The Best OBs in the DMV | DC, Maryland, Northern Virginia
A lot of the families I support choose to work with midwives, whether that’s at home, in a birth center, or at the hospital. Many others work with amazing OBs all over the DC Metro area. Some prefer an OB because they have a high-risk condition or high-risk pregnancy. Others just feel more comfortable with someone who has the highest level of formal medical education. There’s no one right way, it’s all about what makes you feel safest and most supported.
Sometimes, OBs get a bad reputation in the natural birth world, but the truth is that so many of them really do want to help families have safe and positive pregnancies and births. For some people, having an experienced OB by their side can truly be life-saving.
This list comes from my own experiences with OBs in the DC area, along with client recommendations and community feedback. I know there are many more wonderful doctors out there, so if you’ve had a great experience with an obstetrician in the DMV, I’d love to hear about it. And if you’ve had an experience that wasn’t so great, I’d appreciate hearing that too. My hope is that this list keeps growing and helps more families find the care that feels right for them.
Northern Virginia
Dr. Neda Hashemi
Practices at Centreville OB/GYN and is affiliated with INOVA Fairfax and INOVA Fair Oaks. While I’ve heard great things about the whole team there, Dr. Hashemi’s name comes up most often. She’s known for being incredibly supportive and has even been called a “trailblazer” in evidence-based VBAC. Families appreciate how she treats birth as a truly special day and how she combines kindness with up-to-date medical knowledge in her approach.
Dr. Marvin Uthaman and Dr. Jessica Jabola
They practice at Fair Ridge OB-GYN and are affiliated with INOVA Fair Oaks. Both are known for their warm bedside manner and attentive care. They’re relatable, bring a good sense of humor to their work, take a more holistic approach, and are highly knowledgeable.
Dr. Daryadokht Maanavi
Practices at Nova Group for Women, An INOVA Practice and is affiliated with INOVA Fairfax. She’s known for being supportive of VBACs and her patients often share how respected and truly heard they feel in her care. Appointments never feel rushed and she’s described as incredibly caring and attentive.
Dr. Patricia Bannon
Practices at INOVA OBGYN McLean and is affiliated with INOVA Fairfax. Dr. Bannon is often described as the kind of doctor who makes you feel truly valued, not just another number in the waiting room. She never rushes through appointments and takes her time to talk through every concern with care and patience. Patients appreciate how warm, thorough, and attentive she is, and how she stays up to date on the latest research. Many feel empowered and fully supported in her care.
Dr. Sherri Franklin
Practices at Stone Springs OB/GYN and delivers at Stone Springs Hospital Center. She’s known for being thoughtful, caring, and truly attentive. Her calm and steady presence helps families feel at ease. She takes a holistic approach and always makes time to answer questions and explain things clearly, so you feel comfortable and confident in your care. She’s incredibly knowledgeable and takes the time to share the benefits and risks of any situation, so you can make informed choices.
Dr. Kristin Gorelik
Practices at VHC Health OB/GYN - Annandale and delivers at Virginia Hospital Center. I’ve heard wonderful feedback about many doctors in this practice, but her name is mentioned most often. She has a calming, caring presence and treats each visit with patience and compassion. She’s especially sensitive to loss and fertility challenges and takes time to listen and explain things clearly. Many families describe her as thorough, thoughtful, and easy to feel comfortable with.
Dr. Ahan Hunter
Practices at About Women - Woodbridge and is affiliated with Sentara NOVA Medical Center. He truly listens and makes you feel heard, never rushing through your visit. He’s open to exploring different options and takes time to answer every question thoroughly. Patients appreciate how comfortable and supported they feel in his care.
Washington DC
GW MFA OBs
Practice at GW Obstetrics & Gynecology, GW Hospital. It was hard to highlight just one or two providers because so many families have shared wonderful things about this team as a whole. They’re known for being patient-centered, deeply knowledgeable, and supportive of physiological, low-intervention birth. They’re very VBAC friendly and grounded in evidence-based care. The OBs here do everything they can to help patients have the birth experience they hope for.
Dr. Brendan Burke and Dr. Margaret McGovern-Burke
They both practice at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. While there are many wonderful providers at this location, their names came up the most. They’re both known for being supportive, truly listening, and including you in the decision-making process. They take the time to explain things clearly and talk through the risks and benefits of each option. Families also say the nurses here are incredible advocates and add so much warmth and care.
Dr. Ahmed Kerr
Practices at Reiter, Hill, & Johnson and is affiliated with Sibley Memorial Hospital. He’s often described as kind, patient, and honest. He makes sure his patients feel included in every part of the decision-making process and always respects their opinions and needs.
Dr. Kathleen Bren
Practices at Bloom OB/GYN and is affiliated with Sibley Memorial Hospital. Dr. Bren is known for truly listening and making sure every concern feels valid, never treating a question as unimportant. She takes a holistic approach and is kind and understanding, especially for those who may feel anxious or overwhelmed. She makes it a priority to share all the information needed to help her patients make informed choices and always has their best interests at heart. It’s worth mentioning that Bloom OB/GYN is a busy practice and may not always be accepting new patients.
Maryland
Dr. Meredith Kapner
Practices at OB-GYN Associates Silver Springs and is associated with Holy Cross Hospital. She’s compassionate, warm and has a great sense of humor. Patients say she truly listens, respects their choices, and is deeply supportive, especially when it comes to accessible care for LGBTQ+ communities. She’s known for blending strong medical knowledge with clear, thoughtful explanations, and she helps families understand risks and decisions with a well-informed, evidence-based approach.
Dr. Sara Mirghani
Practices at CWC - Rockville (Division 23) and is associated with Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. She’s incredibly supportive of VBAC and respectful of physiological birth. Patients describe her as kind, compassionate, and a true advocate. She listens fully, explains things clearly, and makes sure you have all the information you need to make confident, informed choices. Families feel genuinely respected and cared for in her hands.
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialists
Dr. Myriam Ferzli
Practices at Virginia Hospital Center. She has a wonderful bedside manner and listens with genuine care. Her responses are always thoughtful, empathetic, and grounded in evidence-based research. Her words are reassuring, kind, and easy to follow. Families say they never feel rushed and always feel safe, heard, and their experiences are validated in her presence.
Dr. Daphne Drassinower
Practices at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. She’s often described as patient, understanding, and reassuring. Families appreciate her warm and attentive nature and her compassionate, thorough approach to care. She takes time to explain everything in detail and is always willing to address any questions or concerns.
If you are looking for an OB in the DC Metro area and want a more personalized recommendation based on your history, values, and vision for your birth… please reach out! I love helping families find the right provider, even if they’re not one of my doula or birth photography clients. It means so much to me to connect people with care that feels right for them.
