Hiring District Doulas was the absolute best decision we made related to my pregnancy and the birth of our son. I would recommend them to anyone - hire them now!!! I did a ton of research on DC area doulas and interviewed several before choosing this practice. I chose DD because I loved that they were small enough that you could get to know all three doulas that may potentially be at your birth. I also appreciated the 24/7 text line and the in person classes. They were actually one of the only practices I found that offered a class series. The text line was SO helpful to us whenever we had a question or a scare during pregnancy. I also loved that the classes were in person - we learned so much and felt really prepared for the birth. I recommend hiring them early enough that you can go to all four classes before you give birth. Carolyn did our prenatal visit and helped us put together our birth plan, talked us through how to deal with a baby in breech position, and helped us navigate through a couple nerve wracking times where we felt reduced movement. Most of all she helped us make the decision to switch providers midway through my pregnancy. I really believe that this helped enable me to have the overall birth experience that I wanted. She was so supportive throughout and we loved working with her. Jackie was our doula for the birth. She was amazing - I honestly don't know what we would have done without her. She joined us at our house and then followed us to the hospital when it was time to go in - she really helped us time going in to the hospital so that we would be admitted at the right time (not too early or too late). She was so calm and reassuring throughout, and an amazing advocate for me and for my husband as well - ensuring that he got to hold the baby and get his own skin to skin time after the birth. She took photos for us, and stayed with us well after the birth. I had a very smooth experience because of her guidance and advocacy. We are so, so grateful to have had her as our doula. On top of all of this - they really mean it when they say they are your doulas for life. At the postpartum visit, Jackie helped me a ton with breastfeeding and Carolyn shared some tips with me over the phone. We didn't get as much of a chance to work with Michelle, but it was clear from the classes how knowledgeable she was as well. All three of them truly care about women and babies, and it shows. This was money so well spent. If we have a second baby, we will be hiring them again. read more

There arent enough good things to say about District Doulas and Michele. My husband and I decided to get a Doula a few months prior to birth and had the opportunity to attend a few of District Doulas classes. Learning about birth from them and breast-feeding was incredibly helpful and made both seem less daunting. In the week leading up to birth, they were phenomenal with their communication, checking in and helping translate what we were hearing from the doctors. I went into labor a little bit differently than expected where my water broke before contractions really started. This led to needing a lot of Pitocin, something that I was pretty freaked out by. Michele was my Doula and the entire time she was so comforting via text and phone calls, and made me feel so positively about everything that was going on at the hospital. When things started to pick up, she arrived and was the perfect presence making us all calm and she got along so well with our nurses and Dr. She was right there with us the entire time, holding my leg as I pushed and giving me words of encouragement. Once our son made his entrance into the world, she took photos that I will treasure forever. She stayed after for a little to ensure that we were adjusting to breast-feeding and that everything was going OK, and she continued to check in over the coming days. I have to say that all of our hospital care team raved about her, and said that it was the best Doula experience that they have worked with. That meant a lot to me, knowing that they see a lot of other providers and knew just how awesome District Doulas was. Following birth we had our postpartum visit and she gave me the tough love I needed which was to slow down and not try to do so much. I was beyond exhausted and these words while hard to hear were exactly what I needed to do. She helped save my mental and physical health as a result of that visit. District Doulas has continued to be an incredible resource for us, sharing recommendations for everything from baby lotion to postpartum therapist. If we have another child, Michele and District Doulas will be my first call. They are the most incredible investment you can make to have the positive birth experience that you want. I cannot thank them enough! read more

I highly recommend their services for both birth support and prenatal education. They offer a perfect balance of warmth, compassion, and deep expertise. I would recommend any family expecting a baby! read more

Having District Doulas as part of our birth team was the best decision we made. We interviewed a lot of different doula services, but District Doulas's unique model, their offerings, and their dedication set them apart. We hired Jackie, Carolyn, and Michele early in my pregnancy, and they were phenomenal resources. From offering wonderful classes on a range of issues to responding to all of my pregnancy-related questions, they were professional, kind, and incredibly knowledgable. On the day of our son's birth, Jackie played a key role in making sure that my birth preferences were honored as much as possible. Not only did she bring a calm, caring presence to our delivery room, but she also helped us advocate for ourselves. When I look back on my birth, all of the positive parts are thanks to Jackie! I'm a few weeks postpartum now, and District Doulas have continued to be a fantastic resource. I'm so grateful to the entire team for making our pregnancy, birth, and postpartum time much less stressful that it otherwise might have been! read more

