ABOUT US
Meet the Midwife
Ryann Bernard, CPM
she/her/hers
Midwife & Birth Doula
Ryann Bernard has been attending births since 2012 and has been to over 750 births. She graduated from Birthwise Midwifery School and became a Certified Professional Midwife in 2017 and attends births in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Ryann is a home birth midwife and a birth doula. She provides DC-area families with an intimate, tailored experience.
Ryann pronounces her name [ryan], like the boy’s name (her mom named her after the old soap opera, Ryan’s Hope, and Ryann suspects the extra “n” was added just to make it confusing). She lives in Alexandria with her three kids. In her free time, Ryann enjoys hiking, skiing, paddle boarding, and going to the theater—often with her kids.
Ryann is one of the midwives featured in this short film about community midwifery in Northern Virginia. Please watch and learn more!
Learn About Midwifery
FAQ’s 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.
Black lives matter in midwifery care. We are doing the work to help create an anti-racist system for birth.
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.
Investing in Midwifery & Doula Care
Quality birth support is not a luxury—it is an investment in your physical and emotional health. Home birth and doula support is available in Alexandria, Arlington, Woodbridge, and all of Northern Virginia, DC, and Maryland. Whether you are planning a home or hospital birth, seeking doula or midwifery care, Ryann will provide expert, evidence-based, compassionate care.
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: $4500-$7500 (sliding scale).
doula support
DC parents come to Ryann for the ultimate in high-level birth support from one of the DC, Maryland, and Virginia's most experienced birth doulas and one of the few midwives who provides doula services as well. Ryann serves as a doula at all hospitals in DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland. Clients have concierge-level support available seven days a week, including immediate access to Ryann via phone, email, and text.
Del Ray Midwifery’s doula support package is unique in terms of the depth of support provided. Working with Ryann includes an in-office or virtual birth-planning prenatal visit, in-person birth doula support at home (with the benefit of her midwifery skills), doula support while you are at the hospital, breast feeding support, and and in-person postpartum visit. Unlike most doulas in the DC-area, Ryann’s birth support is unlimited once active labor has begun—you will not pay extra if you have a longer birth. Because Ryann is a midwife, many clients are able to get some of the costs reimbursed by their insurance plan. Cost: $2500.
Contact Us & Schedule Your Visit
Let Us Help You Find Everything You Need!
Be in touch!
tell us about yourself…
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