I am often asked: Are you familiar with my medical practice and birth site? If so, what was your experience working with the health providers there?

I go wherever I am called to in the northern Virginia area, and even into Washington, D.C. Having met quite a few of the doctors and midwives in the area, I will gladly share what I know with you.

There are lots of hospitals here, and we are also blessed with a few wonderful birth centers, and highly skilled midwives that will attend your home birth, in this area. Home birth is legal in Virginia. We are lucky; not every state has such freedoms to choose. My very closest hospital is INOVA Loudoun Hospital, but I have no problems traveling an hour or more, and rough weather does not phase this native Midwest girl! Just ask me if I will go to you. "Yes" is a pretty safe guess for an answer to that question. If I haven't been to the place you are planning to have your baby, you can bet I'm looking forward to my first experience there, with you!

By the way, most doulas will ask for an hour or two to get to you, because we all know how rush hour can be in the Capital Area! So, when should you call in your doula? That depends on so many factors, like the time of day and the weather. Make sure to let your doula know where you would like her to meet you, and when! Then strategize what you will do if you need her at various times of day.