Michele and Candice were SO amazing during my birth and afterward. This was my first pregnancy, and I don't know how we would have got through it without their support. I planned to have an unmedicated birth, but plans changed when I was only 7cm dilated after 34 hours of labor. Michele's support was so vital for my emotional and mental wellbeing after I made that decision. She was also an unwavering advocate for me throughout the birth, especially when a nurse tried to bully me into making a decision I was uncomfortable with. Even after the birth, Michele went above and beyond to help with breastfeeding issues for weeks. She helped get my baby to latch and hooked me up with other new moms when I had milk to donate. Securing their services was hands-down the best decision we made in preparing for our baby. read more

Jackie, Michele, and Carolyn were an excellent find for us. We don't know how we would have made it through the pregnancy and delivery without them, and we highly recommend them to all expecting couples. In the months leading up to the delivery they did an excellent job with support and education. They were available 24/7 to answer questions about the 'fun' complications of pregnancy and really helped us feel supported as we navigated first time pregnancy. There were regular classes covering everything that matters and a full library of recorded past classes. When we got to the hospital the nurse asked my husband (not a medical professional) if he was a medical provider because he seemed to know what was going on thanks to all of their education. We now try to remember their advice about approaching medical issues when talking to any doctor. Their support felt essential for the delivery. I needed to be induced and so we started with regular phone calls to help us know what to expect. As things got more intense, they dropped off a very helpful support kit that provided ways to manage labor pains to help delay medication. Jackie spoke to us over video to help us try different labor positions that turned out to be very useful as well. Carolyn was in the delivery room with us and really helped make the birth happen. I had wanted to avoid the epidural as long as possible and she came and helped us really stretch things out. We made the hospital room closer to my happy place: nice mood lighting, peaceful music, really nice fragrances, calm conversations, and lots of different positions to try to help me work through the contractions. Eventually she helped me make my peace with the epidural as a way to avoid a c-section. And it was really after the epidural that we realized how essential her help was. She helped me regularly change positions so that the contractions would be more effective at helping the baby descend. We just wouldn't have been able to do these without her and the delivery would probably have taken much longer. She also helped us process everything the doctor and nurses explained to us. And with her help the actual pushing part felt natural and smooth, and before I knew it my daughter was in my arms. The doulas have also been super helpful after the delivery. From dealing with possibly needing to take our daughter back to the hospital for jaundice related issues and suggesting where to go if needed to find help or just answering questions as things come up, we have really felt very supported. If we decide to have another kid we would definitely go with this team again. read more

Michele and Candice are such incredible doulas -- their support was absolutely priceless. They are both easygoing, straightforward, and really know their stuff. I will be forever grateful for their support. I delivered at GW, and they are clearly known and respected by the staff there. The whole experience of having my baby at GW with the help of Michele felt like a seamless team effort with only positive vibes. My postpartum nurse commented that she had taken a class with Michele and was excited to see her with me in delivery and the midwives all gave a woop when I mentioned I was working with them during my prenatal visits. They host monthly workshops for their families and we learned far more during these than in any other class we took to prepare. My husband, supportive of using a doula when I suggested it around week 20 of my pregnancy, was crazy over the top enthusiastic raving mad person in favor of using a doula after experiencing the support of District Doulas prior to, during, and post delivery. I cannot recommend these two ladies highly enough. If you're pregnant, talk to them. read more

5 stars doesn't do these fine ladies justice! After I found out I was pregnant I started researching birthing, I watched a few videos, read some articles and decided to try for a non-medicated birth. A co-worker used District Doulas (with an epidural) and recommended them so after 1 meet and greet I knew it would be a good match. I had my son in 2015 with the help of Candice and my daughter with Michele in 2017... both experiences were FANTASTIC. I 100% attribute their presence to my ability to do this naturally. I birthed both children with the GW midwives and want to high five everyone involved. Candice and Michele are clearly well respected there and worked so seamlessly with the staff that I felt so relaxed. Birthing with a "team" is how it should be! Everyone has their own experiences however my births went exactly as I had hoped and I don't take their presence for granted at all! read more

