Washington DC OB/GYN & Hospital Reccomendation Please!

[aorgad]

Hi!

I am newly pregnant (about 6 weeks) and wondering if anyone can help me find/recommend an OB/GYN in D.C. I live in Dupont Circle, so doctors who have rights to deliver or practices at Georgetown and GW are probably the most convenient. Sibley and Washington Hospital Center would also be good choices, but I know very little about any of these four hospitals or their reputations when it comes to giving birth since this is my first pregnancy.

I currently have an appointment at 10 weeks with Dr. Bowles-Johnson at Georgetown, but I don't know anything about her and have heard that the practice there is large, impersonal and frustrating, and have already had a little experience with that when I called (and I just went there for a yearly exam and met only a PA). So....I am looking around.

I would appreciate any thoughts on Georgetown (what I have heard could be totally off!), GW, Wash Hosp Center, and Sibley, as well as reccomendations for specific doctors. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance and would like to do my best to stay in-network!

Thank you!!!

[Anonymous]

I have only had one, at Sibley, but I had a great experience, and I think you will hear the same froma lot of other moms. I love my OB...Russell Bridges, at 2440 M St, NW (near Georgetown). He is a solo practitioner and I left a big, impersonal practice for him and am very happy I did.

Congrats on your pregnancy and good luck!

[Anonymous]

I have had two beautiful daughters, the first at Georgetown (because it was walking distance to the house) and the second at Sibley. I loved my nurses and Doctors at Sibley. The techs could be a bit rude, but I think you would find that anywhere. Georgetown was just a disappointment to me, I expected more. The most valid complaint I have hear from friends and co-workers is that you are not guaranteed a private at Sibley, but those who have been stuck with a roommate said it was less than 24 hours. I highly recommend Sibley!

[Anonymous]

I had a fantastic experience at Sibley last year, and love my OB Dr. Virginia Thompson (at 2440 M Street NW). She's a solo practitioner, I never waited for her an inordinate amount of time for appointments while I was pregnant, and her staff is very friendly.

[Anonymous]

I had my son at Sibley and had a great experience. I see Dr. Johnson at Reiter, Hill & Johnson. They have an office on near Dupont and Chevy Chase. http://www.rhj-obgyn.com/

[Anonymous]

I am almost 25 weeks pregnant, and just switched practices from Foxhall (delivers at Sibley) to Georgetown. I am somewhat high risk (placenta previa), and just spent the past two days in Georgetown Hospital, unfortunately! I have to say, I was a bit nervous about making the move from Sibley to Georgetown, since Georgetown is a large teaching hospital. However, after my stay there earlier this week, I can honestly say I was so incredibly impressed. The nurses were AMAZING. So caring, and so attentative- they literally went above and beyond. The doctors and residents were also very impressive- I was very surprised about how much attention I got. The rooms were comfortable, equipped with wireless internet and cable TV- very clean. I was so pleasantly surprised with the whole experience.

I think Sibley is fine for your normal, run of the mill pregnancy. But if you think you may have any complications at all, I would highly recommend Georgetown. As for me, even if my previa resolves (which hopefully it will), making my pregnancy low risk once again, I will still deliver at Georgetown after my wonderful experience there.

And FYI, I have heard good things about all the doctors at the Georgetown practice (with the exception of Dr. Wulf), and I have never waited for longer than 20 min. at any of my appts.

[Anonymous]

I go to the Georgetown practice and delivered at the hospital there last summer. The practice is busy and I guess it can feel impersonal at times, but I feel very comfortable with the technical competency of the doctors there so it was a good fit for me. I called a few times with quesitons/concerns and my calls have always been returned promptly. I scheduled all my appointments early in the morning, and only once did I have a crazy long wait, usually I waited 15 minutes or less. Georgetown is a great place for a high-risk pregnancy, and it has an excellent NICU (unfortunately I know that from personal experience). As the PP mentions, if you have an ineventful pregnancy and birth, Sibley would be just fine. I don't think they have a NICU though, I think they transfer to GUH. Also, there are 8 (or so) OBs in the practice, so you get whichever one is on call when you go into labor.

There have been some threads discussing the OBs in the Georgetown practice, so you can do a search if you are interested in staying with the practice. You can see any of the doctors, and many people rotate in order to meet all docs before the delivery. Also, there have been some negative things said about Dr Wulf. While she is not "touchy-feely" and warm, she is very competent. She ended up doing my emergency c-section and did a great job.

Good luck and congrats on your pregnancy.