Loudoun Community Midwives

I switched to Loudoun Community Midwives mid pregnancy. I wanted to have a natural process for my pregnancy and my OB/​Midwifes from the Virginia Hospital wasn’t what I was expecting. Every time that I asked a questions, they didn’t give me options or the follow medical process without telling me why they were doing it, so I wasn’t feeling that I have the pregnancy that I wanted to have.
My neighbor (she was a delivery nurse) recommended to meet the Loudoun Community Midwives. I’m so lucky that I decide to go with them. All the midwifes are really nice and they gave me options. The first thing that they tell you is that is your decision to perform or not everything they suggest you.
I highly recommend this practice and will forever be grateful for the care provided to me by the whole team, but especially the compassionate care from Heather, she was really nice with me and positive in my pregnancy.
Finally, the whole process with them was so much cheaper than the Virginia Hospital that I couldn’t believe it. With the Virginia Hospital I received a lot of bills with bad information, and I had to call to my insurance, check what was wrong and call after that to the hospital to fix the problem. I’m waiting to see the billing process of the Loudon Hospital for the delivery.
I’m 9 months pregnant and waiting to have the best experience at the Natural Center.

This is how every birth experience should be!
I switched to Loudoun Community Midwives mid pregnancy after feeling disheartened by my initial OBGYN experience with another provider. I was looking for the best of both worlds — a low intervention birth (if possible) in a hospital setting, and I wanted to be able to ask questions, and make informed decisions. My previous provider seemed very defensive when I questioned anything and talked down to me when I even suggested something besides typical labor and delivery protocol!
I was impressed with the Loudoun Community Midwives team from the very beginning. They spent thirty minutes on the phone with me prior to accepting me as a patient mid pregnancy to make sure we would be a good fit. They answered my questions and also set expectations for me of what they could and could not do.
The midwives were by my side at every appointment, trusting me to make the best decisions for my pregnancy while providing me with evidence-​based information. Even when I changed my mind about certain things, I did not feel judged for my choices. (decided not to do The Natural Birth Center and instead chose The Birthing Inn with possibly an epidural).
The biggest compliment that I give the practice is that the team believed me when I called late in my pregnancy to tell them that I felt that something was wrong. I was in excruciating pain. Pain level can be difficult for a provider to assess because my pain level 3 could be another person’s pain level 10, you know? Also, I felt that maybe I wouldn’t be heard because I’m a first time Mom, and maybe it would be assumed that I’m «looking for labor». Not the case — after listening to me, the midwives met to discuss my case and decided to do additional testing and observation. I ended up being induced, which was a mutual decision made with my health and my baby’s health as the primary priority. (Forget about the birth plan!!) I felt heard and believed — which is all I wanted from the start.
I highly recommend this practice and will forever be grateful for the care provided to me by the whole team, but especially the compassionate care from Paula (my delivery coach and cheerleader), Sarah (my middle-​of-​the-​night go-​to), and Julie (my other middle-​of-​the-​night go-​to).
Thank you all so much for what you do!

I just moved from DC to the suburbs of VA. Moving was stressful but even more so was trying to find a new mid-​wife practice. After reading the reviews online I was extremely excited about Loudon Community Midwives. I was with a mid-​wife practice in DC and relieved finding one in VA with a similar model. I went to their website and filled out the appointment request form with the indication that I would receive a response within 2 business days. I even did their candidate checklist to ensure I met the criteria which I did!
After a week of not hearing anything I called into the office. The receptionist was very friendly and scheduled a phone consultation with one of the midwives to ensure I was eligible for their practice. The consultation with Heather went great and she confirmed my eligibility for their care. At the conclusion of the call she stated she would email the front desk that I was able to make an appt (and could do so prior to receiving my complete medical records) and scheduled my 20 week ultrasound by the next morning.
Excited that I found a new practice and where I would be delivering I cancelled my appointments with my other practice and cancelled my 20 week ultrasound. I called in today (3 days after my phone call with Heather). I called in today and was told by the receptionist that I was now not a candidate for their practice because my BMI is 1 point over what their threshold is. On the call I provided my height and weight. If they have such a hard cut off on BMI why would the midwife not have verified what it was on the phone or let me know if could be an issue at that time. BMI is not hard to calculate and I could have provided it to them if they had asked if they had such a hard cut off (perhaps they should put it on their checklist as well) and could have saved both of us a lot of time and frustration!
Loudon Community Midwives should not commit to accepting patients if they are going to change their minds later, if there is another step in the approval process they should make that clear on the phone call. At a minimum a phone call that the decision had been reversed would have been the professional thing to do. The receptionist was not understanding, sympathetic of the situation or the position I am now in.
It is really disappointing that a mid-​wife practice would put a pregnant women, who is already stressed through this. At least, I found out how this practice handles situations and lack of communication prior to becoming a patient.

