GW MFA

[Anonymous]

How is it at GW MFA now for OBGYN? Is it better getting appointments? Did they hire more staff? Thoughts? I am thinking about pregnancy again towards the end of this year.

[Anonymous]

I know many people have had good experiences with GW but I delivered there in 2020 and it was truly awful. I was misdiagnosed repeatedly by multiple doctors and it only went downhill from there unfortunately. A friend is there currently and like some other practices they are really spacing out prenatal visits because they are short staffed, but that is just what I’ve been told, not first hand experience. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I just had my first OB appointment last week. My previous OB, who is now only working at the hospital, intervened with scheduling on my behalf to get me a first trimester appointment with the new OB I preferred to see (I have a very complicated history and severe anxiety that is triggered by my past experiences at GW, so I don't just bounce around between doctors). The OB I'm now going to see through pregnancy told me that she would make sure I can have my appointments with her going forward, even if scheduling says she doesn't have anything. I don't know if all the OBs are doing that now. I'm doing ultrasounds at an outside MFM, so I can't comment on what it's like to get an ultrasound appointment.
The Bethesda office has been completely remodeled. It's almost disorienting how different it is in the waiting area. It's basically like a ghost town there now...but that also means the limited number of staff are focused on fewer tasks because their patient load is so much smaller. It's only been 1 appointment for me so far, but I'm actually quite optimistic that I will have a much better experience now than in 2019 because it's smaller.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for your response! Which doctor do you see there now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for your response! Which doctor do you see there now?

I'm with Jamshidi. I'm actually the OP of the sort-of recent thread about getting a first trimester appointment at GW MFA that popped up again yesterday or the day before.
MFA OBGYN department is supposed to be hiring more doctors right now, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just had my first OB appointment last week. My previous OB, who is now only working at the hospital, intervened with scheduling on my behalf to get me a first trimester appointment with the new OB I preferred to see (I have a very complicated history and severe anxiety that is triggered by my past experiences at GW, so I don't just bounce around between doctors). The OB I'm now going to see through pregnancy told me that she would make sure I can have my appointments with her going forward, even if scheduling says she doesn't have anything. I don't know if all the OBs are doing that now. I'm doing ultrasounds at an outside MFM, so I can't comment on what it's like to get an ultrasound appointment.
The Bethesda office has been completely remodeled. It's almost disorienting how different it is in the waiting area. It's basically like a ghost town there now...but that also means the limited number of staff are focused on fewer tasks because their patient load is so much smaller. It's only been 1 appointment for me so far, but I'm actually quite optimistic that I will have a much better experience now than in 2019 because it's smaller.

I've had a mostly good experience with GW MFA. Currently 34 weeks pregnant- have had no difficulties scheduling. I was exclusively seeing Dr. Gallagher in the Bethesda location until 30 weeks pregnant but found that she wasn't responsive enough when I needed, to me what felt like, urgent guidance on gestational diabetes (like took 10 days to order a glucometer, had still done it wrong so it couldn't be processed, and even longer to get dietary counseling set up--- so I figured out alternatives for both by being a squeaky wheel and speaking to on call dr to get the prescription ordered, and finding my own endocrinology appointment). I've since switched to having a variety of OBs and MFM in all 3 locations and have liked the 2 I've met with so far more than Gallagher (more proactive in telling me what to do/what to expect, more detailed answers to questions).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for your response! Which doctor do you see there now?

I'm with Jamshidi. I'm actually the OP of the sort-of recent thread about getting a first trimester appointment at GW MFA that popped up again yesterday or the day before.
MFA OBGYN department is supposed to be hiring more doctors right now, too.

