About DC Baby Planners - for expectant moms and new parents in Washington, DC

Rachel's sons, Quinn & Alexander photographed by Malek Naz

Rachel Macias is the founder and president of Washington, DC metro region's premier baby planning service, DC Baby Planners. After the birth of her two sons, she left a distinguished career working in the Washington corporate, non-profit and federal sectors to become a momprenuer.

DC Baby Planners was inspired by her first pregnancy. Rachel was on information overload from the moment she started trying to get pregnant. She loved it all and couldn't get enough. She knew she wasn't alone and that other parents-to-be must be experiencing the same emotions and need for information and assistance. She searched for someone professionally who she could turn to work with her in this journey. Someone who could help her to find an efficient way of getting organized during pregnancy. She couldn't find that person and, hence, DC Baby Planners was born to fill that void for other parents in the DC region.

Armed with the best research and lots of time, Rachel set out to find the best solutions for her clients and her growing family. Macias' passion for helping new and expectant mothers inspires her every day.

Her last stint in the corporate world was at Cable in the Classroom, where she served as the primary spokesperson to local cable operators. She previously worked as the manager of an award-winning charitable foundation.

She has served on multiple Boards of Directors for nonprofits, but mostly spends her time these days easing pregnant women into motherhood and on the floor playing with her boys. She resides in Northern Virginia with her fabulous husband, Paul, and their amazing sons Alexander and Quinn and baby-to-be arriving in 2011.

Mary Oscategui, The Baby Planner

Rachel is proud to be affiliated with The Baby Planner, Mary Oscategui. Mary taught her a thing or two or three about baby planning and is an invaluable member of the baby planning industry.

Mary Oscategui, Founder of The Baby Planner and The International Academy of Baby Planner Professionals, has a determination and love for empowering women and families to reconnect with their powerful and intelligent nature. She is the author of "The Baby Planner: A Guide to Becoming a Baby Planner and Starting Your Own Business," which offers a new perspective on what it means to be a baby planner, and provides those interested in a baby planning career with all the tools and support necessary to get started in the new industry of baby planning.

She is a very passionate baby planner, single mom, mom-preneur, certified Yoga and Pilates Instructor, certified Personal Trainer, a Health and Fitness Specialist, Living Foods expert, a Home Birth Mama, and a Going-Green expert. She's inspirational, motivating, and enjoys matching her clients with the best of everything.

Mary has advised baby planner start-ups businesses offering a wealth of knowledge and support. She has also coached and trained a variety of clients throughout her fifteen year career through the modalities of yoga, pilates, mom and baby health, holistic nutrition, and weight management.

The International Academy of Baby Planner Professionals

CEO and founder of The Baby Planner, Mary Oscategui has founded the International Academy of Baby Planner Professionals (IABPP), a high-level educational resource and certification for baby planner professionals. The mission is to inspire, motivate, support, and educate future baby planners through creative and effective professionalism, business management, strong leadership, sales, and communication in order to provide their clients with exceptional service. Before being accepted into the IABPP, members must complete the six week or twelve week baby planner certification course as a pre-requisite. Rachel is a graduate of the program and serves on the Board of Directors.

The Baby Planning Industry

Baby planning as a profession started about four years in England and quickly moved to the US. As the industry becomes more well-known, more baby planners come into business. Twenty years ago, wedding planners were not common, but now they are universal. Many believe baby planners will become as popular as wedding planners are today.