Midwife/Birth recs near Gloucester/Yorktown/Newport News/Hampton Roads

[justKate]

Hey ladies, really need some recommedations here. 

Just found out that I'm pg and need to find a care provider in the Hampton Roads or Gloucester, VA area, preferably on the HR/NN side of the river (I don't want to cross the bridge to Norfolk/Ptsmouth).  We are military, so I'm looking for someone who accepts Tricare Standard.  Probably not a homebirth; don't think I can get DH on board after the complications DD had.

I'm also interested in who you DON'T recommend, send those to me via PM please!  Oh, and doulas--especially any doulas that happen to be military spouses (for base access if I decide to use a military hospital). 

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[juju_mom]

Congrats!! Wishing you an empowering birth experience. Sorry, I wish I had information to share with you.

[wannaBmom_NICU_RN]

I had a homebirth so I don't have a lot of personal experience.  But I am a Nursery/NICU nurse at Mary Immaculate. Check out the Jafri's.  They are two brother in a practice. Very nice and have a great track record for minimal episiotomies, etc.  Not sure if they take TriCare, but worth checking out!

[justKate]

Thanks!  I'll look at them.  Overall, do you feel like Mary Immaculate is pretty mom/baby/vbac friendly?  I know my best chance would be a HBAC, but DH just isn't comfortable with it....

[wannaBmom_NICU_RN]

Honestly right now we are not very baby/mom friendly.  There are some majors changes going on right now though to make us better.  The new policies should be in place by the time you have your baby.  Things like respecting the golden hour, doing all baby care in the delivery room etc.  If you come in with a pretty detailed birth plan you should be fine.  As far as VBAC goes, that depends on your OB.  We do allow them at MIH though.  Hope that helps!  If you come for a tour anytime soon, you will be hearing more of the old policies, so just know they are changing soon.

[Mommyofalmost6]

Best place I can recommend is in Norfolk at Depaul. Womens care center. They have midwives and are awesome. They also have the lowest c seaction rate in the area, best breastfeeding rate and are VERY respectable of your wishes and needs and such. I know of two very good doula practices. If you would like that info I can PM it to you. I changed to standard so I could use Depaul. I refuse to go to Portsmouth. It is a bit of a drive for me to get there so I understand where you are coming from!

[MilitaryDoula]

I second the recommendation to check out Depaul. I have attended births at Mary Immaculate and the over-all experience has been good, although some of the staff are not as flexible as others. I realize this thread is a bit older and you might have found a great doula already (there are several in the area) , but I am a military spouse and also an active birth and postpartum doula. My site is www.themilitarydoula.com

Please look up Birth Matters Virginia. There is a birth circle that is full of amazing women and resources that meets the fourth Thursday of every month in Newport News. There are also mothering circles in the area.

Marie

[sunnygal27]

I highly recommend Bon Secours' Depaul Midwifery center. I had my LO there just over a year ago and I couldn't ask for a better birth experience.  Good Luck!