At BirthCare, we understand that giving birth is a deeply personal and transformative experience. We strive to create a safe and supportive environment where you can feel empowered and respected. Our goal is to ensure that you have all the information and resources you need to make informed decisions about your birth plan.
We serve families desiring to birth in their home or in our nationally accredited birth center. We attend home births in Maryland, D.C. and Virginia within a 40-mile radius of BirthCare. Birthing people and families who prefer a birth center experience may come to us from as far away as Winchester, Warrenton, Fredericksburg, Ellicott City, Gaithersburg, and Southern Maryland. In addition to our birth services, we also work with clients seeking personalized gynecologic care and family planning.
Whether you choose to birth at home or in our birth center, our midwives are trained to provide expert care and support. We are experienced in managing both low-risk pregnancies, and we work closely with trusted medical professionals to ensure the health and well-being of you and your baby.
Our Story
BirthCare has served women and families throughout the DC metropolitan area for for over 35 years. Marsha Jackson started BirthCare with Alice Bailes on May 11, 1987. Birthcare originated as a home birth service in addition to providing GYN care, it expanded its services in 1992 to include an accredited birth center. Alice retired in 2013 followed by Marsha in 2023. This legacy now continues with Dr. Elle Schnetzler and a wonderful team of midwives and support staff, continuing to provide the same high-quality personalized care for birthing people and families.
Our Philosphy
BirthCare’s philosophy is based on the belief that health care for women and birthing people takes place within the context of a partnership in which the provider and consumer of care have joint responsibility. Every person brings to their pregnancy and birth their own unique gifts, which the BirthCare midwives encourage. We respect and enjoy working with the wide cultural diversity of birthing people and their families that have used our services. All care is designed to meet each client’s specific needs and preferences.
We encourage the birthing person and their partner to take an active role in the birth of their children. We take every opportunity to support and enhance bonding between the newborn and the parents. During the childbearing cycle, the birthing person’s needs, and desires to include their family in the birth process are respected. To best assist the birthing person, babies, and families we serve, we need to ensure that safe out-of-hospital birth options and personalized gynecological care remain available.