Birth Service changes due to COVID-19 can be located here.
Welcome your baby with trusted midwives that know you. We are committed to providing you with an outstanding birthing experience!
Our certified nurse midwives are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to accommodate your baby’s arrival schedule.
Our eight midwives support births at Washington Hospital Center and at our free-standing birth center, Family Health and Birth Center. The birth center option is available to eligible low-risk women each month and provides a relaxed and caring setting for you to give birth on your terms, in the two beautiful, home-like birth rooms.
If you are a current patient with questions about whether you qualify for an out-of-hospital birth, please contact Ebony Marcelle, Director of Midwifery, at emarcelle@cohdc.org.
We offer a variety of services for you during and after their pregnancy! Our midwives provide prenatal care, including groups, throughout your pregnancy. In addition, we connect you to our doula services and provide breastfeeding and other postpartum services. We'll also provide pediatric care for your newborn.
We provide individual visits with a midwife.
At each prenatal visit, learn more about your body, your baby and the choices you have for your birth experience.
Transfers
We accept transfers up to 37 weeks for hospital births only.
You must transfer by 32 wks and provide your medical records for birth center birth option.
CenteringPregnancy® group care starts after your 6th month of pregnancy
Centering is a fun and supportive way of providing prenatal care in a group setting. Talk to other pregnant moms about what matters to you, ask your doctor or midwife and complete lots of fun activities: belly casting, eating snacks, and the chance to win prizes and gifts.
Breastfeeding Support and Education
Our breastfeeding experts educate you about the benefits of breastfeeding your baby and provide tips on how to breastfeed.
After birth, we provide breastfeeding support: home or hospital visits, phone calls, and drop-in office visits.
80% of African-American mothers initiated breastfeeding at a rate much higher than the national average
The Pre-term birth rate at COH is 7% versus the DC average of 10 %
-Elisabeth McKinney, Ward 8 mother and patient
