Help - need new OB recommendation

[Anonymous]

I don't think PP is accurate-you absolutely can decline care from a resident. I would find another doctor if you are told otherwise.

[Anonymous]

You can always request a different doctor, but if a resident is the only doctor available then he/she is your doctor. In the situation described, however, your attending will be present so there wouldn't be that issue.

[Anonymous]

I've been told you can refuse a resident as well.

If one of the PPs wants a natural birth...have you looked into midwives? There are several midwife practices in NoVA...and they'll be much more natural and an advocate than a doctor. Plus will spend much more time with you. I read all the reviews when I looked at a new practice and although Dr. Tchabo sounds really good...the long waits really turned me off...especially having a toddler in tow.

GL!

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you all for your recommendations. My OB practice was Arlington Women's Center - Drs. Rossi/Crowther/Masel/Martinez & midwife Karen King. Throughout my pregnancy, the care I received was good. I always got a call back whenever I had a question, I had no problem scheduling short-notice appointments, etc. It was always rather impersonal though. At one point late in my pregnancy, I was admitted to labor & delivery at VHC due to extreme nausea because I need anti-nausea meds via an IV. I spent all day there and was never visited by a Dr. or by anyone from AWC. In retrospect I should have mentioned that to someone or asked if that was standard practice.

I went into labor around 12pm on a weekday. Over the course of the entire afternoon, I did not get visited once by anyone from my OB's office. I exclusively saw the nurse, even when it was determined that I had meconium in the amniotic fluid, when my epidural stopped working, and when my labor was not progressing. I didnt actually see a doctor at all (except for the anesthesiologist) until the nurse had "determined" I was going to need a c-section twelve hours after I was admitted. I ended up having a c-section in the middle of the night by the attending doctor - still not even a quick drop-by from any of my doctors before they left for the day. Because of the meconium, my child was intubated in the delivery room to the horror of my husband - no one had bothered explaining to us that they may have to do that. It honestly was a terrible experience. I could have gone to any random hospital in the country to have my child and I would have had the same experience. Ultimately, they were completely non-existent when I needed someone the most.

Their billing department is on top of it though - I think I got the bill before I left the hospital. Interesting how they can actually bill me for delivering my child.

[Anonymous]

Op, I am very sorry to hear about your experience. That sounds horrible. I hope you write a letter to all the doctors in the practice, detailing your experience.

As an aside, I wrote the 15:54 post and wanted to respond. As others have said, you can always decline care from a certain doctor. However, I would not go in with the mindset that you will decline care from any of the residents and will only see Tchabo. Given his schedule and his reliance on his residents, I think that could lead to a tricky, stressful situation. I would discuss this with Dr. T directly at one of your appointments rather than springing the situation during labor.
I don't know if you [the one who raised the issue] are the same poster who raised this concern in the VHC thread (regarding natural birth). All I can speak to is my own experience with the residents and Tchabo. Tchabo and his residents respected my decision for a natural birth as well. Remember, he is the boss-teacher for the residents. So, while it is certainly true that you might encounter a resident of a different mind set, that wasn't my experience. The residents gave me their opinions/recommendations, and I was free to accept or reject. They kept saying, "we recommend X, but it is your choice." I took some recommendations and rejected most others. Also the resident needed a little more help, Dr. Tchabo scrubbed in during my delivery and took over.


So, back to OP, while you can't guarantee that Tchabo will stop in to see you during your next delivery; it's likely that one of his residents will. Again, I recommend Hibshman or Tchabo, particularly for their bedside manners. Both acted as though they cared about me as more than just a womb. Although you may chose a different doctor next go round, it sounds like you could use some tender care right now.

[Anonymous]

Sorry to hijack the post as well, but I'm not happy with my OB/GYN. Any referrals for doctors within the District? I live in Alexandria, but it's much easier for me to go to the doctor in DC since I don't have a car and am bound by Metro.

I was referred to Reichter and Hill by my general doctor. Whoever posted before about not having them can you please tell me about your experience?

[Anonymous]

How is Dr. Piness during delivery? She's on her own now but apparently still has a relationship with the former partners (Rossi etc) for off-hours births.

My issue with Piness is mainly her terrible office schedule...I've waited an average of 1 hour for each appointment. People say it's worth it but I'm not sure yet.

[Anonymous]

OP, this will sound harsh but is there something to your story that you aren't telling us? Were you visited by one of the doctor's that shares coverage with AWC, like Piness or the female Dr. Martinez? It's just so incredible that no doctor would visit you for 12 hours and that a nurse would be the one to decide you needed a c-section.

I recently delivered under the care of the doctors there (seeing Martinez, Crowther, and Karen King during my relatively short labor) and the care was amazing. That's hardly proof that they couldn't fall down on the job but like you I also had excellent care throughout my pregnancy.