LCM will spoil you as a patient. You will never look at another Dr’s office the same after being a patient here. When pregnant with my first son, I was with another OB, whom I did not like at all and switched to LCM. Great birth experience — I didn’t have any complications and I did have an epidural (although my original birth plan was unmedicated, but you know how that goes). With my second son, I moved to Woodbridge and switched from LCM because of the drive. Nope, the new OB I did not like as much as LCM, so yes, I switched back to them. Another great birth experience — again, no complications but this one was unmedicated, and yes I drove an hour in the worst part of labor just to deliver with the midwives at Loudoun Hospital and I’d do it again. Here’s what I like about them: VERY friendly office staff who do their best to accommodate your schedule; ALWAYS seen on time; knowledgeable medical staff who are not judgmental and care about what you want in your labor and delivery; nurses who actually return your calls in a timely matter and are willing to do research to answer your questions; and a medical staff that takes the time to get to know you. The other OBs I went to made me feel like I was in an OB puppy mill where I was an inconvenience to their bottom line — get you in, get you out, pay your balance, what’s your name again?
Finally, the midwives are great coaches during labor. I felt totally supported and they boosted my confidence to get through it, even when I thought I couldn’t do it (during my unmedicated birth).
Love love love LCM. Can’t recommend them enough.

I transferred to this practice when I was about 32 weeks along. I was a little nervous about transferring so late into my pregnancy, but it turned out to be THE BEST decision EVER! I went into labor 3 days before my due date. Margie delivered our baby and as far as I am concerned walks on water! SHE WAS AMAZING!!! I wanted to have an unmedicated birth, but honestly was not sure if I could do it. Margie and the staff at the Birthing Inn were absolutely amazing. With my first baby I had a 4^th degree tear. This time around with the midwives, I had NO TEARING WHATSOEVER and my baby was much bigger the second time around. My birth experience was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I gave birth to my baby completely unmedicated with support from Margie, my birthing Doula, my husband and the Birthing Center staff. I cannot say enough good things, and do not regret at all my decision to transfer.

Transferring to LCM in the middle of my pregnancy was the best decision I made. My birth was exactly as I wanted it to be and I felt completely supported during my entire pregnancy.

I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to review LCM. My son is now nine months old! I just ran into them at the INOVA Loudoun Hospital open house tonight and the feeling that filled my heart when I saw the midwife (Julie) that delivered my son made me know I had to write a review.
From my first visit, before I was even pregnant, I knew the midwife approach was going to be right for me. I had an IUD and wanted it removed so that my husband and I could try to conceive. It was just the kind of care I was looking for. I would encourage every woman to consider using midwives for their feminine health as well as for pregnancy and delivery care. These ladies care about you and they care about your baby.
I wanted as low-​intervention a pregnancy and delivery as they would let me, and they were on board all the way. All the tests that were required, I felt they explained really well. I never felt like a service was being done just to bill insurance. As for the delivery: Julie came into the room part way through my labor and actually apologized for not being there sooner because another patient was delivering! It was one of the busiest nights at the Birthing Inn that month and she still had all kinds of energy and attention just for me. She matched my mood and tone and was so encouraging, rubbing my back and helping me in and out of the soaking tub. Not one word was brought up about pain medication (I had chosen a natural birth), giving me even more confidence to do it how I wanted. I don’t even know Julie very well, but because of what she helped me accomplish makes me have this completely emotional connection with her.
Modern medicine is nothing short of a miracle, and I am so glad for all the life-​saving advancements that have been made, but please, do some research and consider these midwives and a low-​intervention experience. To LCM: Thank you ladies, you’re all amazing.

