Natural birth at Georgetown

[Anonymous]

Since my pregnancy is now considered somewhat high risk, I am planning on switching OBs to one that delivers at Georgetown, just because of their top notch NICU unit. Before I had found out about my potential complications, I was planning on having a natural childbirth.
In the (hopeful) event that my pregnancy does go smoothly, is it possible to go drug-free at Georgetown? Does it help to have a doula?

[Anonymous]

I delivered at GUH last summer. I think they allow doulas (but check on that, some hospitals apparently don't) so I would definitely encourage you to at least look into it if you want to go natural. I regret not having a doula even though I never intended to have a natural birth. I ended up with a c-section due to failure to descend, and I wonder if having a doula there would've helped with proper positioning, etc. and possibly prevented the surgery. The nurses were very nice, but not particularly helpful (no one even suggested that I change positions during pushing even though it was becoming clear that the baby was getting stuck!) When I first got pitocin and started having very painful contractions (before getting the epidural) they didn't help with any breathing exercises etc. Granted, I didn't specifically ask for help (wanted that epidural!!) but it wasn't even offered. They do know what they're doing in case of emergency (which we almost had, ended up being a false alarm, but everyone acted quickly and efficiently), but they seem to be more medically minded rather than natural-birth minded.

Having said all these negative things - I do think that Georgetown is a good place for a high-risk birth. I have heard lots of good things about the MFM practice there, and the NICU is top-notch (unfortunately know that from personal experience).

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I have the same question about GW hospital.

[Anonymous]

I delivered drug free earlier this year at GT.

I had a "routine" uncomplicated pregnancy. I did not use a doula so I can not comment on this.

I have delivered twice at GT and my experience is that the labor and delivery nurses are great. They were very supportive of helping me get through my delivery without drugs and without tearing.

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy!

[Anonymous]

For the PP, would you mind saying who your OB was?

[Anonymous]

I think it would definitely help to have a doula.

[Anonymous]

I am the 21:53 poster

I had Dr Collie for my delivery. For my "regular" appointments, I used to see Buek but since he left for another role, I rotated through the practice.