District of Columbia

Washington, DC offers a comprehensive network of healthcare professionals and support services to assist families throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. These resources include:

Perinatal Providers in Washington DC

Physicians (Obstetricians and Family Medicine Doctors)
Obstetricians (OB-GYNs) and family medicine physicians in Washington, DC manage both routine and high-risk pregnancies. They practice in major medical centers, community hospitals, and outpatient clinics across the District, providing prenatal care, labor and delivery services, surgical obstetrics, and postpartum follow-up.

Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs)
Certified Nurse-Midwives in Washington, DC provide patient-centered, evidence-based maternity care, often emphasizing low-intervention and holistic birth experiences. CNMs practice in hospitals, birth centers, and community health clinics, offering prenatal care, labor and delivery support, postpartum care, and well-woman services.
Washington, DC licenses midwives through the DC Department of Health.

Physician
Physician Assistants (PAs)
Physician assistants support obstetricians and family medicine doctors by providing prenatal visits, routine screenings, patient education, and postpartum care. PAs play an important role in increasing access to maternity services, particularly in community health centers serving underserved populations.

Other Perinatal Professionals
Doulas
Doulas in Washington, DC provide non-medical emotional, physical, and informational support during pregnancy, labor, birth, and the postpartum period. Washington, DC supports doula care through community-based organizations and Medicaid-covered doula services, aimed at improving birth outcomes and addressing maternal health inequities. Learn more

Home Visitors
Washington, DC offers evidence-based home visiting services that support parents from pregnancy through early childhood. Programs such as Nurse-Family Partnership, Parents as Teachers, and Healthy Families America provide guidance on infant care, breastfeeding, safe sleep, maternal health, and early child development, particularly for first-time parents and families facing social or economic challenges.

Behavioral Health Professionals
Behavioral health specialists in Washington, DC address maternal mental health needs, including postpartum depression, anxiety, and trauma-related conditions. Services are provided through hospitals, community clinics, and integrated care models supported by DC Health, ensuring screening, referral, and treatment throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Lactation Consultants
International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) and trained breastfeeding counselors assist families with breastfeeding education, latch support, milk supply challenges, and pumping guidance. Lactation services are available through hospitals, WIC clinics, pediatric offices, and community health organizations across the District.

Urban and Underserved Community Support
Washington, DC strengthens maternal and infant health through community-based healthcare delivery and public health partnerships. DC Health collaborates with hospitals, federally qualified health centers, and nonprofit organizations to address health inequities, improve birth outcomes, and expand access to culturally competent perinatal care in underserved neighborhoods.

With this broad range of providers and support services, families across Washington, DC can access comprehensive care from specialized medical professionals to community-based and home-centered support; helping ensure a healthy and supported start for both parents and babies.