I was well into the third trimester when we made the decision to seek out a doula for delivery of our second child. I'd been happy with OB care and would be delivering at INOVA Fairfax, which has a notoriously high c-section and not always natural birth friendly reputation. My first was born with an epidural, and though the end result was fine, I wasn't happy with how everything went down. Michele reached out quickly after my inquiry and we had a great first meeting. She immediately put us at ease with her seasoned experience and easy manner. We especially appreciate her well-founded directness as it relates to both the birth process and hospital care and protocols. Our in-home visit pre-delivery gave us full confidence in the process and we felt well-prepared through a birth plan and questions or statements on hand for when it came time to deliver that our natural hospital birth would be as great as it could be (of course pending what the universe had in store). The birth itself was quite quick. I called Michele in the early morning hours and labor progressed rapidly. She arrived quickly and immediately provided a calming (and organizing) presence as my husband wrangled our 2 year old and we readied to leave for the hospital. I was fully dilated upon arrival, and my water broke in triage, so it was entirely possible that I was to deliver there, but we made it up to a delivery room where, again, Michele helped guide me into a more comfortable birthing position and also helped focus my energy for pushing. Just over 30 minutes from arrival at Fairfax, my little girl was safely in my arms and we were over the moon. Michele stayed with us while the doctors and nurses tended to me and my daughter, pointing out what was happening where I was oblivious or unable to directly observe. And even longer before I was transferred up to my recovery room she made sure we able to nurse and answered any other questions that came up related to after-care. We didn't get to take advantage of the birth classes given our lateness to the process and our daughter's early arrival, but that along with the online resources are tremendous assets. They were super responsive and respectful of personal preferences and dynamics throughout the pregnancy and after birth. I highly recommend District Doulas for your upcoming birth - whether it is your first, second or even fifth! read more

We used District Doulas for the births of both of our sons and I can't speak highly enough of their skills and assistance. I had two vastly different births, one long and induced and one short and natural. With each labor, they gave advice and support that was dead on. I don't think most first time parents realize how little support you get during the laboring process from the Doctors and nurses. With both of my sons 99.9% of the input and assistance came from our doulas. They did everything from offering advice on positions to help labor progress to techniques to alleviate pain and knowing when its time to page the Doctors and nurses. I'll be back if we ever have a third child. read more

I cannot say enough good things about Candice and Michele. Both were so supportive during my pregnancy and I really took away a ton of benefit from their workshops prior to giving birth. When we interviewed doulas, my husband felt most comfortable with them, which was so important for us when making our decision. For our actual birth, Michele stayed with us for the duration of my labor in the hospital. She was wonderful and so incredibly helpful. I was having a hard time getting my baby out while pushing and Michele was able to recommend another method that I credit with actually bringing my baby into the world. Without her assistance, I'm not sure that I would have been able to deliver without some other form of intervention (forceps, etc). She was amazing and just what we needed. We will definitely use a doula again in future and I only hope Candice and Michele will still be available for our next baby. Of note, we delivered at a military hospital, and Michele was wonderful. She knew some of our nurses, she advocated for me when things weren't going the way I planned, and she was just generally so wonderful in the delivery room and provided such amazing support. My only constructive feedback for Candice and Michele is that I used email a lot to try and communicate with them. In future, I think I would recommend texting as email didn't seem to be the best way to reach out to them. Having a doula was the best decision I made during my pregnancy and Candice and Michele were perfect. I can't say enough good things about them. read more

Loved District Doulas! They were SO supportive of my husband and I throughout the whole process. We signed on with them late in my pregnancy but wish I had found them earlier to take advantage of their free monthly workshops! I was looking for a business that had more than one doula so there was always a backup, but not some bigger company without heart. I also wasn't into childbirth and wasn't looking forward to it at all, so I wanted ladies who would support me but not be trying to steer me into hippy, orgasmic birth land (no offense, love you hippies just don't want to be one!). DD was a perfect balance. I also was giving birth in a hospital so wanted a group that had a good working relationship with doctors. I couldn't be happier with my choice! I just loved the ladies, they took good care of us, and they cared on such a personal level that it still makes me want to cry just thinking about how awesome they were. I would recommend to ANY mom giving birth in a hospital (or otherwise) to have a doula. IF we decide to have another child, will be contacting them again: their support was literally priceless. read more

A friend of mine recommended me to hire birth doula and it was one of the best advices I ever got. Michele and Candice are very dedicated and caring people. They patiently answered my questions, explained me how to take care of me and my baby and of course my doula's support during the labor was priceless. So next time I plan to hire them as well read more

We had a great experience with District Doulas for our second child. I love the optional three seminars they offer to parents. Even as second time parents, it was a great way for us to find time and space to "think" about this pregnancy. More importantly, it served as a way to get to know these women who are by your side at one of the most important moments in your life. I appreciated that in those final days (weeks?) they were quick to respond via text when it seemed that things might be happening. Once it was for real, they were quick to to join us and help us to meet our baby boy. read more

Michele was our Doula for our first and second. We could not have asked for a more calm, collected and smart presence in the room. She never tired when we were exhausted and knew exactly what to do and what to stay the entire labor for both babies. If we were having a third, we would need to have Michele in the room with us again. read more

