Early Pregnancy - CWC or other OBGYN?

[Anonymous]

Hello! I've just gotten a positive pregnancy test and am looking for advice about OBGYNs. This is my first pregnancy, and I feel like I have no idea what I'm doing. All my friends in DC have either never been pregnant, or had a lot of trouble TTC/serious risk factors, and ended up working with specialized providers. So I have nowhere but here to ask for advice.

I've been going to CWC in DC while TTC and have had mixed experiences. I liked both providers I have seen there, but I've found it annoyingly difficult to make appointments -- no reply when I try to make appointments through the portal (even though the answering machine always tells me to do so), long waits when calling on the phone, and inconsistent politeness from the people picking up. Then, the first provider I saw (DeSelms) was no longer with the practice when I tried to see her again, and the second (Bohan) apparently doesn't do actual pregnancies.

Now that I'm pregnant, I'm having some doubts and wondering if I should continue going to CWC, or if I should look elsewhere--and if so, where? Searching for "Capital Women's Care," I found a lot of old threads, but not a lot of newer ones.

On the one hand, I don't have any high risk factors (that I'm aware of yet / other than that I would be 35 at delivery), it's super convenient to have a metro-accessible OBGYN, and apparently CWC delivers at Sibley -- which seems to be considered a positive. On the other, I'm wondering if I should be more picky and not just go with the place that came up first in search results?

Seems like "Foxhall" is no longer delivering babies, and I'm not sure what other options may exist.

If it matters, I have GEHA insurance and live in Capitol Hill.

Also, what else do I need to be thinking about and researching at this point?

I appreciate any/all advice you can give me!

[Anonymous]

CWC is the biggest one downtown and will be fine for you. Relax.

[Anonymous]

I loved having CWC during my last pregnancy. All of those that practice OB are women, which is a huge plus in my book, and I only had trouble with appointments once (and it was when I had to move my already-scheduled appointment with my glucose test since I had COVID).

[Anonymous]

I used CWC for all 3 of mine and it was good. Once you’ve let them know you’re pregnant- you’ll be priority for all appointments & in fact they answer your calls even faster.

[Anonymous]

Just to add that when you call you can already schedule several appointments in advance. I typically picked the one I preferred the most & there was no pressure in needing to see several providers like in other practices where they force you to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just to add that when you call you can already schedule several appointments in advance. I typically picked the one I preferred the most & there was no pressure in needing to see several providers like in other practices where they force you to.

If they won't guarantee a provider when you go into labor why not meet all of the providers? Or did you do this after you had met all of them?

[Anonymous]

I've been very happy with going through pregnancies and deliveries with CWC. You definitely want to deliver at Sibley. You won't have an issue getting appointments for your prenatal care, or if you need to come in for anything urgent that comes up. Now that I'm done having babies I switched to one of the docs at CWC that doesn't do OB, and it's super easy to schedule my annuals or any issue based appointments.

[Anonymous]

OP - Thank you everyone! This makes me feel much better about what originally was a somewhat random choice.

[Anonymous]

Quick note I was informed about a week ago no CWC locations deliver at Sibley anymore. The Bethesda location merged with Rockville and now they deliver at Shady Grove. If anyone has more info on this let me know.

[Anonymous]

Oof, if that's true that CWC has left Sibley, I would look at GWU MFA if I were OP. GW and WHC are going to be the closest hospitals from the Hill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Quick note I was informed about a week ago no CWC locations deliver at Sibley anymore. The Bethesda location merged with Rockville and now they deliver at Shady Grove. If anyone has more info on this let me know.

I thought the dc location still delivers at sibley

[Anonymous]

I think the DC CWC still delivers at Sibley but I will double check at my pregnancy confirmation appointment!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Quick note I was informed about a week ago no CWC locations deliver at Sibley anymore. The Bethesda location merged with Rockville and now they deliver at Shady Grove. If anyone has more info on this let me know.

I do not believe that's true. Only the MD location stopped delivering at Sibley. DC is still at Sibley.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Quick note I was informed about a week ago no CWC locations deliver at Sibley anymore. The Bethesda location merged with Rockville and now they deliver at Shady Grove. If anyone has more info on this let me know.

Who informed of you this?

[Anonymous]

DC still delivers at Sibley as of a few days ago. I have several friends in queue to deliver. Don’t spread misinformation. Also great Maryland/Bestheda CWC is no longer there then high chance your docs from downtown CWC will be your on call OB whatever day you go in!