GW Midwives - available?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Katie DePalma
Nora Fischer
Hannah

Katie and Hannah are incredible. Huge loss.

That actually made me tear up. Nora delivered my first and Hannah delivered my second.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I’ve spent the last 2 years researching a lot, prepping, talking to many people, etc. my c section was super traumatic and I know it’s possible for me to have another one and that’s okay cause all that matters is getting my baby here healthy and safe and at least now I know going in what to expect but there’s plenty of risks with both c sections and vaginal births and if I can avoid another c csection I will 100% try to do so. I’m pretty much set on attempting a vbac, no matter what the outcomes are of that. I mean before my first, that’s what came to mind when I thought of birth.

I appreciate the thought of trying to be transparent about possibilities during a vaginal birth but I know what I’m aiming for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I’ve spent the last 2 years researching a lot, prepping, talking to many people, etc. my c section was super traumatic and I know it’s possible for me to have another one and that’s okay cause all that matters is getting my baby here healthy and safe and at least now I know going in what to expect but there’s plenty of risks with both c sections and vaginal births and if I can avoid another c csection I will 100% try to do so. I’m pretty much set on attempting a vbac, no matter what the outcomes are of that. I mean before my first, that’s what came to mind when I thought of birth.

I appreciate the thought of trying to be transparent about possibilities during a vaginal birth but I know what I’m aiming for.

It sounds like you’re very emotionally invested in having a successful “healing” VBAC. That is not surprising given your previous traumatic delivery. But birth is an uncontrollable process. Have you addressed the trauma of your previous delivery? Have you considered that a planned C section could be an empowering and beautiful way to give birth? All modes of delivery can be traumatic, but you generally can control more variables with a planned C section than a VBAC attempt. Just a thought to consider.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I’ve spent the last 2 years researching a lot, prepping, talking to many people, etc. my c section was super traumatic and I know it’s possible for me to have another one and that’s okay cause all that matters is getting my baby here healthy and safe and at least now I know going in what to expect but there’s plenty of risks with both c sections and vaginal births and if I can avoid another c csection I will 100% try to do so. I’m pretty much set on attempting a vbac, no matter what the outcomes are of that. I mean before my first, that’s what came to mind when I thought of birth.

I appreciate the thought of trying to be transparent about possibilities during a vaginal birth but I know what I’m aiming for.

I delivered both my kids with the midwives and they are excellent and very supportive but I’ve had a few appointments with the OBs here and there for scheduling reasons. They work very closely together and GW in general is very supportive of vaginal birth in general so I don’t think you’ll get a lot of pressure to do a C section even if you continue with the OBs. Good luck and I hope things go well this time!

[Anonymous]

Recently delivered when the midwife was not available at night. The OB team at GW was phenomenal! I was able to have a VBAC, felt respected and safe.

The hard part was for me was learning to trust people I had not met before but they were were amazing!

[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.

I had a VBAC with the GW OBs - it hadn’t even been on my radar and the OB asked if I wanted it during one of my first appointments. It was twins so I had assumed I would need a c-section. Have birth at GW with successful VBAC and no pressure to have a C in 2017

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I’ve spent the last 2 years researching a lot, prepping, talking to many people, etc. my c section was super traumatic and I know it’s possible for me to have another one and that’s okay cause all that matters is getting my baby here healthy and safe and at least now I know going in what to expect but there’s plenty of risks with both c sections and vaginal births and if I can avoid another c csection I will 100% try to do so. I’m pretty much set on attempting a vbac, no matter what the outcomes are of that. I mean before my first, that’s what came to mind when I thought of birth.

I appreciate the thought of trying to be transparent about possibilities during a vaginal birth but I know what I’m aiming for.

It sounds like you’re very emotionally invested in having a successful “healing” VBAC. That is not surprising given your previous traumatic delivery. But birth is an uncontrollable process. Have you addressed the trauma of your previous delivery? Have you considered that a planned C section could be an empowering and beautiful way to give birth? All modes of delivery can be traumatic, but you generally can control more variables with a planned C section than a VBAC attempt. Just a thought to consider.

Have you considered that a VBAC could be an empowering and beautiful way to give birth?

I felt for my own birth experience that it was important to work through labor & delivery trauma before making the decision to become pregnant again, as I’m aware that I’m not impervious to the chance of experiencing another c section. It’s a very real possibility and one that I’ve accepted. But that doesn’t negate the fact that I want to attempt a vaginal birth?

Repeat c sections carry many risks that go up with every subsequent c section, some more concerning than the ones of a vaginal birth. There have been plenty of comparative studies looking at these risks and risk of uterine rupture with a VBAC is less than 1%. As I said, if I can avoid another major surgery I will absolute try.

