How DMV District Doulas helped me feel informed, empowered, and cared for during pregnancy, birth, and beyond.
My guiding principle in life is that good things happen to those who help themselves. So when I found out we were expecting, I dove headfirst into pregnancy research.
One of the first things I learned? 1 in 3 births in the U.S. are C-sections. That statistic surprised me. I knew C-sections could be medically necessary, but I really wanted to give myself the best chance of having a vaginal, unmedicated birth—partly for the faster recovery and fewer associated risks, but also because I wanted to share in the experience my mother and grandmother had.
The more I read, the more I learned about the cascade of interventions that can occur during labor and how easily one decision might lead to another, making my goal birth harder to achieve. That’s when I realized: I needed support. Enter District Doulas.
Looking for Doulas in the DMV
We interviewed two groups: Balanced Bellies and District Doulas.
Balanced Bellies
- I loved that they asked for your budget range up front and sent back bios of available doulas accordingly. This made it easy to find someone aligned with both your preferences and price point.
- They also had a large network of doulas, so finding a backup wasn’t a concern.
District Doulas
But then we met Michele, Carolyn, and Jackie from District Doulas—and we canceled our other interviews.
- During our conversation, we asked a situational question:
“What kind of conversation would we have if it looked like I couldn’t have the birth I envisioned?”
Michele immediately responded with such warm, nurturing energy. She described how she would first connect emotionally, then provide the education and reassurance we’d need to make confident medical decisions. My partner and I were instantly at ease. - We also loved District Doulas’ unique team-based model. Instead of a single primary doula, you build relationships with all three. That meant no last-minute “backup” strangers—just trusted faces we already knew.
👉 [Click here for our list of interview questions.]
Pregnancy Support with DMV District Doulas
Our experience during pregnancy with District Doulas exceeded every expectation.
- Monthly Classes
At first, we doubted whether we needed a full 3 hours for each session… and then we stayed every single time. The classes were incredibly well-organized, thorough, and packed with useful information. Pro tip: Sign your doula contract once you’re out of the pregnancy risk window (second trimester) to take full advantage of these classes! - Gestational Diabetes
When I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, Carolyn reached out right away with compassion and knowledge. She explained how care might shift—like how many providers won’t let you go past 40 weeks.
But instead of stressing, I felt prepared. District Doulas advised me on positioning techniques and cervical ripening to give my body the best chance at going into labor naturally by 40 weeks. I ended up delivering at 40 weeks and 1 day. - Birth Plan Session
We met one-on-one to craft a detailed birth plan, talking through everything from preferences to hospital protocols I hadn’t even considered.
At our hospital, the nurses, OB, and midwife all read and followed our plan—it made a difference.
👉 [Coming May 2025: What to include in your birth plan.] - 24/7 Texting Support
Having a team meant there was always someone available by text, phone, or email. Every question I had—big or small—was answered promptly and with so much care.
Labor & Birth Support with DMV District Doulas
Michele came to our home and stayed with us until I was 9 cm dilated and ready to head to the hospital.
From the moment she arrived, she jumped into action—doing hip squeezes, setting up the TENS machine, and offering calming guidance. She involved my partner, Mike, as much as possible until I needed more intensive support. No offense to Mike (he was amazing!), but there’s just no substitute for a trained doula. Michele brought my pain down from a 6 to a 4.
I’ll never forget her reminding me: “Breathe in love, breathe out fear.”
That phrase grounded me. Labor is intense, but I didn’t have to be afraid. I was getting closer to meeting our baby.
When we arrived at INOVA Fair Oaks, Michele stayed by my side while Mike parked the car. She hugged the midwife—clearly, they knew and respected each other—and it immediately put me at ease. She helped navigate hospital protocols, worked collaboratively with the nurses, and even adjusted equipment so I wouldn’t have to labor lying down.
During labor, she rotated me through different birth positions, held my leg while I pushed, and gently reminded me not to tense up. And in those wild, animalistic moments where I felt like a mare in a barn, she brushed my hair back, stroked my arm, and helped me feel human again.
She was a calming force in the chaos. And on top of all that, she took videos and photos so Mike could just be present with me in the moment. She gave us the gift of presence—and memories to treasure.
Postpartum Support with DMV District Doulas
You don’t even know how much you don’t know about breastfeeding until you’re in it.
Yes, the hospital lactation consultant is helpful, but you’re exhausted and can’t retain much. Michele showed us how to help our baby latch for the first time and even made a house call right before Thanksgiving to check in.
Thanks to her, I took all the right steps early on to stimulate my milk supply—and I’m still exclusively breastfeeding 4 months later.
She also helped us learn how to babywear, which was intimidating at first. Mike did a ton of skin-to-skin contact in the early days while I recovered, and Michele’s help gave us the confidence to connect with our newborn in a meaningful way.
Cost Transparency
We paid $2,300 in 2024 for full-spectrum doula care, and it was worth every penny.
Final Thoughts
I cannot stress this enough: Michele did everything a doula could do—and more.
She supported my mind, body, and soul, captured our precious birth memories, and created space for Mike to witness me and the beautiful struggle to birth our son.
If you’re in the DMV area and want caring, knowledgeable, and deeply present birth support, I wholeheartedly recommend District Doulas.
[…] physical, and informational support throughout pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. You can read about my lifechanging experience with a doula. Studies have consistently shown that hiring a doula can lead to better birth outcomes, […]