ANDREYPOPOV IMGORTHAND / E+ / GETTY IMAGES
GRAPHICS: LILETT/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLU; BABY: RYANKING999
pregnancy to get to know them and to discuss
their birth plan (see sidebar). The doula can
help the woman find a physician or midwife,
educate her on childbirth options and help
ease her anxieties and concerns.

“Once a family hires me, I am theirs,”
says Elizabeth Oldham, owner and CEO
of Doulas of Northern Virginia. “We’re
walking through this together, and they
know that they have somebody they can
lean on through the pregnancy.”
During the birth, the doula will employ
various techniques to help the mother and her
partner (if she has one) relax. This can include
massage, aromatherapy, music and more. The
doula will also serve as an advocate to help
ensure the family’s preferences are followed.

Stacey Trost, a mother of two, hired a
doula for the birth of her first daughter.

The doula helped Trost move into various
positions to ease her pain, guided her through
meditations and spoke with the medical team
to ensure her wishes were met.

“She was firm on my behalf, and I really
appreciated that,” recalls Trost. “I felt so very
looked after. I don’t know what I would have
done without her.”
Like midwives, doulas are an excellent
choice for women who want a natural
childbirth with few interventions. Studies
have shown that women who use doulas
are less likely to have C-sections, epidurals,
pain medications and labor-inducing drugs.

Doulas can also help reduce the length of
labor, improve mother-baby bonding and
increase the chance of breastfeeding success.

What all of these prenatal care providers
have in common is their desire for you to
have a healthy pregnancy and baby.

“We are not just growing babies,” says
Barocca, “but growing resilient parents who
are taking an active role in their children’s
lives from the very beginning.” T
2021 Baby &
Maternity Directory
Child Care
A CHILD’S PLACE
achildsplaceinc.com 703-698-8050
3100 Prosperity Ave. , Fairfax, VA
A Child’s Place in Fairfax was established in 1981.

We take children eight weeks to five years. Please
stop by for a visit.

A MOTHER’S PRAYER NANNY SERVICE
ampnannies.com 301-744-9AMP
3 Bethesda Metro Center, Bethesda, MD
2 Wisconsin Cir #700, Chevy Chase, MD
Offering baby nannies, babysitters and doulas.

Over 20 years experience in childcare.

CHI AU PAIR USA
chiaupairorg; chichris@chinet.org
703-528-5152 CHI Au Pair USA offers safe and affordable
childcare in your home. Approximately $345 per
family, per week. Carefully screened and trained au
pairs ages 18 to 26 available from many different
countries. Au pairs can stay up to two years, have
legal visa, medical and liability insurance, and
childcare experience. U.S. Government designated
cultural exchange program. Local support provided
in your community. Discounts and special
promotions available.

Children’s & Misc. Retail
BELFORT FURNITURE
belfortfurniture.com; info@belfortfurniture.com
703-406-7600 22250 Shaw Rd., Dulles, VA
Belfort, Washington’s only Stanley Young America
Signature Shop, where you’ll find the area’s largest
selection of cribs, twin and full size beds, plus
sleigh, bunk, loft, novelty and storage beds at
affordable prices.

Classes & Instruction
ACORN HILL WALDORF
KINDERGARTEN & NURSERY
acornhill.org; info@acornhill.org
301-565-2282 9504 Brunett Ave., Silver Spring, MD
Ongoing birth to three parenting classes,
September through June. Parent-infant (six weeks
to one year), parent-toddler (1 to 2 years), parent-
child (2 to 3 years). Parents learn games, songs
and spend time mindfully attuning to their babies,
supporting development.

BEANTREE LEARNING ASHBURN CAMPUS
beantreelearning.com 43629 Greenway Corporate Dr., Ashburn, VA
BeanTree Learning offers private early childhood
education and care through pre-K. With a robust
learning curriculum, BeanTree offers stimulating
academic learning, experiential play, and specialty
programs in art, music, foreign language and
technology taught by degreed, experienced
educators. All programs are offered in small
classroom environments to promote learning. Year
round open enrollment available. Call for a personal
tour today.

BEANTREE LEARNING WESTFIELDS CAMPUS
beantreelearning.com 703-961-8222
5003 Westone Plaza, Chantilly, VA
BeanTree Learning is fully accredited through the
prestigious AdvancED/SACS CASI organization
offering full day private Kindergarten and a
robust after school program. With a team of
degreed, experienced educators, BeanTree
offers an advanced curriculum taught in small
classroom settings, providing students with one-
to-one attention and homework help after school
to reinforce subject matter. Year-round open
enrollment available. Call or a personal tour today.

BROOKSFIELD SCHOOL
brooksfieldschool.org sarah@brooksfieldschool.org
703-356-5437 1830 Kirby Road, McLean, VA
Ages Served: 3-10
Open House: Call to schedule a tour.

Mindfulness, nutrition, Spanish, dance, music &
art, outdoor adventure program, extracurricular
activities and summer camp.

FEYNMAN SCHOOL
feynmanschool.org admissions@feynmanschool.org
301-770-4370 11810 Falls Road, Potomac, MD
Grades: Preschool-Grade 8
Open House: Call to schedule a tour.

The area’s leader in educating academically-gifted
children, Feynman School features extraordinary
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