She is amazing!! We are actively TTC and I want her to be my OB.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just had my first OB appointment last week. My previous OB, who is now only working at the hospital, intervened with scheduling on my behalf to get me a first trimester appointment with the new OB I preferred to see (I have a very complicated history and severe anxiety that is triggered by my past experiences at GW, so I don't just bounce around between doctors). The OB I'm now going to see through pregnancy told me that she would make sure I can have my appointments with her going forward, even if scheduling says she doesn't have anything. I don't know if all the OBs are doing that now. I'm doing ultrasounds at an outside MFM, so I can't comment on what it's like to get an ultrasound appointment.
The Bethesda office has been completely remodeled. It's almost disorienting how different it is in the waiting area. It's basically like a ghost town there now...but that also means the limited number of staff are focused on fewer tasks because their patient load is so much smaller. It's only been 1 appointment for me so far, but I'm actually quite optimistic that I will have a much better experience now than in 2019 because it's smaller.

I've had a mostly good experience with GW MFA. Currently 34 weeks pregnant- have had no difficulties scheduling. I was exclusively seeing Dr. Gallagher in the Bethesda location until 30 weeks pregnant but found that she wasn't responsive enough when I needed, to me what felt like, urgent guidance on gestational diabetes (like took 10 days to order a glucometer, had still done it wrong so it couldn't be processed, and even longer to get dietary counseling set up--- so I figured out alternatives for both by being a squeaky wheel and speaking to on call dr to get the prescription ordered, and finding my own endocrinology appointment). I've since switched to having a variety of OBs and MFM in all 3 locations and have liked the 2 I've met with so far more than Gallagher (more proactive in telling me what to do/what to expect, more detailed answers to questions).

This is very good to know. Thanks for sharing. I had a late second-trimester loss and with my next, I will see MFM. I plan to see Dr. Driggers at Sibley until I am 30 wks and move to GW MFM.

[Anonymous]

I've had good experiences, particularly at Bethesda location. I see Dr. Gallagher and she has been so far so good (I am 35 weeks).

With my first pregnancy, I generally went to their downtown DC locations and it was always a mess with waiting times etc. But Bethesda, I never have to wait at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just had my first OB appointment last week. My previous OB, who is now only working at the hospital, intervened with scheduling on my behalf to get me a first trimester appointment with the new OB I preferred to see (I have a very complicated history and severe anxiety that is triggered by my past experiences at GW, so I don't just bounce around between doctors). The OB I'm now going to see through pregnancy told me that she would make sure I can have my appointments with her going forward, even if scheduling says she doesn't have anything. I don't know if all the OBs are doing that now. I'm doing ultrasounds at an outside MFM, so I can't comment on what it's like to get an ultrasound appointment.
The Bethesda office has been completely remodeled. It's almost disorienting how different it is in the waiting area. It's basically like a ghost town there now...but that also means the limited number of staff are focused on fewer tasks because their patient load is so much smaller. It's only been 1 appointment for me so far, but I'm actually quite optimistic that I will have a much better experience now than in 2019 because it's smaller.

How does it work to get ultrasounds at an outside place while having GW be your principal hospital? I delivered at GW in 2020 during the pandemic and it was totally fine - bounced around between doctors for appointments, but otherwise fine. I just called them for a second pregnancy and learned about their new system where no one will see you in person until you are like 12 weeks pregnant, including no ultrasound or prenatal testing of any sort until then.

And does anyone have any recent experience scheduling a CVS with them? Since I can't even speak to a nurse via telephone until the 8 week mark, I don't want to be in a situation where it's then too late to get her to schedule a CVS between 10-13 weeks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just had my first OB appointment last week. My previous OB, who is now only working at the hospital, intervened with scheduling on my behalf to get me a first trimester appointment with the new OB I preferred to see (I have a very complicated history and severe anxiety that is triggered by my past experiences at GW, so I don't just bounce around between doctors). The OB I'm now going to see through pregnancy told me that she would make sure I can have my appointments with her going forward, even if scheduling says she doesn't have anything. I don't know if all the OBs are doing that now. I'm doing ultrasounds at an outside MFM, so I can't comment on what it's like to get an ultrasound appointment.
The Bethesda office has been completely remodeled. It's almost disorienting how different it is in the waiting area. It's basically like a ghost town there now...but that also means the limited number of staff are focused on fewer tasks because their patient load is so much smaller. It's only been 1 appointment for me so far, but I'm actually quite optimistic that I will have a much better experience now than in 2019 because it's smaller.

