Home Birth and Doula Support in Virginia, DC, & Maryland

Ryann Bernard, JD, LM, DEM, CPM has attended births in the DC-area since 2012 and has been to over 1000 births. She provides DC-area parents with everything they need to have a safe, educated, and empowered birth experience. Del Ray Midwifery is not a doula agency or big box birth center—it is intimate, one-on-one support tailored to the unique desires of each family. The care you receive at Del Ray Midwifery is rooted in bodily autonomy, current evidence, and non-judgmental support.

Based in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, Ryann graduated from Birthwise Midwifery School (a MEAC-accredited program) and became a Certified Professional Midwife in 2017. She is a certified and licensed midwife and attends home births in Northern Virginia, including Alexandria, Arlington, Springfield, Woodbridge, as well as in Maryland and DC. In addition, Ryann offers birth doula support throughout DC, Virginia, and Maryland.

In her free time, Ryann enjoys spending time with friends, pilates, skiing, and going to the theater—often with her kids.

Investing in Home Birth Midwifery

Ryann Bernard, CPM, offers expert prenatal care (including labs and ultrasounds if you choose), home birth, and postpartum care. The midwifery model of care is based on client choice and autonomy, shared decision making, and relies on current evidence. Ryann attends home births in DC, Maryland, Alexandria, Arlington, Woodbridge, and all of Northern Virginia. Children and partners are welcome to be as involved as you prefer in all aspects of your care, including office visits.

We do not participate in any insurance plans. Your investment in home birth midwifery care is paid out of pocket. We accept cash, Zelle, PayPal, credit card, FSA card, or HSA card. We can refer you to a separate billing company that will help you seek a reimbursement from your insurance after your care is complete. A sliding scale is offered. Before 32 weeks, monthly payment plans are available. Cost: $4000-$7500 (need-blind sliding scale).

FAQ’s ABOUT HOME BIRTH ANSWERED BY RYANN bernard, CPM

How long have you been in practice? I’ve been attending births since 2012, having attended around 750 births.

What is your training and certification? I am a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM). In addition to going to midwifery school, I did my clinical training with local CPMs and a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM). I am also certified in neonatal resuscitation and advanced CPR.

Did you go to a formal school or just do an apprentice-model? While many CPMs trained under a traditional apprenticeship model that doesn’t include school, I went to Birthwise Midwifery School, a MEAC-accredited school focused on out-of-hospital midwifery. I believe that formal education is an essential component of providing you with evidence-based, safe, well-rounded midwifery care. I also have my Bachelors of Arts in addition to my Juris Doctor (law degree). 

Are you licensed to deliver in my state? I am licensed in Virginia and Maryland. In DC, our licensure law is active and we practice legally, but we are currently working on our regulations. There is at least one person in the area claiming to be a midwife who is not certified or licensed, so I encourage you to check any midwife's license with her state.

What is the cost of care? Find that information here.

What is included in your package? Complete prenatal care, similar to what you’d receive at an OB’s office, but much more in-depth. This includes visits that are 45 minutes long and can include your family, care and support through your home birth, postpartum home visits and breast feeding support.

How many clients do you take per month on average? I take 2-3 clients a month.

What do you do if two families are in labor at the same time? I work with great qualified back-ups and will make sure your birth is well-supported.

What is your relationship with area hospitals? I maintain positive relationships with all area hospitals. I work with local doctors in case you need a consult during pregnancy and have had many positive experiences transferring during labor. We are grateful for hospitals and never hesitate to go there when it’s needed. 

Do you carry medications or safety equipment? Absolutely. I come with a doppler to monitor the baby and equipment to monitor your vitals. I carry life-saving medications such as the anti-hemorrhagic Pitocin, rhogam, and vitamin K. I can suture, if you have a tear. I also carry IV fluids, oxygen, and the equipment needed to resuscitate your baby.

Do you help us to file the birth certificate? I register the birth with your state and they will send you a social security card and have a birth certificate available for you to order. All I need from you is some basic information and your signature.

Birth Doula Support

Silver

$2000

The perfect support for a family on a budget who wants to go into their birth well-prepared and well-supported.

• Access to Ryann via phone, email and text throughout pregnancy and postpatrum

• 1 in-office or virtual prenatal visit

• 15 hrs of in-person birth support during active labor, with additional support at $75/hr

• 1 in-home postpartum visit, including breastfeeding support

Gold

$3000

The perfect support for a family looking for additional childbirth education and unlimited birth support.

• Access to Ryann via phone, email and text throughout pregnancy and postpatrum

• 1 in-person prenatal visit

• 1 in-office or virtual prenatal visit

• Unlimited in-person birth support during active labor

• 1 in-home postpartum visit, including breastfeeding support

• 1 in-office postpartum visit, including breastfeeding support

Platinum

$4000

The ultimate support for families wanting full-spectrum doula support, including education, a close relationship with your doula, and unlimited birth support.

• Access to Ryann via phone, email and text throughout pregnancy and postpatrum

• 2 in-person prenatal visit

• 2 in-office or virtual prenatal visit

• Unlimited in-person birth support during active labor

• 2 in-home postpartum visit, including breastfeeding support

  2 in-office postpartum visit, including breastfeeding support

Black Births Matter.

Black birthing parents in this country are 2.6 times more likely to die in childbirth than their white counterparts. While we aim to provide respectful, affirming, evidence-based care that honors every parent’s autonomy, we also know that it takes more than that to undo the intergenerational trauma of hundreds of years of racism and continuing racism. We believe that truly meaningful care must include training more Black midwives, referring to Black doulas and Black-owned businesses, and providing potential clients with the names of Black midwives who already serve our community. It also includes advocating for systemic anti-racism changes that make the path to becoming a Certified Professional Midwife sustainable and financially feasible Black student midwives.

Let’s Connect

DEL RAY MIDWIFERY

RYANN BERNARD, CPM, LM, DEM, JD

P. 703-718-6635

F. 703-563-9226

E. RYANN@NOVABIRTH.ORG

A. 2001 MOUNT VERNON AVE, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22301