Delivering at Shady Grove Hospital versus Medstar Georgetown

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I chose shady grove rather than Georgetown for a couple reasons,1) Georgetown doesn’t do any abortions and I was worried about wanting one in case of chromosomal issues or other family genetic issues, 2) I didn’t want a resident to operate on me nor did I want residents in the room at all, 3) I wanted to choose my c section ob, which I planned on scheduling due to previous birth injury and that ob was at shady grove.

Of course it never goes to plan. I ended up having another vaginal birth but thankfully the ob who I had never met before (part of capital womens) was able to help me deliver easily and fix some of my previous injuries. I am so, so grateful to him — I will never forget how much he positively changed my postpartum period.

The nurses there were fine but I wasn’t super impressed.

OP here. Thanks so much for sharing this experience. You are the first one to comment directly on your experience at Shady Grove so this is helpful. So glad you had a redeeming second vaginal birth!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I chose shady grove rather than Georgetown for a couple reasons,1) Georgetown doesn’t do any abortions and I was worried about wanting one in case of chromosomal issues or other family genetic issues, 2) I didn’t want a resident to operate on me nor did I want residents in the room at all, 3) I wanted to choose my c section ob, which I planned on scheduling due to previous birth injury and that ob was at shady grove.

Of course it never goes to plan. I ended up having another vaginal birth but thankfully the ob who I had never met before (part of capital womens) was able to help me deliver easily and fix some of my previous injuries. I am so, so grateful to him — I will never forget how much he positively changed my postpartum period.

The nurses there were fine but I wasn’t super impressed.

Really sorry about your birth injuries— I’m glad they did a better perineal repair this time.

OP - Georgetown allowed a resident to place my epidural after I specifically asked at a prenatal appointment that no residents be involved in the activ portions of my care (spinal, delivery, repair) and was told that would request would be documented in writing and honored. (That epidural failed and had to be placed a second time.) I was also horribly repaired by a new attending at Georgetown when I sustained a second degree tear — he was new in 2021, and sewed my perineal skin, but not the muscles back together. I raised the issue repeatedly at follow ups and was told I had healed beautifully, until a urogyn told me it was completely split and I needed a perineoplasty and rectocele repair at 8 months postpartum, which I still haven’t gotten because pelvic floor reconstruction in your 30s as a working mother with a young child is incredibly challenging in terms of time off. Your mileage may vary, but I would expect hiccups anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I chose shady grove rather than Georgetown for a couple reasons,1) Georgetown doesn’t do any abortions and I was worried about wanting one in case of chromosomal issues or other family genetic issues, 2) I didn’t want a resident to operate on me nor did I want residents in the room at all, 3) I wanted to choose my c section ob, which I planned on scheduling due to previous birth injury and that ob was at shady grove.

Of course it never goes to plan. I ended up having another vaginal birth but thankfully the ob who I had never met before (part of capital womens) was able to help me deliver easily and fix some of my previous injuries. I am so, so grateful to him — I will never forget how much he positively changed my postpartum period.

The nurses there were fine but I wasn’t super impressed.

Really sorry about your birth injuries— I’m glad they did a better perineal repair this time.

OP - Georgetown allowed a resident to place my epidural after I specifically asked at a prenatal appointment that no residents be involved in the activ portions of my care (spinal, delivery, repair) and was told that would request would be documented in writing and honored. (That epidural failed and had to be placed a second time.) I was also horribly repaired by a new attending at Georgetown when I sustained a second degree tear — he was new in 2021, and sewed my perineal skin, but not the muscles back together. I raised the issue repeatedly at follow ups and was told I had healed beautifully, until a urogyn told me it was completely split and I needed a perineoplasty and rectocele repair at 8 months postpartum, which I still haven’t gotten because pelvic floor reconstruction in your 30s as a working mother with a young child is incredibly challenging in terms of time off. Your mileage may vary, but I would expect hiccups anywhere.

OP here - so sorry to hear about your experience. That is completely unacceptable on both counts. I wonder if they've changed their policy about being able to decline residents because my MFM doctor has been telling me that I won't have that option (possibly because they've been bad about honoring it in the past and maybe they've done away with it?). But maybe I'll ask the OB with whom I will have my first "regular" OB appointment that question as well. In any case, since they told you it was no problem, it should not have been a problem.

I don't know if you are willing to name names, but is the "new in 2021" doctor Nicholas Hazen by any chance? I was looking at the male doctors on their website as soon as I read your story and based on the timeline figured it might be him. Not that I can control who would be the attending the day I deliver, but it would still be good to know, if you are comfortable.

Wishing you luck in getting this repair done when you get a chance. So sorry it turned out that way for you.

[Anonymous]

Anesthesia places the epidural, not the OB.

[Anonymous]

Only anecdotal but my friend had a bad experience at Georgetown 8 years ago- she pushed for too long so had to have emergency c section.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anesthesia places the epidural, not the OB.

assuming anesthesia department has residents at Georgetown too, who may be placing epidurals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anesthesia places the epidural, not the OB.

assuming anesthesia department has residents at Georgetown too, who may be placing epidurals.

OP here - yes, this is correct. Anesthesia has residents at Georgetown as well, and they are often tasked with placing an epidural.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I delivered at Gtown. No experience with Shady Grove. Pros of Gtown is the nicu. Hopefully you won’t need it but if baby does you’ll both be in the same hospital. That said it is a teaching hospital so expect a lot of people in the room. I think for mine there was the doctor a resident two med students and the nurse plus the pediatrician, ped resident and another med student. Plus someone doing research kept coming in to ask if I’d join a study. Overall a good experience but not for someone uncomfortable with a lot of strangers around

Agree with this comment.

I delivered at Georgetown years ago. I am very modest and to me, there were a lot of people around before, during, and after delivery (and at the moment, you just want to get through the delivery so your really don't care!) as it's a teaching hospital. That said, I never felt lonely for medical check-ins or abandoned! Of note, even with a problem-free pregnancy until the final 24 hours, there were unforeseen complications and our newborn needed the highest level NICU (then level III; pre-level level IV which it is now) with an ECMO station. Thankfully, that was an elevator ride away and he was immediately cared for. After a couple week stay, he came home and seen for a number of months for OT, PT, audiology services at GUH. I am not in the medical field, but I believe that without a doubt, their immediate and 24/7 care saved his life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I delivered at Gtown. No experience with Shady Grove. Pros of Gtown is the nicu. Hopefully you won’t need it but if baby does you’ll both be in the same hospital. That said it is a teaching hospital so expect a lot of people in the room. I think for mine there was the doctor a resident two med students and the nurse plus the pediatrician, ped resident and another med student. Plus someone doing research kept coming in to ask if I’d join a study. Overall a good experience but not for someone uncomfortable with a lot of strangers around

Agree with this comment.

I delivered at Georgetown years ago. I am very modest and to me, there were a lot of people around before, during, and after delivery (and at the moment, you just want to get through the delivery so your really don't care!) as it's a teaching hospital. That said, I never felt lonely for medical check-ins or abandoned! Of note, even with a problem-free pregnancy until the final 24 hours, there were unforeseen complications and our newborn needed the highest level NICU (then level III; pre-level level IV which it is now) with an ECMO station. Thankfully, that was an elevator ride away and he was immediately cared for. After a couple week stay, he came home and seen for a number of months for OT, PT, audiology services at GUH. I am not in the medical field, but I believe that without a doubt, their immediate and 24/7 care saved his life.

OP here - Thank you for sharing your story! I am so happy to hear that this immediate care made such a difference for you. Wishing you and your child the absolute best.