How does it work to get ultrasounds at an outside place while having GW be your principal hospital? I delivered at GW in 2020 during the pandemic and it was totally fine - bounced around between doctors for appointments, but otherwise fine. I just called them for a second pregnancy and learned about their new system where no one will see you in person until you are like 12 weeks pregnant, including no ultrasound or prenatal testing of any sort until then.

And does anyone have any recent experience scheduling a CVS with them? Since I can't even speak to a nurse via telephone until the 8 week mark, I don't want to be in a situation where it's then too late to get her to schedule a CVS between 10-13 weeks.

Hi. I'm the author of the post you quoted. I'm now 21 weeks, still seeing a GWMFA OB at the Bethesda office and MFM at Sibley. Sibley and GW both now use Epic for their EMR, so the ultrasound report from the MFM just appears in the system where my MFA OB can see it. Sibley MFMs do require a referral from the primary OB.

I'm sorry for the frustration you are enduring about GW not even scheduling a nurse call until 8 weeks. It was the same for me, but as I posted above during the summer, my GW OB who is now only working on Labor and Delivery was responsive to my messages and intervened to get my first appointment bumped up before 12 weeks.

I assume there's a specific reason you want a CVS, and that it is likely based on your past history. If that's the case, call the triage nurse line and tell them you are worried/have anxiety [whatever applies from your past pregnancy(ies) that is the reason you want a CVS]. That might be a way to be seen sooner or get your nurse call bumped to an earlier date. Or if you have an OB you have communicated with via the portal, especially since your last pregnancy, you could try sending them a message. Final option I can think of is to get a first trimester appointment at a different OB, get the referral to outside MFM from them to get ultrasound/CVS/NIPT/whatever applies to your situation, then flip over to GW once they'll actually let you have an appointment. It is truly ridiculous that this last option even has to be considered, but we have to do what we have to do to get the care we want.

[Anonymous]

Thanks very much - this is all very helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just had my first OB appointment last week. My previous OB, who is now only working at the hospital, intervened with scheduling on my behalf to get me a first trimester appointment with the new OB I preferred to see (I have a very complicated history and severe anxiety that is triggered by my past experiences at GW, so I don't just bounce around between doctors). The OB I'm now going to see through pregnancy told me that she would make sure I can have my appointments with her going forward, even if scheduling says she doesn't have anything. I don't know if all the OBs are doing that now. I'm doing ultrasounds at an outside MFM, so I can't comment on what it's like to get an ultrasound appointment.
The Bethesda office has been completely remodeled. It's almost disorienting how different it is in the waiting area. It's basically like a ghost town there now...but that also means the limited number of staff are focused on fewer tasks because their patient load is so much smaller. It's only been 1 appointment for me so far, but I'm actually quite optimistic that I will have a much better experience now than in 2019 because it's smaller.

How does it work to get ultrasounds at an outside place while having GW be your principal hospital? I delivered at GW in 2020 during the pandemic and it was totally fine - bounced around between doctors for appointments, but otherwise fine. I just called them for a second pregnancy and learned about their new system where no one will see you in person until you are like 12 weeks pregnant, including no ultrasound or prenatal testing of any sort until then.

And does anyone have any recent experience scheduling a CVS with them? Since I can't even speak to a nurse via telephone until the 8 week mark, I don't want to be in a situation where it's then too late to get her to schedule a CVS between 10-13 weeks.

Hi. I'm the author of the post you quoted. I'm now 21 weeks, still seeing a GWMFA OB at the Bethesda office and MFM at Sibley. Sibley and GW both now use Epic for their EMR, so the ultrasound report from the MFM just appears in the system where my MFA OB can see it. Sibley MFMs do require a referral from the primary OB.

