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DC Birth
Center
The DC Birth Center (DCBC) is a special place for pregnant women,
children, and their families. DCBC views pregnancy and childbirth
as normal, healthy events. It promotes wellness and confidence related
to birth and parenting. DCBC gives women care that is respectful
and also responsive to their individual needs.
DCBC welcomes
all women and their families, with a primary focus on residents
of Wards 5 and 6. Its goal is to bring affordable, family-centered
maternity, well-woman, and well-child care to all who need it.
Here are some
of the services provided by DCBC:
Prenatal
Care/Childbirth Education
Regular visits during pregnancy help women monitor their health
and the health and growth of their babies. At each prenatal visit,
DCBC helps women learn about their bodies, their babies, and the
choices they have in their care.
Prevention
of Premature Delivery
DCBC believes that women themselves play the most important role
in preventing their babies from being born too soon or too small.
During a woman's prenatal care, DCBC helps the woman understand
the warning signs of premature delivery, and talks with the woman
about what she can do to help her baby be born healthy.
Labor
and Birth Care
Whether a woman has her baby at the DC Birth Center or delivers
in a hospital, a DCBC nurse-midwife is there to provide support
and encouragement, and to help the woman gently welcome her baby
into the world. The baby's father, as well as other family members
and friends, may participate in the birth to the extent that the
mother wishes.
Postpartum
Care and Follow-Up
DCBC teaches women about the changes they and their babies will
go through after birth. They teach women about baby care, feeding,
and parenting. Even after the birth, DCBC staff remain available
to help.
Women’s
Services
DCBC offers yearly physical exams for women, including Pap tests and breast
exams.
HIV
and other STD testing and treatment are available. DCBC provides birth control
in the form of condoms, pills, shots, the patch, IUDs, and other methods. Women
receive diagnosis and treatment related to general gynecological problems, and
may request
care
for
“change
of
life”
symptoms (hot
flashes,
mood
swings,
heavy
bleeding,
etc.).
Children’s
Services
DCBC provides yearly physical exams for children, as well as specific exams for
day care, school, and sports.
Services
include
well-baby/well-child
care, sick-baby/sick-child care, and youth/young adult health care (to age 21).
Cost
of Services
DCBC honors Medicaid and all other major insurance plans. Care is
provided to all who need it.
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