomenal birth doula. We felt so lucky to have Camille and Ella. Post birth - Lolonyo came to our house the very first night we were back from the hospital, and what a gift she is. She taught us how to soothe a baby, how to change a diaper (I'm sure they showed us in the hospital... but I could not remember haha). We had her for several nights during those first 2 months and we were so, so grateful to wake up the next morning refreshed, rested, and with the knowledge that our daughter had been held in loving arms all night long. She was never judgmental and was always supportive as we navigated breastfeeding, safe cosleeping, and everything else. We also had Joanna for several daytime visits. She always made sure to check in on my mental and physical health, which was so appreciated, and she was so helpful. We always felt like we were able to reset a bit after her visits, because she'd leave behind clean bottles and pump parts and a rested (and sometimes still sleeping) baby, and we would have had time to ourselves to shower and get a little more organized. She made our chaotic lives feel lighter, and we loved her for that. As a DCBD member you'll also have the opportunity to be part of a postpartum circle of other parents going through what you did. Shaleen and Elizabeth gave us space to talk through birth and everything that comes after, while feeling supported and safe. I'm still friends with some of the parents from my circle. In closing - DCBD is worth every single penny. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts!

Rebecca from DC Birth Doulas was absolutely incredible. From the moment we first connected, I…read moreimmediately felt comfortable with her and the entire team. She has such a warm, genuine presence that made it easy to ask questions and talk through everything honestly. She was always responsive and gave thoughtful, real answers that helped me feel informed and confident throughout the process. I was hoping for a VBAC, and with Rebecca's support we were able to have a successful one. She provided amazing support not only for me, but also for my husband. During labor she was calm, encouraging, and incredibly knowledgeable, helping us both feel grounded and supported every step of the way. Having Rebecca there made such a difference in our birth experience. I'm so grateful for her care and for the support of the entire DC Birth Doulas team. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a compassionate, knowledgeable, and truly supportive doula

Doula Nathalie & Associates is an incredibly supportive team. Through the online meetings covering…read morepregnancy-related topics, the childbirth classes, and the rental of a TENS unit, we felt truly supported and confident that we were with the right team. Hannah Wright was our doula, and she was incredible from the very beginning. From our first meeting, I knew she was the right person to support me and my husband during our baby's birth. She was deeply attentive, always helping me understand what I wanted and guiding me with clarity, care, and respect. I learned so much from her, and she was always checking in, offering support, and helping us make informed decisions. I had an induction and spent three days in the hospital before our baby arrived, and Hannah was consistently present, checking on us, bringing food, and being there whenever we needed her. When it was time to give birth, she arrived immediately and never left my side. I am certain that without Hannah, I would not have had the birth experience I wanted. She ensured my wishes were respected and supported me through every up and down with confidence and compassion. Hannah will always be part of our family's story.

I had a wonderful experience with my daytime doula Iyonna and evening doula Stephenie. Both were…read morevery helpful and knowledgeable which is so important for expectant mothers who need extra help cause newborns require so much and new moms need the time off to relax or just do... anything else. It feels endless and overwhelming at times. And it was wonderful to have the extra pair of hands so that I could sleep at night and take care of errands, get out of the house, grab food, and visit my older daughter in daycare during the day.

The womb room is amazing!! They offer so many classes for before baby or after. I took advantage of…read morethe free virtual prenatal yoga classes, pregnancy support group and baby and me yoga. Yoga is so fun to connect with my baby and also other moms. Plus Amanda is a great instructor! Some of their other classes are on the pricey side is the only thing but it's such a great resource for moms! Also their location can be a bit tricky to find but the main door is off Keswick Rd (and is stroller friendly). Walk in past the dress shop and bare to the right. There's a big parking lot in the back.

This review is is for the doula services and support groups (becoming a mom and breastfeeding)…read more I like that the becoming a mom group has a rotation of doulas who lead the group each week. That way you end up inadvertently meeting the different doulas. We went with Cara. She has a ton of experience and super chill vibe. Our hospital was not allowing extra visitors due to COVID so we signed up for a virtual doula service. She met with us a few times before the birth to review questions, birth plan, and provide support. She was also available via email for random questions that came up in between. The day of my labor I reached out to her as needed and she guided me through some of the decisions we had to make. Her support made it so that I could better advocate for myself and my baby during my labor. She was 100% supportive of all my decisions and in the end I ended up having a beautiful and quick birth. I am so happy we got a doula and recommend it to anyone no matter what type of brith you are planning on having. I found the groups to be more helpful towards the beginning of my pregnancy, especially as it was a time that COVID was just ramping up. The only issue is that the people in group vary from week to week. I think it would be nice to be able to connect with the same group from week to week so there is some continuity.

