Washington Medstar Hospital is a nationally recognized research hospital and according to their website the "Women's and Infants' Services is dedicated to advancing health care through ongoing participation in the latest research on female health issues." They offer many pregnancy and parenting related classes. In addition to providing routine care for uncomplicated pregnancies, Washington Hospital Center has several departments focusing on high-risk pregnancies, care for pregnant moms and babies with congenital health problems, specialized testing, teen pregnancy, cancer screening and treatment, and general women's wellness.

A cornerstone of their women's health department is their midwife program offering a "low tech, high touch" birth experience. The midwifery practice recently introduced nitrous oxide as a non-invasive pain relief option. They encourage movement, the use of birthing balls, and showers with intermittent monitoring. They also facilitate breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth.

Washington Hospital Center has a Level 3B full-service critical care nursery. There are eight board certified neonatologists on service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Also on staff are RN clinical care facilitators who bridge communication between parents and physicians

Medstar Washington Hospital Center is located at 110 Irving St NW, Washington DC 20010.

Park in the Hospital Parking garage and take the N elevator to Labor & Delivery on Level 5. The hospital parking garage is open 24/7 with a maximum daily rate of $15. Valet parking is available at the main entrance to the hospital from 7am-6pm Monday through Friday. The maximum daily rate is $15

Labor & Delivery is located on the 5th Floor.

After hours: Enter through the ER

Visiting hours are 11am-9pm Generally children under 14 are not permitted to visit, but maternity patients can arrange for siblings to visit mom and baby on a case-by-case basis.

The Center Cafe is located on the ground of the main hospital level. It is open every day from 6:15 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Panera Bread is located in the Physicians Office Building

• Nitrous Oxide available for pain relief (midwife group)
• Intermittent wireless monitoring
• Well-baby care is provided in two nurseries with emphasis on rooming-in and family-centered care
• Birth pools allowed with approval, patient must provide
• Trial of Labor after Cesarean & VBAC with collaborative care between midwives and OB's.
• Washington Hospital Center is very welcoming to birth doulas

Placenta Removal-
Meet the Midwives: second Wednesday of every month in the Medical Affairs conference room 121 A/B at 6 p.m
Wireless monitoring available
Discharge-
24-48 hours after a normal vaginal delivery with no complications.
72 hours after a cesarean birth
Large selection of prenatal, postpartum, and childbirth classes