Hospital guides
Hospitals I attend
What it’s actually like to give birth at these hospitals and birth centers, from a doula who supports families there.
- 01 Alexander T. Augusta Military Medical Center Fort Belvoir, VA I’ve had the privilege of supporting many military families as they welcomed their babies at Alexander T. Read the guide →
- 02 Fauquier Hospital Warrenton, VA Fauquier Hospital in Warrenton is a wonderful, welcoming option for families looking for a comfortable hospital birth experience. Read the guide →
- 03 George Washington University Hospital Washington, DC George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C., is known for supporting waterbirth, making it a distinctive option for families in the Northern Virginia and D.C. Read the guide →
- 04 Inova Alexandria Hospital Alexandria, VA In my experience supporting births at Inova Alexandria Hospital, the approach has been more medically focused and less accommodating of non-medicated birth preferences. Read the guide →
- 05 Inova Fair Oaks Hospital Fairfax, VA Fair Oaks is where I attend most of my births, and it's where many of my families choose to deliver. Read the guide →
- 06 Inova Fairfax Hospital Falls Church, VA I attend fewer births at Inova Fairfax Hospital than at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital. Read the guide →
- 07 Inova Loudoun Hospital Leesburg, VA I delivered my first baby at Inova Loudoun Hospital, and the maternity facilities have since undergone a beautiful transformation. Read the guide →
- 08 Mary Washington Hospital Fredericksburg, VA Mary Washington Hospital offers standard-sized labor and delivery rooms, with one labor tub available in a single room on a first-come, first-served basis. Read the guide →
- 09 MedStar Georgetown University Hospital Washington, DC MedStar Georgetown University Hospital is the only hospital I’m aware of in the surrounding Northern Virginia and D.C. Read the guide →
- 10 Reston Hospital Center Reston, VA Reston Hospital Center is an option for families seeking hospital-based maternity care, though its rooms are less spacious than those at some other local hospitals. Read the guide →
- 11 Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital Charlottesville, VA Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital offers spacious, private labor and delivery rooms, each featuring a whirlpool tub for comfort and relaxation during labor. Read the guide →
- 12 Sentara RMH Medical Center Harrisonburg, VA Sentara RMH Medical Center in Harrisonburg is a wonderful option for families wanting a hospital birth with thoughtful support for a low-intervention experience. Read the guide →
- 13 Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center Fredericksburg, VA If you’re planning a hospital birth in the Fredericksburg area, Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center is worth a look! Read the guide →
- 14 Stafford Hospital Stafford, VA Stafford Hospital offers standard-sized labor and delivery rooms in a comfortable, welcoming setting. Read the guide →
- 15 Stone Springs Hospital Center Dulles, VA Stone Springs Hospital Center offers spacious labor and delivery rooms that are twice the size of those at many other hospitals, providing plenty of space to move, change positions, and use comfort measures throughout labor. Read the guide →
- 16 UVA Health Culpeper Medical Center Culpeper, VA UVA Health Culpeper Medical Center offers spacious labor and delivery rooms that are two to three times the size of standard hospital rooms, with plenty of space for movement and comfort throughout labor. Read the guide →
- 17 UVA Health Prince William Medical Center Manassas, VA I delivered two of my children at UVA Health Prince William Medical Center, making this hospital a special part of my own birth story. Read the guide →
- 18 UVA Health University Medical Center Charlottesville, VA UVA University Medical Center in Charlottesville offers standard-sized labor and delivery rooms and supports both medicated and non-medicated births, with options tailored to your preferences and medical needs. Read the guide →
- 19 VHC Health (Virginia Hospital Center) Arlington, VA In my experience supporting births at VHC Health in Arlington, the labor rooms have been very small, offering limited space for movement and labor support. Read the guide →
- 20 Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Bethesda, MD For my military families and other eligible beneficiaries, Walter Reed in Bethesda is worth exploring if you’re looking for a hospital birth with access to extensive medical support. Read the guide →
- 21 Winchester Medical Center Winchester, VA Winchester Medical Center offers spacious labor and delivery rooms that are twice the size of standard hospital rooms, providing plenty of space for movement, positioning, and labor support. Read the guide →
Birth centers I attend
- 01 BirthCare & Women's Health Alexandria, VA For families seeking a personalized, out-of-hospital birth experience near Washington, DC, BirthCare & Women’s Health in Old Town Alexandria is a wonderful option to explore. Read the guide →
- 02 Brookhaven Midwifery & Natural Birth Center Harrisonburg, VA For families hoping for a calm, home-like birth experience, Brookhaven Midwifery & Natural Birth Center in Harrisonburg is a beautiful option to explore. Read the guide →
- 03 Linden Tree Midwifery Strasburg, VA Linden Tree Midwifery holds such a special place in my heart and is truly one of my favorite birth centers to recommend. Read the guide →
- 04 Premier Birth Center Chantilly, VA Premier Birth Center in Chantilly is one of my top choices for families seeking a personalized, non-medicated birth. Read the guide →
- 05 Riverhaven Community Birth Center Charlottesville, VA Riverhaven Community Birth Center in Charlottesville is a wonderful option for families wanting a personalized, out-of-hospital birth experience. Read the guide →
- 06 The Nest Birth House Madison, VA If you’re looking for a beautiful, calming place to welcome your baby outside of the hospital, The Nest Birth House in Madison, VA, is a wonderful option. Read the guide →