I can't imagine attempting a VBAC or going through labor without the support of these two women. These ladies were amazing. Our providers at the hospital loved them, they came highly recommended from multiple friends and providers, and they proved themselves in the seamless support they provided during my pregnancy and labor. I had a very different experience in my first pregnancy with a different doula and wasn't sure what to expect and questioned whether it was worth it to hire a doula considering my high risk for a C-section. Looking back, I know we made the best decision possible. They helped my husband by supporting him and showing him the best ways to physically support me during labor. They physically and emotionally supported me throughout every contraction. I was attempting a VBAC and I strongly believe they are the reason that I reached that goal. They empowered us and supported every choice and decision we made along the way. I never felt silly for asking them questions and they were always prompt and responsive. They helped both my husband and I reach our goals and made our birth experience extremely memorable and special. We really loved these ladies and would recommend them to anyone getting ready to deliver. read more

I could not have done a natural birth without District Doulas. Being my first pregnancy, I really didn't know what to expect. From the start, Candice and Michelle were willing and open to answer any questions and also had a convenient shared phone number and were quick to respond to any concerns, day or night. Another key reason I choose them over other providers was that they come to your home to help you during active labor. In my case, this was needed as my labor progressed quickly and we all decided to meet at the hospital with Candice arriving at the same time I did. This was impressive because I was 11 days past my due date but they were able to cover for each other - another client of theirs was in labor at the same time - and I ended up with Michelle on my arrival. Michelle was so patient with me and always asked the right questions. She was my advocate and was willing to brainstorm when things got tough or when I need more support. She was always touching base with my midwife and the nurse on duty. My labor was 24 hours in the hospital and she kept up the pace and was by my side every step of the way even when I was doubting myself. All to say, you are in the best hands possible. One of the nurses at GW even said that of all the doulas they work with, Candice and Michelle are the best. In addition to visiting my home during pregnancy so that we could discuss how I envisioned my birth plan, the doulas provided invaluable support postpartum. I had many questions about breastfeeding and numerous other topics and Michelle was patient, responsive, and kind. Included in my package was a postpartum visit and it provided incredible support and reassurance. Do yourself a favor and let District Doulas be your support system. read more

I would highly recommend Michele and Candice. We hired them pretty late in my pregnancy but it was still worth it! we were able to attend one of their classes which was about releasing fear. Being my first pregnancy, it was awesome to be able to talk about everything that was on our minds not only with the doulas but also with other pregnant women and spouses. Michele ended up being our doula the day of our birth. She was awesome! My husband's back went out the day before so I don't know what we would have done without her! Other than picking up the slack from my husband, she was extremely supportive in other ways too. She talked us through every step of the way. When my birth plan went out the window she encouraged me and talked me through all of our decisions. She was also a great help with talking to the nurses and doctor without over stepping. At my first doctor's appointment after delivery, my OBGYN commented that she really liked Michele. After my delivery Michele was great! I had a difficult time breastfeeding. She was available for all my questions and helped as much as she could. she also referred me to a great lactation consultant. Overall I would highly recommend Michele! read more

My first clue that District Doulas was a good decision was when I would tell my healthcare providers (the midwives at GW) whom I had hired for my doula, and they were enthusiastic and encouraging about my choice. I ended up having the natural birth that I was hoping for, mostly because my doula Michele was supportive and empowering without pushing me farther than I could go. She helped me think through a lot of decisions before I had to make them so that I could really focus on the birth in the moment. Postpartum, Michele played an integral role in my recovery, checking in with me frequently, being available to bounce questions off of, and even providing breastfeeding support. I am still in touch with her--love sending her photos of my little one. I could not be more grateful that I decided to spend the money to have a doula, and could not recommend a better choice than Michele and District Doulas. read more

When I got pregnant I decided I wanted a doula as they have been shown to help reduce labor pain/duration and C-section rates, and a friend recommended District Doulas as she'd used them a couple of years ago. We signed up and had a great experience. Michele and Candice are both awesome people who made us feel comfortable right away. They held monthly workshops on the birth process/baby care which helped us get ready for birthing. When the time came I was in early labor for 36 hours and was in call/text contact with Michele numerous times. She recommended some exercises when things stalled which brought labor into full swing. Without that I'm not sure things ever would have progressed. When things picked up she came to our house to help and then the hospital. Her calm reassurance about what was normal allowed me to stay home for much longer than I could have managed on my own and I had a positive medication free birth at the hospital after 48 hours of manageable labor and only 3 hours in the hospital!. She then helped our baby latch right away and helped us get settled in our recovery room (and took some pictures I will always cherish). She was also really helpful with a lot of baby care/breastfeeding questions afterwards. They were worth every penny and we'll be using them again for baby #2 :) read more