Recent sibley hospital delivery experience / Dr Robert Footer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I am so glad you had a good delivery. But you can't assume that because you didn't have a CS, Dr. Footer doesn't perform them on over 1/3 of his patients. That is a statistical fact. I had an unplanned CS with him for positioning issues. I had the same issues the second time and delivered med free with the MWs at GW. It isn't how a provider handles the births that go well that determines their CS rate. It is their willingness to be involved and patient on the slower, harder births. I would also mention that Dr. Footer routinely closes CSs with single sutures, which makes VBAC less safe and IMO is completely unsupportive of a woman's efforts to VBAC next time.

But I will agree with you on Sibley's PP care. Wow. That was awful.

I was in labor for more than 50 hours and pushed for 2 hours before Dr. Footer mentioned a c-section. He was absolutely wonderful the whole time. He came to the hospital at around 6pm (I had already been there for a couple of hours) and stayed at the hospital all night, checking on me periodically (they apparently have beds for doctors...who knew?!). At my 2-week post partum appointment he did suggest he is a fan of c-sections, but it never came through while we discussed my birth plan or during my labor itself. I have a friend who also had a very long labor with him and delivered her baby unmedicated. Both she and I were more than a week past our due dates -I like it that he doesn't rush to induce like many of my friends' doctors. He'll let you go 2 weeks past due as long as you and hte baby are health.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I too had a c-section with Dr. Footer, my choice because I had a C-section with my first child. He didn't try to influence my decision one way or another. I delivered at Holy Cross, and had a great postpartum experience, but a few friends of mine who have delivered at Sibley have reported similar stories of woe. Anyway, back to Dr. Footer. He was wonderful, both when helping me through my first miscarriage, and then when delivering my second baby. Wonderful doctor!

I think you may be talking about the other Dr. Footer (Richard?) who is Dr. Robert Footer's cousin. Dr. Robert Footer only delivers at Sibley.

[Anonymous]

OP not sure if you realize this but the nurses who care for patients in shared rooms also care for patients in the private rooms. they're all the same...so they weren't being nicer to you just because you switched rooms.

[Anonymous]

Just had a c-section with Dr. Robert Footer and Dr. DeSouza assisted him. Dr. Footer was absolutely wonderful. He truly cares about his patients. I had to have a c-section because of my condition. Sibley postpartum was ok. Stayed in a private room for 3 nights . The day shift nurses were more helpful than the evening and weekend nurses. Weekend evening nurses were not helpful at all.

[Anonymous]

I delivedred my first with Dr. Footer in 2010 and will be delivering my second with him in 2012. I had a vaginal delivery and he never pressured me through the whole process. After pushing for over 2 hours, my baby was stuck and heart rate dropping (cord loosely around the neck) and he used the suction as an alternative to going right to a c-section. The suction worked and he hasn't mentioned anything about a c-section for my second. I honestly feel like he does what is best to keep the baby and the mother safe. If the suction didn't work after three tries, I would have been fine with a c-section because I just wanted a healthy baby. He followed up with me by visiting my room the next day. He was always available to answer my phone calls and was wonderful! I really look forward to having him deliver my second.

As for sibley....we did the semi private room and lucked out and had it as private the whole time. So, that meant we had the use of both sides which was great when family came. I totally agree that the L&D nurses were AMAZING but the post-partum nurses were hit-or-miss. The lactation consultant was totally unhelpful and told me my baby had a shallow palette and gave me a nipple shield. When I saw my own LC at home when I was dismissed, she said he didn't have a shallow palette and helped me get him latched with no problem. I ended up BFing him for 12 months. I never went to the breastfeeding class. Overall, I had a positive experience at Sibley and look forward to delivering there for a second time.

[Anonymous]

Dr. Footer delivered both my DC's, who are now teens, as well as saw me through a miscarriage. I cannot say enough good things about him. With my second child, originally I had wanted a VBAC, and he said he would support my decision. However, I ended up changing my mind and having another C-section, after having premature labor/bedrest/and meds.