DC Birth Center v. Birthcare v. Whitney Pinger

[Anonymous]

Seconding PP @ 20:22. I delivered at WHC with the DCBC midwives and was cleared for discharge after 24 hours, but our pediatrician wanted our baby to stay another day. I was GBS+ but only had one dose of antibiotics before he was born, so she wanted to be sure there were no complications. If I'd had 2 doses, or hadn't been GBS+, then I think the pediatrician would've been ok discharging him after 24 hours too. Might be important to note that this was our pediatrician whose office is in the WHC complex, rather than the staff/on-call pediatrician, which could make a difference.

Also, your midwife/OB - not the hospital - sets a lot of the policies during and right after delivery. I was free to move around wherever I wanted during labor and kept the baby for about 4 hours after he was born - no immediate whisking away for tests, etc.

[Anonymous]

does anyone know whether patients of Whitney's are permitted to eat at the hospital? i know normally you're not, in case they have to do a c-section, but maybe her policy is different?
Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Yes, Whitney encourages patients to eat and drink in labor. We brought in a mini-buffet and everyone was noshing. In active labor, I only wanted quick bites (like toast and fruit) and fluids. Whitney even gave me a Coke while I was pushing to get my energy up.

[Anonymous]

As an alternative...if you're located in DC or Maryland, contact MAMAS Midwives (Erin Fulham and Mairi Breen Rothman - they have a website) or Susan Dodge, who is a solo practitioner. All three make house calls for prenatal appointments and are really fantastic.

I originally called Birthcare when I found out I was pregnant, and they referred me to MAMAS. I ended up giving birth at home with Erin Fulham as midwife and Susan Dodge as assistant (she works with MAMAS on occasion). Erin, Mairi and Susan are kind, hilarious and work well as a team. Mairi and Susan are both lactation consultants too and gave me good tips.

Getting prenatal exams at home was comfortable, convenient, and private. Birthcare is great but they're a haul if you live in DC or MD. I hear only good things about the DC Birth Center but again, there's no place like home. I highly recommend MAMAS Midwives or Susan if you are considering out-of-hospital birth.

[Anonymous]

Maybe this is a discussion that is over with but I wanted to add my two cents. Whitney delivered my baby at WHC. I *didn't* have a hep lock and everyone was great. I was in labor for 48 hours - stayed at home for the first 36 - and Whit was amazing throughout. We kept in contact via text and phone calls, she trusted my body and I trusted my birthing instincts. The experience was magical, spiritual, impossible to beat.

Whit rocks! I stayed for 2 days after and the staff was fine. Whit came to visit me and I watched CNN, ate gram crackers and milk, and bonded with my baby.

[Anonymous]

I think Whitney may have been great when she had more time but based on my experience I'd be concerned working with someone so over-extended.

I met with Whitney recently and while she seems very skilled she also seems too busy to provide good care. The wait was over two hours-- she left in the middle of our appointment (I was in chilly paper gown for about 30 mins) for another appointment. When I asked questions about pain management she said she didn't have time to talk about it. When I called concerned about severe cramping that wouldn't go away she was a helpful but a bit curt-- take tylenol and call me if it returns, bye. Maybe I'm asking too much but I was a bit freaked out and there was very little empathy from her. I think because she is over-extended she is also forgetful-- sending emails without attachments, telling me about events without mentioning the date, time, etc. The hospital couldn't make follow-up appts with her because her schedule was so hectic so Whitney had to to do it. After asking her and reminding her about my follow-up appointment, 3 weeks went by without a response. That's when I decided to find a new provider. She's bringing on an assistant, which should help her become less busy- but it also means you may work with her or her brand new assistant and there's no way to really know which. She also *insists* that you hire a doula if you work with her. While I might want a doula anyway it's tough that working with Whitney means it's not really your decision and there's a necessary additional $1,000 fee.

I understand she may be great in labor but you're pregnant for 9 months and I think should have caring, responsive care throughout. Whitney does not seem able to provide this right now.

[Anonymous]

I VBAC'd at WHC with the DC Birth Center midwives and thought that the care during pregnancy and the delivery care were top notch. I had switched from Georgetown when I couldn't deal with an always lost chart or 2 minute appointments (including after a car accident). They have one of the midwives formerly at Gtown on staff. Not quite sure why they are being portrayed as 3rd rate or only worth a try if you want a water birth.

Re: getting discharged from WHC, a friend had a failed induction/VBAC on Saturday night and went home first thing Monday morning, so less than 36 ours later even with a c-section. If you and the baby are healthy the ped practice should sign off. It is a very high volume hospital and they need your bed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think Whitney may have been great when she had more time but based on my experience I'd be concerned working with someone so over-extended.

I met with Whitney recently and while she seems very skilled she also seems too busy to provide good care. The wait was over two hours-- ...... She also *insists* that you hire a doula if you work with her. While I might want a doula anyway it's tough that working with Whitney means it's not really your decision and there's a necessary additional $1,000 fee.
.

When your wait was over 2 hours were you waiting in the G level Labor and Delivery area or at her private office in the Physicians Office Building 4th floor? My first couple of appts were at L&D and were both over 1.5 hours or more. Since then she recommended that I meet with her at the POB office (same building in the hospital different location) and I've never waited more than 5 minutes each visit. Similarly, I go to see the perinatal docs periodically for monitoring at WHC and the wait there averages 2 hours also....seems to be a common WHC scheduling problem and it is very frustrating. So look into meeting with her in her office in the POB building instead...avoid appts in L&D if at all possible.

I didn't know about the doula requirement...I believe she had a birthing assistant on staff but that woman is relocating from the area soon so perhaps that is why. I had planned to use and booked a doula before I even decided to use Whitney so it wasn't an issue.

I do admit she seems overwhelmed sometimes (but frankly no more so than any other OB and/or midwife practice I went to previously where I felt like a number) . She has been however readily available and responsive by email and cell which is more than I can say for other OB practices I was at previously and she has provided better personalized care than other overwhelmed OBs I saw previously. I also appreciate the time that she spent getting to know me and my husband personally in appts.

[Anonymous]

I used BirthCare in VA twice and was happy, but I disliked the commute in traffic during appointments coming from both DC & MD (especially while in labor!). The other thing is that Marsha and Alice (the co-founders of BirthCare) are amazing, but they just lost 2 amazing midwives who were replaced by new midwives (may be amazing, too, but I don't know).

Another idea to consider is using one of the two BirthCare midwives who left BirthCare. They have amazing experience (from BirthCare for years and years) and they come to your home for appointments! Amazing concept. Erin Fulham (MAMAs Midwives) and Susan Dodge (don't know her practice name). Note that BirthCare takes a very large number of patients every month (around 25) and therefore sometimes cannot come immediately when you are in labor. My BirthCare midwife missed my birth even though I called her 2 hours earlier because she had 2 other women in labor and there were no other midwives on call. Of course, I had a very short labor - irrelevant for a first time mom.