After having two complicated, long and highly medicalized births I knew I wanted more control over my third pregnancy and birth. Going to this midwife group was the best decision I could have made. Even though it was a long commute to every visit and to the delivering hospital, it was absolutely worth it. I felt totally in control and respected, received excellent guidance and care, and problems were swiftly and adeptly addressed when they arose. Despite an induction (which I chose) I was still able to have an unmedicated birth, and was allowed every option for birthing the way I chose. These ladies are top notch!

My daughter was born 4 months ago so this is long overdue!
I absolutely LOVE the midwives. I had an amazing and beautiful birth experience and don’t regret anything at all. I had an OBGYN first and at my 8 WEEK appointment she told me I should consider a c-​section since I was «very narrow.» That turned me off completely and I knew immediately I had to make the switch. I did some research and everyone loved the midwives so I made the switch and have never looked back!
I went into labor on my own (3 AM) and when my contractions were very painful and about 1 or 2 minutes apart we went to The Birthing Inn and found out I was already 4 cm dilated. Heather was on call when I went into labor and I couldn’t have asked for anyone better to be there for me. She listened to everything I wanted and did everything in her power to accommodate my birth plan. She used perineal massage to minimize the tearing and did everything she could to ensure I wouldn’t need a c-​section. They even let me feel my daughters head when she had crowned and that gave me the final motivation to push! I’m SO glad that I didn’t have a super rigid birth plan because things happen and you have to go with the flow (e.g. I was hoping I wouldn’t need an epidural but I definitely needed one and glad I got one)! She was super nice and gave me so much encouragement (I was terrified of the pushing part) and I pushed my daughter out in 25 minutes! if we have another baby I MUST have Heather be on call again!

We love the midwives. I delivered my daughter with them. Although I had some complications-​my daughter was a month early and I was strep B positive, they were amazing and supportive and I was able to deliver her without an epidural and with a natural childbirth. They are amazing! The only downside is the are LOVED by everyone, so later appointments in the day go fast. Book early!

All the ladies here are amazing. I am so happy I went with them. At first it was different not going with an dr. I had little problems during my pregnancy and they handled me with care, patience and compassion. They also consulted a dr to make sure we were going in the right direction. I highly recommend all the ladies and can’t wait to have them for my next baby.

Now that my son is 7 months old, it is probably about time I gave my promised update for LCM! This is basically my birth story, so if that’s TMI, then now’s your chance to move along ;-).
My biggest fear was probably the distance. I live in Centreville and had to drive to Landsdowne for each appointment and the actual delivery (thankfully that was 5:30am, so traffic was non existent, LOL!). Generally it’s about a 30 minute drive for me. But, given my experience with the midwives here, I would definitely do this all over again!
After I’d been in active labor for a while, my husband called the midwives on the after hours hotline (around 4:30am). The midwife on duty returned the call within 5 minutes and told us to come straight to the hospital.
Once I got to the hospital (5:30am), I was taken to the L&D triage room and found out I was 8 cm! I had to switch into the gown and lay down on the bed for like an hour! Maybe it was less than that, but it sure felt like that. For some reason INOVA Loudoun didn’t have my precheckin stuff, so I had to go through all of that all over again :-/​.
Finally (6:30am) the nurse took me to Labor & Delivery where I was met by one of the midwives (Wendy). By this point I was about 9 cm dilated, so she continued to encourage me to labor in whatever position I wanted to do, praising me for how things were currently going. At some point I was asked if I wanted the drip, but I declined. I did allow them to put the probe thing in my hand though, just in case. (Since I didn’t need it though, I think I will decline that one next time too). It didn’t take long before my water broke on its own (and… i started throwing up everywhere :(). Wendy announced that baby would be here within about 5 minutes and was asking me what position I wanted to be in. I became a bit delirious and told them to decide, LOL. Well sure enough, it wasn’t too much after that when I got to meet my little baby boy (7:15am!). Wendy used warm wet towels «down there» which helped to ease some of the (excruciating) pain as I was pushing. Once he was almost out, she even suggested I pull him out, but I couldn’t bring myself to do that! I don’t know why — maybe I just wasn’t expecting that as an option! Oh, and even though Wendy’s shift ended at 7am, she told the next midwife on duty that she would see me through to the end of my delivery since I was almost there. Just before she left, I think she gave me a hug and told me what a great job I’d done.
Since my baby’s cord tore during delivery and he was a little blue, they wanted to send him to the neonatal ward for a checkup, after he’d had some skin to skin time. Wendy suggested nursing him first before sending him, but after she left, the nurses took him to neonatal before I had had a chance to nurse him. I was rather peeved at this, but thankfully when he came back (totally fine) he nursed instantly like a champ!
When I got into my room, I was happy to see that the hospital gift was not a formula bag, but in fact a bag full of nursing supplies!
For some reason, there were no lactation consultants working on the day I delivered (something about budget cuts??) but the nurses were helpful in getting him to latch on the side he was struggling with. The following day, once I did see a lactation consultant, she was able to prescribe some $ 100 nipple cream to repair some damage my son was quickly creating on one side! She also suggested I use a nipple shield (thankfully *this* time, I had brought one to the hospital with me, knowing they never have them in stock there).
On the day I checked out, I was met by one of the midwives and she gave me a huge hug and said some encouraging words. I just love how people friendly the midwives are — I never had that treatment with my OB!
I would give the midwives a ⁵⁄₅. I’d give the hospital a 4/​5, though I think it is probably the nicest one in the Fairfax/​Loudoun area.