I could not recommend Birth You Desire / Ursula / Jenn more. Jenn has been simply the best doula we…read morecould have asked for. During birth, she was able to tell when my husband needed some extra help, asked the hospital staff for what he needed on his behalf when he was not mentally able to, and gave us guidance based off of my preferences and state of mind that led to an incredibly successful birth. Her postpartum care has honestly been the highlight of her services. I did not realize how much help we would need overnight and the help and resources that Jenn provides have been invaluable. Jenn claims she is not magic - but she is. You are in the best hands with Birth You Desire.

Jenn Carlson is an amazing person and doula who went above and beyond for us during our birth and…read morepostpartum journey. Our baby was born during one of the worst snowstorms in years and she made sure she was prepared and there to support us (even if it meant getting snowed in at the hospital). Without her care and experience we would've had a very different birth that likely would've ended in an emergency c-section. I had a lot of anxiety about giving birth but Jenn helped put me at ease and explained things very well. She is warm and has an evidence based approach to her work. She also looked out for my partner which I really appreciated, ensuring he ate and rested. Afterwards we also used Jenn's overnight doula services to care for our infant and she was just as fantastic with him. Not only did we get a good night's rest when she was here (priceless), we also felt so supported with learning about newborn care and dealing with all of the emotional aspects of becoming parents. Our journey would've been different without her and we will forever be grateful that we had her support.

We are incredibly grateful to have had Katie as our doula. She is professional, deeply experienced,…read morecompassionate, and exceptionally skilled at working with medical providers while always advocating for her clients. As someone of advanced maternal age with a pregnancy complicated by hypertension, I felt supported and informed every step of the way. Katie was a steady, reassuring presence throughout pregnancy, induction, and birth. She helped us navigate complex medical decisions with clarity and confidence, and her calm advocacy made a meaningful difference in our experience. We felt heard, respected, and empowered throughout the entire process. I cannot recommend her highly enough.

Katie is exceptional at her job, and an amazing human being. My wife and I were both very anxious…read moreeven before we were expecting for the first time. My wife needed someone who could instill calmness, provide information, and accommodate her preferences for labor. I needed someone who could help me be the involved partner i wanted to be through the childbirth process and after. That is why once we found out we were expecting we were looking for a doula to help us sort through the tons of information on preparing for childbirth, childbirth itself and the medical, personal, and other choices associated with it. Katie is an expert's expert, but is able to talk through different topics in a way that helped put us at ease. She's friendly and funny, which helps when she is walking through medical decisions, how to talk to doctors, how to talk to family, considerations and questions we have as first-time parents. She also makes herself available by phone and text when we have questions at random hours with baby. On top of all that, after our baby girl was born, she was able to follow up with us and help teach us a few tricks here and there as well as answer questions we had as things came up.

Having a baby is one of the most rewarding yet terrifying things you can experience in life. If…read moreyou're a parent you already know how the hospital just sends you on your way after a few days in recovery with no instruction manual or help desk number. Luckily my wife did some research and convinced me to hire doulas. We had the pleasure of working with Betsy and her team of doulas who consistently perform magic to soothe and care for our baby. Simultaneously, they teach us parenting techniques, act as our therapist, and most importantly allow us to catch up on sleep. They truly provide care to the whole family. It's also a lot better than having in laws come "help". I definitely recommend Metropolitan Doulas. It has 100% helped me enjoy being a new dad with their help to reduce the fear and anxiety of being a new parent.

Had a wonderful experience with Becca/Rebekah. She provided us with an introduction to parenthood…read moreincluding diapering, sleep habits, and answered our million questions. We felt incredibly supported.

The midwives at M.A.M.A.S. are absolutely wonderful! They not only are qualified medical…read moreprofessionals, but amazing companions and confidants in the journey to welcoming a baby. Prenatal appointments are thorough and not rushed, and care is all encompassing beyond just the growing baby. Postnatal care is frequent and truly feels like care, rather than a checklist. Beyond their care alone, the midwives create a beautiful community not only during the prenatal period but long after. We love each of the midwives and feel so lucky to know them and been under their care. I'd recommend the M.A.M.A.S. care team to anyone looking for compassionate, evidence based care, whether for home birth or well women's care.

