Midwives Accessible by Public Transportation?

[Anonymous]

All,

We are car-free and trying to navigate a pregnancy in DC with no vehicle has not been as easy as I would have hoped. Finding a midwife in DC/MD is difficult enough, and the one I was able to locate is miles from the nearest metro. Does anyone have any suggestions? I suppose NoVa is an option, but that means we will be taking a cab from Northwest DC to Virginia when the baby comes.

Your thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Birth Care is in Old Town, Alexandria and is not very far from the King Street metro.

[Anonymous]

First off, I totally respect your commitment to going car free. I did it in Chicgo for years, and only got a car when I became pregnant.

I second Birthcare, and had a homebirth with their midwives. I took Metro to every single appointment. But you are not going to want to be on public transit in labor. Cabbing it is one option, but what about joining Flexcar? If that jibes with your level of car-free-ness, it might be a better option for when you actually go into labor.

[Anonymous]

Midwifery care associates is accessible by public transportation. You take the red line to Medical Center and from there take a quick five or ten minute bus ride to their offices. I was hesitant about it at first but have been doing the trip for months now and it's really not too bad! Good luck to you.

[Anonymous]

You can go to Birthcare in Alexandria. Metro to your appointments, then deliver at home. They do 70% of their births at home (30% at the birthcenter) so that is their specialty. That way you don't have to go anywhere in labor.

Or, hire MAMAS midwives -- they come to your home for all prenatal appointments and then you have a homebirth with them. You never have to go anywhere! They are really great; one midwife just left Birthcare (to start this independent practice) and the other was one of the founding midwives at the DC Birth Center.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. I think I'll do a tour at the Midwifery Associates Bethesda office and decide from there. As this is my first, I really want to deliver in a hospital, but with a midwife. That seems like a nice balance between the natural birth I'm hoping for and my risk averse nature. Thanks again!

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you've already set up a game plan, but as another non-car owner who is also committed to midwifery care, I'd urge you to also check out the Family Health and Birth Center (formerly the DC Birth Center). They are staffed by midwives, most of whom also deliver at Washington Hospital Center and all of whom are GREAT. Both the Birth Center and Washington Hospital Center are a short bus ride from Metros/downtown. And, you might decide you love the Birth Center (as I do) and go hospital-free.
Been thinking about this issue generally-- am at 34 weeks and imagining taking a cab while in labor. But, have friends w/ cars falling over themselves volunteering to drive us. We'll see...