For midwives they are excellent, but if anything that goes wrong with your pregnancy they are not really equipped to handle anything beyond the norm. Had I a chance to do it again, I would probably go with an obgyn and a doula. Everyone is very nice and the office is pleasant and super clean, but they don’t know answers to many more difficult questions I had. I also asked for leave of absence paperwork – so I could take a leave from work 2 weeks before my due date because my son had to go through surgery right after birth and was to be born out of state – they basically wrote that I was fine working up until my due date which was completely not the point of me filing the paperwork in the first place to get out of work 2 weeks early.

I cannot say enough good things about this office! From the staff that answer the phones, the nurses, the lab techs, the midwives, everyone is just wonderful! Every single time I call — be if for a silly question, or something frustrating like changing my name or my insurance information, EVERYONE who answers that phone is so polite and nice. I have never had a office where it was ALWAYS a pleasure to call.
I only wish they had later appointments or weekend appointments, but that’s simply because I drive to them from Woodbridge, VA. I go out of my way just to go to this office because I have found that their practice is perfect and they allow me to have choices that other regular MDs would not, and did I mention their entire staff is unbelievably nice! Our little boy is due April 21^st and I know that we are in good hands with this practice!

I transfered to LCM as a patient 30 weeks into my first pregnancy, after becoming increasingly frustrated with the OB/​GYN practice I had been. My appointments there were double booked, the medical advice was outdated, and I felt more like a shipping container than a person. LCM was a welcome change from that.
I was attracted to the practice because of its nearly single digit c-​section rate. I get that c-​sections are often necessary, but I appreciated the effort made by LCM to mitigate the likelihood of needing one.
The entire staff of LCM takes great pride in their job, and they do it well. When I called as a potential new patient, a nurse took the time to have a 30+mn conversation with me about my concerns and expectations. She was very kind and informative, but equally realistic. She — and everyone I interacted with at LCM — took the time to listen to my priorities. No guarantees were made, but it was nice to know we were starting on the same page, with the same goal.
Appointments at LCM were not always on time — I mean, it ~is~ a medical office, but they were never ridiculously late. I always felt welcome to raise any concerns and ask any questions; I never felt rushed.
Unfortunately, I did end up having complications with my pregnancy during the last few weeks. However, I was in very good hands. They kept very close tabs on me and took precautions to allow me to remain pregnant as long as possible. Although I didn’t get the intervention-​free birth I wanted, neither did I end up feeling that I received ‘unnecessary’ medical procedures. I also appreciated that the midwives were empathetic to my disappointment that I didn’t get to go into labor. I really believe that with any other practice, I would have had a c-​section instead of an incredibly successful induction. At the same time, they were conservative and realistic. Just because a non-​intervention birth was our priority, didn’t mean they were going to jeopardize either my health or that of my child. During my induction, the midwife on call was fantastic — and fantastically available. I am so confident I made the right choice with LCM and they will deliver any future babies I have.
I know people can hear the word ‘midwives’ and think … granola? Pachouli? Earth mother? I admit, I thought I“d be more comfortable with a ‘traditional’ MD. But I was wrong. LCM is not all organic granola and Birkenstocks — although you can find that — and they are 100% top notch professionals. You cannot get better prenatal and delivery care at Loudoun Inova.