The MAMAS midwives offer thorough, empathetic prenatal care and postpartum support. Emily and…read moreLuisely supported me expertly through a fast, intense birth, and I am so grateful to them. MAMAS is an out-of-network practice for many, and I wish there were more guidance offered about how to navigate the insurance hurdles. Admin staff is only part-time and many of my emails went unanswered. I asked a lot of questions in person as well, and I didn't receive some key information about gap exceptions that would have made the process less stressful. As expected, I received only a small reimbursement from my insurer, and it took several months of emails and calls for MAMAS to realize they had received the check from my insurer and forward it to me.

I signed a contract with Nova Birth Services LLC in July of 2025. In order to secure the doula…read morebirth and postpartum overnight services, we paid a 50% deposit on both services totaling $3050. In November, I was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia and hospitalized. Due to my condition, I had to deliver my baby early via emergency c-section at just over 31 weeks. My baby is currently in the NICU. I wasn't able to have a prenatal in-home visit due to my hospitalization and was given very short notice of my emergency C-section due to my declining health. After my birth, I was put on magnesium, and my baby was sent to the NICU. My husband and I were both so terrified that the last thing I was thinking about was having my doula attend. I was afraid for me and my baby. I reached out to Shannon after my birth and asked if I could cancel the postpartum doula services because of the new financial strain of NICU costs/my hospitalization. She informed me that if I canceled the postpartum doula services, that both contracts would be void, and all services would be considered rendered. Remember, I did not receive a prenatal visit nor birth services due to my medical condition & hospitalization. The contract I signed stated that if the doula wasn't at your birth, you would be entitled to eight hours of postpartum services. Shannon explained that because I paid a 50% deposit on both services, none of the services were paid in full so I would receive nothing else moving forward. Although we had paid $3050 and the birth doula services were $2100, I would need to pay an additional $900 in order to receive the eight hours of postpartum services. She said I could "take it or leave it" and that she would not move money from one contract to another. I was shocked at her response. There was no solution offered where I could receive any services post-birth for the $3050 we had paid. More money had to be paid. This was literally the worst experience of my entire life, and I received no care or compassion at all from Shannon. She maintained that her responsibility was to her staff/business. During our phone call, I was talking about my hospitalization and she mentioned that all of her clients were hospitalized. I clarified that I wasn't hospitalized because I was giving birth. I was hospitalized due to severe preeclampsia and potential organ failure. Trying to work things out with her made a horrible situation even more stressful and terrible. She refuses to budge and maintains that we will not receive any postpartum services if we don't pay extra. My husband and I feel as though we have paid $3050 and have received nothing. We did not receive a prenatal appointment, doula birth services, or any postpartum care. Please see the last email I received from her.

First -- if you're on the fence about hiring a doula for your first baby, do it. And if you're…read morewondering who to choose, the answer is Shannon. As a first-time dad, I can honestly say Shannon was invaluable -- not just for my wife, but for me too. From the start, she made us feel comfortable, informed, and genuinely prepared for what was ahead. She has this calm, thoughtful, and considerate presence that immediately lowers the temperature in the room. Nothing ever felt rushed or overwhelming because she helped us understand what was happening and what our options were. During labor, Shannon was incredible. She didn't just support my wife -- she supported us as a team. She walked us through next steps, explained the choices being presented, and made sure we felt confident in our decisions. One thing that really stood out to me was how she helped me help my wife. She showed me exercises and techniques I could guide her through to ease labor and keep things progressing. That made me feel involved and useful instead of helpless, which meant a lot. After the birth, Shannon's support didn't stop. She came to our home for a postpartum visit and helped us process the entire experience. She walked us through what to expect physically and emotionally in the days and weeks ahead, what to watch out for, and answered all of our first-time parent questions without judgment. She even helped find us a pump -- such a thoughtful and practical gesture that shows how much she truly cares. Shannon doesn't just provide information -- she provides confidence. As new parents, that's everything. We felt supported, knowledgeable, and empowered every step of the way. We can't recommend her highly enough. If you're considering working with Shannon, you will not regret it.

