Midwifery

Midwives of MedStar Washington Hospital Center is an independent midwifery practice dedicated to providing well-woman services, from routine gynecological care to reproductive health care, including availability of midwifery management of labor and delivery for our patients. Our midwives are trained professionals, who expertly combine the therapeutic value of the human presence, skillful communication and appropriate use of interventions and technology to promote health and healing.

Midwives are an integral part of the Women’s and Infants’ Services’ team of health care professionals. They provide patients with the highest quality midwifery care through excellence in practice, education and research.

Philosophy

Our model of health care is founded on the following principles:

• Every woman has the right to make an informed choice and to actively participate in all aspects of her health care
• Self-determination
• Shared decision-making
• Respect for cultural diversity

Midwifery care honors the normalcy of women’s lifecycle events, by providing physical care, emotional and social support, and health education to women and their families.

Services

Our midwives offer well-woman services across the age spectrum, through the outpatient health center, the adolescent center and private offices. Midwives from the Family Health and Birth Center also attend births at our facility.

At the Hospital Center, our midwives provide:

• Continuous availability, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for management of labor and delivery
• Care during pregnancy, labor, birth and the postpartum period
• Routine gynecologic care
• Family planning services

Midwives are experts in women’s reproductive and sexual health care needs in the absence of pathological or medical complications. If complications arise during the course of care, midwives consult with one of the staff obstetricians to determine the appropriate course of action.

Along with their clinical practices, our midwives are active in the education of midwifery and medical students, as well as residents. They also participate in clinical and behavioral research focused on maternal and child health outcomes.

To learn more about midwifery services at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, call 202-877-2303.

Midwives of MedStar
MedStar Washington Hospital Center
Physicians Office Building
106 Irving Street, N.W., Suite 108 South
Washington, DC 20010

We also see patients at our newest location, MedStar Women’s Specialty Center at Chevy Chase, Md.

Midwifery in the News

June 15, 2012- The New York Times published an article on The Midwife as Status Symbol. Read the article.