GW Midwives - available?

[Anonymous]

I've seen some references here and elsewhere about some message the GW Midwives sent out. Anyone know what that was? Are they still accepting new patients?

[Anonymous]

To our valued patients!



We are so honored to be caring for you and your families!



And now we find we at GW Midwifery are going through some changes and we are a smaller group than we have been over the past several years.



It is so very challenging to find the balance of how to provide the excellent and important care that we are used to providing to you all.



Beginning in April you will notice a decreased midwifery staffing presence. At times you will be scheduled for one or more of your office visits with one of our MFA colleagues: OB physician nurse practitioner or physician assistant. We know that many of you have already had this experience. There may also be times when a midwife is not available to attend births on labor and delivery. During these times our excellent MFA OB team will care for you and your family.



At GW we have been practicing a collaborative care model which includes a culture of safety. The midwives meet twice a day with the doctors, anesthesiologists, nurses, neonatal team, social workers and unit coordinators to review all of the patients on labor and delivery. This practice will continue, and we feel confident your experience will be empowering and satisfying.



Our midwifery group is working on how to best support your pregnancy throughout the summer and fall. We envision a rebuilding of our staffing through this time.



We understand how challenging and confusing this may be for you. We are her to support you and your family, and answer any questions you may have about your care.



The GW Midwifery Team



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[Anonymous]

Sounds suboptimal. Kind of makes you wonder why so many of their providers are leaving.

[Anonymous]

Which midwives are leaving?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds suboptimal. Kind of makes you wonder why so many of their providers are leaving.

Probably the same reason so many of the GW OBs are leaving.

[Anonymous]

Is there a specific reason? There was some speculation on another thread regarding MFA suing the hospital or something but I don't remember a specific catalyst.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know which providers left or are leaving?

[Anonymous]

Katie DePalma
Nora Fischer
Hannah

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Katie DePalma
Nora Fischer
Hannah

Why are they all leaving? I thought Hannah was the head of the department. And Nora, who admittedly is not my favorite, has been there for ages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Katie DePalma
Nora Fischer
Hannah

Katie and Hannah are incredible. Huge loss.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Katie DePalma
Nora Fischer
Hannah

Katie was the reason I wanted to work with them in the first place -- does anyone know if she's retiring or moving to a different practice (and if so which one)? No guarantee I'll be having more children, but just in case...

[Anonymous]

Nora is retiring.
Hannah is not leaving.

[Anonymous]

I been hoping to get in with them , I just started being scheduled and only had one appointment so far with one of the MFA OBs. Everytime I ask about switching to the midwives, I get the run around or am told to wait until after my first appointment. After my first appointment they say they don’t have the midwives schedule for may and on yet… ummm this is annoying. And now it seems they have midwives leaving. Ugh I’m hoping so bad for a VBAC and I just only want a midwife. Ugh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Katie DePalma
Nora Fischer
Hannah

Where’s Katie going? Another practice?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I been hoping to get in with them , I just started being scheduled and only had one appointment so far with one of the MFA OBs. Everytime I ask about switching to the midwives, I get the run around or am told to wait until after my first appointment. After my first appointment they say they don’t have the midwives schedule for may and on yet… ummm this is annoying. And now it seems they have midwives leaving. Ugh I’m hoping so bad for a VBAC and I just only want a midwife. Ugh.

The OBs at GW are excellent and frankly, most of them are better than the midwives. You’re in good hands and they’ll do everything to help you have a VBAC. Just make sure you are aware that a successful vaginal birth isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be. You might need forceps, vacuum, emergency C section, etc. And pelvic floor damage and permanent vaginal changes are not uncommon but not often spoken about in the VBAC world. Also prolapse is pretty common after vaginal birth (something like 1/3 get this - obviously there are degrees and many women don’t notice but it can have a huge impact on your quality of life). Drawbacks to a VBAC aren’t always discussed well. And you certainly won’t hear about this from the MWs.