right MFM, NICU hospitals, pregnancy after loss please help

[Anonymous]

Seeing Dr. Homa Ahmadzia at GW after losing my child suddenly in the second trimester I was seeing an OBGYN at GW and after suddenly losing my child she recommended I see MFM.

I am less than impressed with the lack of communication or follow-up from Dr. Ahmadzia. I get it they are busy and I am not pregnant yet but I have questions on what happened and the care plan she proposed for my next pregnancy ( hoping to begin TTC in April). I wanted to stick with GW as they are close to the metro and have a NICU, both essential to me. Now I am considering dropping GW and finding another MFM who is more responsive. Sibley is not an option as it's very far and their NICU is 32 weeks and above.

I am not sure if I can keep an OBGYn at GW and see an MFM someplace else. Not sure how the record transfer will go between two facilities. Feeling so lost and overwhelmed.

Anyone here has any experience or wisdom to share?

Thank you

[Anonymous]

Hi OP, I’m sorry for your loss. When I was in your post, I found support and great advice here: https://dc-plids.org/.
There’s a google group. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I had a great experience with the MFMs at WHC (Dr.Fries, who only sees certain cases).

https://www.medstarhealth.org/services/the-perinatal-center

I hated WHC for everything else, but loved my MFM and would deliver there again because of her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had a great experience with the MFMs at WHC (Dr.Fries, who only sees certain cases).

https://www.medstarhealth.org/services/the-perinatal-center

I hated WHC for everything else, but loved my MFM and would deliver there again because of her.

Thank you. OP here. Does she see patients at the WHC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi OP, I’m sorry for your loss. When I was in your post, I found support and great advice here: https://dc-plids.org/.
There’s a google group. Good luck.

Thank you. Erin has been so helpful.

[Anonymous]

I am meeting with Dr. Gallagher (MFM at GWU Bethesda) tomorrow and can report back if traveling to Bethesda would be an option for you for appointments (still will deliver at GWU hospital)

[Anonymous]

I find Dr. Macri at GW to be responsive and attentive. I did like Dr. Ahmadzia too though so we may have slightly different preferences although I only asked her questions in person and not via the portal. Sorry for your loss.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had a great experience with the MFMs at WHC (Dr.Fries, who only sees certain cases).

https://www.medstarhealth.org/services/the-perinatal-center

I hated WHC for everything else, but loved my MFM and would deliver there again because of her.

Thank you. OP here. Does she see patients at the WHC?

Yes, the MFMs have a small office at WHC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find Dr. Macri at GW to be responsive and attentive. I did like Dr. Ahmadzia too though so we may have slightly different preferences although I only asked her questions in person and not via the portal. Sorry for your loss.

Dr. Macri was there when I lost my daughter. He seems okay. I heard he might be retiring soon thus choose Dr. Ahmadzia. It's been impossible to get appointments with her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am meeting with Dr. Gallagher (MFM at GWU Bethesda) tomorrow and can report back if traveling to Bethesda would be an option for you for appointments (still will deliver at GWU hospital)

Thank you so much! Hope your appointment goes well.

[Anonymous]

I was in your similar situation. I was seeing Dr Ahmadzia at GW, but got so frustrated with her failure to unresponsive to my follow-up emails after she told me I may have placental issues. Dr. Macri was the most responsive and helpful. But he no longer delivers.

Since I had heard so many mixed reviews from GW, I decided to transfer to Inova Fairfax at 24 weeks (I waited till after my fetal echocardiogram to make the official transfer). I'm so glad I did. The MFM I meet with takes the time to explain and answer all my questions. I never feel rushed. The only drawbacks are having to meet individually with an obgyn and MFM, but my obgyn does allow virtual appointments. And yes, it's farther, my obgyn is next to the Ballston metro.

[Anonymous]

Perinatal associates of Northern VA or Maternal Fetal Medical Assocs of Rockville.

[Anonymous]

Would you consider Georgetown? They have an excellent NICU. And the nursing care is supposedly great. GW is an administrative mess.

I’m really sorry for your loss. If you haven’t scheduled an appointment to debrief with the provider about what happened, I strongly suggest it.

[Anonymous]

I'm the poster above who transferred to Inova Fairfax. I wanted to add that before I transferred, I was seeing both Dr. Ahmadzia at GW and an MFM at Inova Fairfax. The issue with records was never a problem as both hospitals use MyChart and could access each other's records. So you could see an MFM outside GW without issues with records. Just make sure they use MyChart and make sure each hospital enables the share part on your profile.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am meeting with Dr. Gallagher (MFM at GWU Bethesda) tomorrow and can report back if traveling to Bethesda would be an option for you for appointments (still will deliver at GWU hospital)

Thank you so much! Hope your appointment goes well.

I liked Gallagher- -he was sympathetic (he apologized for my previous miscarriage which I don't recall the reproductive endocrinologists office once doing)-- and when i shared an anxiety about preterm labor (my sister delivered at 24 weeks which is why I chose GW as I credit their nicu with the kids lives) he asked what he could do to help soothe my anxiety and offered an extra ultrasound at 24 weeks. He was a little awkward (like had difficulty adjusting the chair and I felt like the nurse was rolling her eyes at him for not knowing how) but nothing that impaired care. If you don't mind the metro ride to Bethesda I'd recommend. Also if it's just a consult you could probably do telehealth