Not sure if a negative birth experience is causing you to sound very against vaginal births and I’m sorry if that is the case but I’m prepared to take on whatever happens as I know what I’ve chosen to take on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I delivered both my kids with the midwives and they are excellent and very supportive but I’ve had a few appointments with the OBs here and there for scheduling reasons. They work very closely together and GW in general is very supportive of vaginal birth in general so I don’t think you’ll get a lot of pressure to do a C section even if you continue with the OBs. Good luck and I hope things go well this time!

Oh that’s awesome to hear! Thanks so much! I feel like often times OBs tend to push c sections without taking other approaches before getting to that point. I’ve heard so many women feel they were rushed through their labor or pressured to schedule c sections. If a c section is what someone wants, that’s great! But when it’s not, that’s where the support is needed.

Glad to know the OBs there are more supportive than most!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I’ve spent the last 2 years researching a lot, prepping, talking to many people, etc. my c section was super traumatic and I know it’s possible for me to have another one and that’s okay cause all that matters is getting my baby here healthy and safe and at least now I know going in what to expect but there’s plenty of risks with both c sections and vaginal births and if I can avoid another c csection I will 100% try to do so. I’m pretty much set on attempting a vbac, no matter what the outcomes are of that. I mean before my first, that’s what came to mind when I thought of birth.

I appreciate the thought of trying to be transparent about possibilities during a vaginal birth but I know what I’m aiming for.

It sounds like you’re very emotionally invested in having a successful “healing” VBAC. That is not surprising given your previous traumatic delivery. But birth is an uncontrollable process. Have you addressed the trauma of your previous delivery? Have you considered that a planned C section could be an empowering and beautiful way to give birth? All modes of delivery can be traumatic, but you generally can control more variables with a planned C section than a VBAC attempt. Just a thought to consider.

Have you considered that a VBAC could be an empowering and beautiful way to give birth?

I felt for my own birth experience that it was important to work through labor & delivery trauma before making the decision to become pregnant again, as I’m aware that I’m not impervious to the chance of experiencing another c section. It’s a very real possibility and one that I’ve accepted. But that doesn’t negate the fact that I want to attempt a vaginal birth?

Repeat c sections carry many risks that go up with every subsequent c section, some more concerning than the ones of a vaginal birth. There have been plenty of comparative studies looking at these risks and risk of uterine rupture with a VBAC is less than 1%. As I said, if I can avoid another major surgery I will absolute try.

Not sure if a negative birth experience is causing you to sound very against vaginal births and I’m sorry if that is the case but I’m prepared to take on whatever happens as I know what I’ve chosen to take on.

That beautiful VBAC you’re envisioning can also be extremely traumatic and involve forceps, vacuum, episiotomy, and hours of agonizing pushing. Not to mention fun things on the other side like incontinence, prolapse, and sexual function issues. No easy way to give birth and certainly C sections have risks but not nearly as inflated as what you’re saying unless you are planning to have like 6 kids. I’m not against vaginal births but I don’t like how women with traumatic C sections are made to feel like their birth needs to be “healed” by an empowering VBAC when the reality is there’s no way to guarantee your VBAC will be uncomplicated and won’t injure you.

[Anonymous]

FYI on website as of 4/28

Dear Patients,

The department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is currently unable to accept new patients for obstetrics care as well as annual gynecological visits. We apologize for this inconvenience. We plan to be able to offer new patient services again in the upcoming months.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, and for putting your trust in our care.

The GW Medical Faculty Associates
Department of OBGYN

[Anonymous]

Midwife patient here. I just VBAC’d (is that a verb?) with the OB team and they were fan-f’ing-tastic. I had a hemorrhage after delivery and felt very taken care of. My doula told me that it was the best possible care.

[Anonymous]

Hate the midwives. Google their reviews

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FYI on website as of 4/28

Dear Patients,

The department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is currently unable to accept new patients for obstetrics care as well as annual gynecological visits. We apologize for this inconvenience. We plan to be able to offer new patient services again in the upcoming months.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, and for putting your trust in our care.

The GW Medical Faculty Associates
Department of OBGYN

Not surprising at all. The MFA is crumbling across multiple departments.

[Anonymous]

Residencies typically end in the May/June time frame, so I would anticipate that MFA has some new OBGYN attendings lined up to the practice over the summer or by fall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Residencies typically end in the May/June time frame, so I would anticipate that MFA has some new OBGYN attendings lined up to the practice over the summer or by fall.

I cannot think of anything less that I would want for my birth than a line-up of brand new attending physicians with little experience.