If you're interested in a home birth + midwife around Takoma Park, look no further. Rachel is…read moreprofessional and empathetic, reassuring and earnest. If I could have all of my babies with Rachel, I would. This is my 5-star experience from start to finish: Pregnancy: I reached out to her when I had a subpar bedside manner experience at George Washington Hospital for my low-risk pregnancy. I couldn't imagine moving forward in maternity care with rotating OBs and random residents. I really wanted a home birth, but also wanted to find a midwife who would have an emergency transfer plan and not recklessly force a home birth. Cue Rachel! My husband and I both looked forward to cozy monthly appointments with her--she ensured that we were educated on important topics by guiding us through a few discussion points at every meeting. I never felt overwhelmed by information (or at a loss of what to ask). If she wasn't 100% certain about an answer to a question, she was honest about it and pointed me towards resources. Labor & Delivery: As I approached my due date, she was available by phone to discuss my uncertainty about whether or not my water broke. She arrived within an hour of us calling during active labor. She was with me during literally every contraction, tirelessly applying counter pressure, checking baby's heart rate, guiding my breath, and juggling a billion other things that I didn't know about. When I hemorrhaged during birth, she so acted quickly and calmly with Pitocin and a fundal massage that I didn't even realize the severity of the situation. There is nothing as delightful as being in my own bed eating my own food 10 minutes after giving birth, and Rachel facilitated it all so gracefully. Home births are messy (duh) and Rachel brought so much equipment, but she and the second midwife left our apartment cleaner than when they came. Postpartum & Misc Thoughts: I had so many follow-up appointments with Rachel where we were able to address everything from my baby's health to breastfeeding to my physical wellbeing and spiraling emotions. Paying a flat fee for ALL pregnancy through postpartum care is amazing--no hidden bills or up-charged items at the hospital (she administered multiple IVs during labor and didn't have to think twice about $$). There's an annual community gathering of her current and past clients, which is really special! The bond we built over the span of 9 months with Rachel is incredible and she will forever be an important person in our lives.

I had the most incredible experience with Rock Creek Midwifery and cannot recommend them highly…read moreenough. Rachel, my midwife, was gentle, caring, and deeply respectful of my needs, while also being completely professional and grounded in her expertise. Throughout my pregnancy, Rachel led me through so much more beyond standard care - like prenatal nutrition, emotional well-being, and many "what if? have we considered...?" topics. I never felt rushed during our appointments. When labor came, it lasted much longer than expected, but Rachel guided me through every moment, keeping me focused and positive. Working closely with my doula, she created a series of labor positions that helped my sunny-side-up baby make his way earthside. Her skills, patience, and steady presence were everything I needed. After the birth, Rachel continued to show up with the same care and professionalism through at-home postpartum visits, which supported my goal of self-imposed bed rest and allowed me to stay in a peaceful bubble of recovery. I felt truly cared for from start to finish. If you are considering a home birth, I wholeheartedly recommend Rachel and Rock Creek Midwifery.

Hiring Ashley, Michelle and Jackie was the best decision we made in planning for the birth of our…read morefirst baby. We had a lot of questions and issues toward the end of my pregnancy and having them available to us was truly invaluable. The team was constantly on hand to talk through whatever came up and to help us navigate challenging situations. Having Jackie at the hospital with us was amazing - she worked seamlessly with all the doctors and nurses at GW and lifted our spirits after several challenges during labor and delivery. We can't imagine going through this process without her. The services provided are well worth the price. The classes and workshops were extremely helpful and informative. They also helped to eliminate some of the fear of the unknown for first-time parents. I can't recommend Jackie, Ashley and Michelle enough - you will not regret working with them.

Words truly cannot do justice regarding how amazing Michele is and how much my husband and I would…read morerecommend her and Ashley's services. Run, don't walk, and hire her! :) Not only is Michele knowledgeable and talented regarding anything and everything prenatal, labor/delivery, and postpartum, but she brings the added layer of being approachable, honest, hilarious, and unbelievably encouraging. She is there to support the type of birth that *you* want - whatever that might be. She made me feel empowered, strong, and prepared. We found the three classes that they taught to be very helpful - giving us the right amount of information, as well as the right type of information. It also connected us to others in the community in similar stages of life. I always looked forward to attending. Additionally, during the labor and delivery, it seemed as if Michele almost served as a family member, doula, nurse, midwife, *and* doctor - she wore so many hats - all while making me feel extremely comfortable and supported. At every step along the way, and every decision point, I looked to her first for her insight and opinions. I also heard firsthand from both a nurse and midwife how much they appreciated having her as support to them as well. Choosing Michele was single-handedly the best decision I made during this journey and I cannot recommend her (and Ashley) enough. I will definitely use them again if/when we have another child.