I'm offering a childbirth preparation class for lesbian couples or single lesbian mothers. Classes begin on Sunday, February 20th and run for 5 weeks (skipping the February 27th) and will meet in downtown Silver Spring. Please contact me directly at dcdoula@gmail.com for more information about the class, teaching philosophy, etc. Space is very limited, right now there's room for two more couples.
Thanks!
Amy

I would strongly consider checking out the midwives at the Family Health and Birth Center. You can choose to deliver at the birth center or at Washington Hospital Center. Who knows, after hanging around the birth center for prental visits, your husband may be more comfortable with the idea of delivering there. If that doesn't happen, then you have fantastic midwives who will attend your birth at WHC. If you plan to go the hospital route, I would scrimp, save or barter for the services of a doula. It will make all the difference in the world. Good luck. Trust birth.

I gave birth at the DC Birth Center almost three years ago. I cannot say enough good things about the experience and I would have ZERO reservations about going that route again. Sadly, we moved to Atlanta when our daughter was just two months old and our next child was born in Atlanta (only one birth center in all of Georgia). Have your husband ask questions of the staff at the birth centers. Things like, "how many emergency transfers have you ever had?" "Once midwives decide there's a problem, how quickly can we get moved?" I imagine he will be pleasantly surprised by the answers. Birth centers are safe places (safer, in my opinion, and now I speak as both a mom and an experienced doula) with exceptionally competent medical providers who don't hesitate to use their broad knowledge to help you get the birth you want. I'd be happy to expound on my experience privately if that would help. We're moving back to DC this summer and if I get pregnant again (not planning on it!) I'll be at the DC Birth Center in a hot minute.
Good luck!

For those of you considering going for VBACs, vaginal births when the OBs have said you're too tiny, here's an encouraging slide show from ICAN: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roFVkDV45MM

I'm a doula and a mom of two (one of which was born weighing 9lbs 14.5 ounces). I can't tell you how many times my clients have been told they are having HUUUUGE babies only to birth a 7 pounder. It makes me crazy. And it turns out, I was one who had a huge baby and he was delivered underwater, with about 35 minutes of pushing and superficial tearing that required just one stitch. Please don't let your doctors make you nervous about birth weight. If it really is an issue, you'll be able to make some decisions about how you deiiver once you're actually in labor. Our bodies are meant to do this birthing thing.
And of course, inducing increases your chances of delivering by c-section so if you want to avoid that, I'd avoid an early induction.

I'm debating whether or not to apply this late in the game. Has anyone had luck getting off the WL in the summer?

Thanks!

We found out last week that we'll be moving back to DC (we left just three years ago and moved to Atlanta). We lived in Silver Spring (downtown) and would like to be back in that part of town. This is TERRIBLE timing for preschool, and I'm beginning to sweat. Our 3 year old loves her preschool now. It's a church-sponsored preschool (lite on religion), play centered and three mornings a week. Any chance anybody out there knows of a similar sounding school that has openings? I could spend two days on the phone calling every preschool in the area but this seems so much more promising...

Any ideas about how to go about this search would also be appreciated. Success stories from others who have been in the situation might help lower my blood pressure (it's only preschool...it's only preschool....)

Thanks so much!
A