I'm sorry for the frustration you are enduring about GW not even scheduling a nurse call until 8 weeks. It was the same for me, but as I posted above during the summer, my GW OB who is now only working on Labor and Delivery was responsive to my messages and intervened to get my first appointment bumped up before 12 weeks.

I assume there's a specific reason you want a CVS, and that it is likely based on your past history. If that's the case, call the triage nurse line and tell them you are worried/have anxiety [whatever applies from your past pregnancy(ies) that is the reason you want a CVS]. That might be a way to be seen sooner or get your nurse call bumped to an earlier date. Or if you have an OB you have communicated with via the portal, especially since your last pregnancy, you could try sending them a message. Final option I can think of is to get a first trimester appointment at a different OB, get the referral to outside MFM from them to get ultrasound/CVS/NIPT/whatever applies to your situation, then flip over to GW once they'll actually let you have an appointment. It is truly ridiculous that this last option even has to be considered, but we have to do what we have to do to get the care we want.

I remember reading your posts - I am quite happy to hear you are at 21 weeks already! Time flies. I hope you are doing well. Do you plan to deliver at GW? All the best to you and baby. They are lucky to have a mom who is so conscientious and who will always look out for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just had my first OB appointment last week. My previous OB, who is now only working at the hospital, intervened with scheduling on my behalf to get me a first trimester appointment with the new OB I preferred to see (I have a very complicated history and severe anxiety that is triggered by my past experiences at GW, so I don't just bounce around between doctors). The OB I'm now going to see through pregnancy told me that she would make sure I can have my appointments with her going forward, even if scheduling says she doesn't have anything. I don't know if all the OBs are doing that now. I'm doing ultrasounds at an outside MFM, so I can't comment on what it's like to get an ultrasound appointment.
The Bethesda office has been completely remodeled. It's almost disorienting how different it is in the waiting area. It's basically like a ghost town there now...but that also means the limited number of staff are focused on fewer tasks because their patient load is so much smaller. It's only been 1 appointment for me so far, but I'm actually quite optimistic that I will have a much better experience now than in 2019 because it's smaller.

How does it work to get ultrasounds at an outside place while having GW be your principal hospital? I delivered at GW in 2020 during the pandemic and it was totally fine - bounced around between doctors for appointments, but otherwise fine. I just called them for a second pregnancy and learned about their new system where no one will see you in person until you are like 12 weeks pregnant, including no ultrasound or prenatal testing of any sort until then.

And does anyone have any recent experience scheduling a CVS with them? Since I can't even speak to a nurse via telephone until the 8 week mark, I don't want to be in a situation where it's then too late to get her to schedule a CVS between 10-13 weeks.

Hi. I'm the author of the post you quoted. I'm now 21 weeks, still seeing a GWMFA OB at the Bethesda office and MFM at Sibley. Sibley and GW both now use Epic for their EMR, so the ultrasound report from the MFM just appears in the system where my MFA OB can see it. Sibley MFMs do require a referral from the primary OB.

I'm sorry for the frustration you are enduring about GW not even scheduling a nurse call until 8 weeks. It was the same for me, but as I posted above during the summer, my GW OB who is now only working on Labor and Delivery was responsive to my messages and intervened to get my first appointment bumped up before 12 weeks.

I assume there's a specific reason you want a CVS, and that it is likely based on your past history. If that's the case, call the triage nurse line and tell them you are worried/have anxiety [whatever applies from your past pregnancy(ies) that is the reason you want a CVS]. That might be a way to be seen sooner or get your nurse call bumped to an earlier date. Or if you have an OB you have communicated with via the portal, especially since your last pregnancy, you could try sending them a message. Final option I can think of is to get a first trimester appointment at a different OB, get the referral to outside MFM from them to get ultrasound/CVS/NIPT/whatever applies to your situation, then flip over to GW once they'll actually let you have an appointment. It is truly ridiculous that this last option even has to be considered, but we have to do what we have to do to get the care we want.