I’m writing this review as a husband and a new father. I’ll admit I wasn’t quite sure about the whole midwife thing versus a regular gynecologist at first. Boy was I wrong… These ladies are awesome! I’m going to go out on a limb and say they even know more about birthing babies than most doctors. The midwife that delivered our baby, Margie, was like a pro HOF’er (which i’m sure all would have been). She was in complete control and just p’wned it all day. Not to mention, the whole problem of wondering whether your doctor will actually show up for the birth, won’t be a problem with the midwives. They ensure that WON’T happen! If one midwife can’t make it, then you can bet your butt that there will be another one will be pinch hitting for you. I fully recommend Loudoun Community Midwives over any Gynecologist in the area!

The first time I got pregnant, I went to a regular OB practice in Reston which was absolutely terrible. (Any time a doctor asks when you’d like to schedule your C-​section, I get worried). When I had a miscarriage, they informed me over the phone while I was in a public emergency room, instead of having the decency to call me in to their office.
Suffice to say, I was pretty disillusioned when I got to the midwives. But they immediately set me at ease. They explained that I’d be delivering in a hospital and that they were committed to giving me the best birth experience possible.
They were very supportive of different ways of pain management. For example, they were totally behind my decision to have a doula with me, were happy when I used a birthing ball, and supported my desires to have an all-​natural birth without making me feel strange (the way the previous practice had.) With my second child, Wendy, one of the midwives, offered me a birthing stool to deliver, which was immensely more comfortable than delivering on a bed.
At the same time, the midwives miss nothing. They kept a very close eye on me when I got gestational diabetes with my second child. And when I had unusual itching in my hands and feet, they quickly did a test and ascertained that I had a condition called cholestasis, which would require them to induce my second labor at 37 weeks. They got me the stress tests I needed, reassured me that my baby was doing fine and shared their concerns openly and intelligently. When it was time to deliver, they worked with my desire to induce naturally.
If you want a wonderful birth experience, you don’t have to look anywhere else. The midwives will do a great job. I give them my highest recommendation!

I am not a patient here — but this morning I called and spoke to someone who is quite possibly the nicest, knowledgeable, and compassionate woman in the world. Even knowing I’m not a patient, she took the time to answer all of my questions for me in full detail and gave me the support I needed to make a difficult decision. Unfortunately, I am not a candidate for midwifery, but if I was (and if you are) I would highly recommend this group just based on this morning’s experience.

All the staff here are fantastic – receptionists, nurses, midwives. How many people can say they look forward to their annual exam? I do! Can’t wait to go in and catch up with the midwife that delivered my daughter.
Got great care during my pregnancy and had the birth experience I wanted. They are great for those seeking natural, unmedicated births and yet were also completely supportive of my choice to get an epidural.
Have never had a single problem with the practice or any problems with insurance. Not sure I can say this with any other health care office I’ve ever visited.
Highly, highly recommend.

Being pregnant for the first time, I wasn’t 100% sure of how I wanted my birth experience to be until I found LCM. I transferred from an OB practice in Arlington to the Midwives in Loudoun at 34 weeks pregnant and just by talking to the receptionist, Cindy, on the phone I knew I was making the right decision. I think she could sense the urgency in my voice that I was afraid my wishes would be ignored with an MD and I wanted a team of people familiar with natural childbirth. After receiving my records from the OB practice on the same day as their cutoff for transfers (see their super informative website), she set me up with appointments for the next 7 weeks and had them printed for me by the time I arrived at my consultation. It was arranged so I could meet all of the midwives by my due date.
All of the midwives are intelligent, helpful and caring individuals. I would have been happy with any of them in the delivery room, and I was fortunate to have Wendy Dotson to guide me through the labor. I cannot say enough wonderful things about my experience at this practice, from answering questions to their bedside manner and taking the necessary steps to schedule induction with INOVA Birthing Inn if I went 1.5 weeks past my due date. There was even a birthday wish list in place of my birth plan so the staff would be aware of my preferences. Genius!
I was also pleased with their answering service during off hours. The midwife would return my call within 15 minutes and never made me feel guilty about my questions or concerns in the middle of the night. I would recommend them to everyone I know who is experiencing a normal pregnancy without complications. It also helped me to know that there were MDs on call if anything serious was to arise in the hospital, but that I could have my birth in a setting with minimal interruptions. My only complaint would be the traffic I had to forge through to get there from Falls Church!