INOVA Fairfax birth stories?

[Anonymous]

My friend had a c-section there. Her MIL held her baby before she did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My friend had a c-section there. Her MIL held her baby before she did.

I'd imagine that says more about the MIL than about the hospital.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info, good and bad. The VHI site is very helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've seen "old school" procedures there that are almost never seen elsewhere.

Could you elaborate? I'm curious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My friend had a c-section there. Her MIL held her baby before she did.

I'd imagine that says more about the MIL than about the hospital.

I am not sure how this is possible unless the mother had some issue --- they wheel you into a recovery area with your baby before any other family sees you. This would be impossible unless the mother could not see the baby for some medical reason (had to have more surgery) and gave permission for MIL to see the baby.

[Anonymous]

you people, inova FX is one of the highest ranking hospitals in the nation. It's where they send high risk pregnancies. It's a good hospital.

[Anonymous]

Gave birth there last year, and it was a positive experience. Nurses were terrific, food was fine, and there were several managers who stopped in to ask how my experience was and what could be done to make my stay even better. No complaints here.

[Anonymous]

I had 2 babies at inova Fairfax. It was fine. Both were c-sections, first was scheduled, second was because of typical hospital stuff....water broke, I didn't progress quickly enough for the doctor on call, wound up with a c-section. I honestly don't think the doctor was going to let me really try for a vbac...it was kind of a lost cause. It's also very industrial, in that its a huge hospital and things are always always going. Also, the night nurses weren't that great. So, for my last baby I've switched doctors and hospitals to try to have some semblance of a birth I'm part of...and a hospital where parking is such a bitch! I know it's a great place for high risk babies, but for an average birth it can be a bit of medical overkill.

[Anonymous]

Pp here...where parking is not such a bitch that is.

[Anonymous]

I had a horrible premature birth and thought they did an outstanding job. My husband is a doctor, and he agrees. They were very accommodating and really tried to make the experience as good as possible. It was to the point my husband actually told them to stop asking what I wanted as I didn't have a birth plan and didn't care - just do what they needed to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:you people, inova FX is one of the highest ranking hospitals in the nation. It's where they send high risk pregnancies. It's a good hospital.

Again, no one's doubting whether or not it's a good hospital. OP asked why people seem down on it, and several answers have been provided. It is a birthing machine. If you want to go in, get the epidural and birth that way or have a c-section, great. If you are seeking an unmedicated, unnecessary-interventions birth because you believe that to be healthier, it's not ideal. Every hospital has a birth culture, and if you have strong feelings one way or the other, it's a good idea to know about the hospital you'll be at.

[Anonymous]

I ended up with an emergency c-section when I went in to be induced and didn't realize I was already in labor and having complications. Everyone was fabulous! The c-section went well, but what I really remember is how incredible all of the nurses were post-partum. They were so caring, considerate, and helpful. They took the time to teach me about baby care - bathing, swaddling, random tips and tricks, etc. DD had some minor issues that they were great about. The nurses just followed the pediatrician's orders, but were great about everything. The last nurse we had wasn't my favorite, but I was over-emotional about not being able to breastfeed, so that probably skewed my perception.

I also had a D&C there and the nurses couldn't have been better.

I'll be having a scheduled c-section there in a bit and have no hesitations about going back!

[Anonymous]

I'm scheduled to deliver at INOVA Fairfax and all the reviews scare me because it sounds like they are against natural birth. But, for those who delivered there and wanted a natural birth, did they actually force things against your will? I'm just trying to understand how "anti-natural" are they willing to go? I'm due the end of July so I think it may be too late to change OBs and hospitals.

[Anonymous]

Gave birth there 3 months ago and had no issues at all. The nurses were all great and the food was good. My only complaint was that the shower water didn't get very hot, but really, that's was the least of my concerns. I should note that, as a FTM, I didn't have any birth plan or any ideal of how my birth would go, so I went with the flow and 5 hours later had a baby.

[Anonymous]

I had a great overall experience at INOVA Fairfax. I knew I was likely to have a c-section, and I did, and other than the rush to surgery when it was called for which was a bit overwhelming for my husband mainly, I felt like I had everything addressed well. Kind nurses, good pain and discomfort management, good food, numerous questions about baby care answered...truly solid care.

I will say, though, for the stated reasons that I was group-B positive and my water was broken, they didn't really want me up and walking around. They stated they needed to check with my OB to ok it first, which they did, but I imagine it would have been annoying had I been set on a natural birth.

Were I going to Fairfax with a natural birth, I would want to bring a birth plan with some basics already signed by my OB to help facilitate matters.