I remember reading your posts - I am quite happy to hear you are at 21 weeks already! Time flies. I hope you are doing well. Do you plan to deliver at GW? All the best to you and baby. They are lucky to have a mom who is so conscientious and who will always look out for them.

Thank you so much! Yes, the plan is to deliver at GW. This is my 2nd, and the OBs have told me to anticipate short labor, so hopefully the child will stay put until the time of my planned induction...because I live a long drive from GW. Since I'm expecting an induction, my hope is to schedule it so that my original OB will be there for the delivery. Though if my new OB is there, that would also be a good option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just had my first OB appointment last week. My previous OB, who is now only working at the hospital, intervened with scheduling on my behalf to get me a first trimester appointment with the new OB I preferred to see (I have a very complicated history and severe anxiety that is triggered by my past experiences at GW, so I don't just bounce around between doctors). The OB I'm now going to see through pregnancy told me that she would make sure I can have my appointments with her going forward, even if scheduling says she doesn't have anything. I don't know if all the OBs are doing that now. I'm doing ultrasounds at an outside MFM, so I can't comment on what it's like to get an ultrasound appointment.
The Bethesda office has been completely remodeled. It's almost disorienting how different it is in the waiting area. It's basically like a ghost town there now...but that also means the limited number of staff are focused on fewer tasks because their patient load is so much smaller. It's only been 1 appointment for me so far, but I'm actually quite optimistic that I will have a much better experience now than in 2019 because it's smaller.

How does it work to get ultrasounds at an outside place while having GW be your principal hospital? I delivered at GW in 2020 during the pandemic and it was totally fine - bounced around between doctors for appointments, but otherwise fine. I just called them for a second pregnancy and learned about their new system where no one will see you in person until you are like 12 weeks pregnant, including no ultrasound or prenatal testing of any sort until then.

And does anyone have any recent experience scheduling a CVS with them? Since I can't even speak to a nurse via telephone until the 8 week mark, I don't want to be in a situation where it's then too late to get her to schedule a CVS between 10-13 weeks.

Hi. I'm the author of the post you quoted. I'm now 21 weeks, still seeing a GWMFA OB at the Bethesda office and MFM at Sibley. Sibley and GW both now use Epic for their EMR, so the ultrasound report from the MFM just appears in the system where my MFA OB can see it. Sibley MFMs do require a referral from the primary OB.

I'm sorry for the frustration you are enduring about GW not even scheduling a nurse call until 8 weeks. It was the same for me, but as I posted above during the summer, my GW OB who is now only working on Labor and Delivery was responsive to my messages and intervened to get my first appointment bumped up before 12 weeks.

I assume there's a specific reason you want a CVS, and that it is likely based on your past history. If that's the case, call the triage nurse line and tell them you are worried/have anxiety [whatever applies from your past pregnancy(ies) that is the reason you want a CVS]. That might be a way to be seen sooner or get your nurse call bumped to an earlier date. Or if you have an OB you have communicated with via the portal, especially since your last pregnancy, you could try sending them a message. Final option I can think of is to get a first trimester appointment at a different OB, get the referral to outside MFM from them to get ultrasound/CVS/NIPT/whatever applies to your situation, then flip over to GW once they'll actually let you have an appointment. It is truly ridiculous that this last option even has to be considered, but we have to do what we have to do to get the care we want.

Is there any reason they'd consider you " high risk" ? They gave me a viability ultrasound at 10 weeks ( and I had ultrasounds at my fertility office at 6 and 8 weeks).. they also ordered bloodwork after the generic counseling which was before 12 weeks. I delivered in September and had great experience at gw- went through at least 3 shifts of doctor/ midwives and they were all good, nurses were amazing.