Help! Need OB/Hospital Recommendations after many bad experiences~

[Anonymous]

Hi All,
I am 4.5 months pregnant and have had the worst luck with OB care. I am reaching out desperately for recommendations for a competent and caring OB and good place to deliver.

We started at GW...were not all that impressed, since our doc dropped the ball on 1st trimester screens and told us after it was too late. Then, the same doc basically dropped us...we found out from the receptionist that she was "no longer making appointments" for her patients. The doc never told us in person or gave us a referral.

Then we went to Reiter Hill & Johnson. We've been there three times, and have received abnormal test results and ultrasound, and have yet to see a doctor in person. I cannot believe that no doctor will take the time to sit down with us and explain what our options are. We were told by our sonographer that she could do an amnio "here and now" but we have yet to see ANY doctor face to face.

So what is a first-time mom to do? We had a second opinion on the results at Inova Fairfax perinatoloist associates today. The consult went well, but we aren't sure if we are "high risk" enough.

We feel confused, lost, and disappointed in the attention and care we've been given.

Please, Moms out there, let us know your thoughts about where to go (we live in Alexandria). Is Inova Fairfax our best bet? Should we just dump Reiter Hill?

[Anonymous]

What an awful story! I go to Drs. Sanders and Schaffel at 19th and M in the district and I love them! You will find many other DCUM fans. Their care will be exactly the opposite of what you have been experiencing. They are attentive, available and the drs themselves always call with test results. Their big drawback is that they do not participate in insurance plans (in order to give so much personal attention), so your out-of-pocket costs will be higher than they otherwise would be. I submit their bills to my insurance co. for reimbursement of out-of-network providers. Regardless of whether you go to S&S, definitely find a new OB. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

In my opinion you should definitely move on from Reiter, Hill and Johnson if you are looking for personalized care. I received an abnormal result on the triple screen. Even though I requested to speak with a doctor about the results several times, I received a call from the nurse practioner who I later learned provided me with rather misleading information. They totally kept me hanging over a long weekend. That practice has earned the reputation of being a baby farm. You will receive adequate care but you will wait and be shuffled from doctor to doctor. I found the continuity of care to be quite lacking. Good luck to you!

[Anonymous]

I, too, am in search of a good obgyn. I was going to Physicians and Midwives in Alexandria but after a recent incident I will NOT be going there any more. I know lots of women love them and have never had a problem but they did not do right by me. I have read good things on here about several doctors that deliver at Virginia Hospital Center but I have not gotten very far in my research of them yet. I understand you need some immediate assistance as you are 4+ months pregnant. Ladies, for anyone that reads this, please respond to us if you like your obgyn. Especially anyone that has had a high risk pregnancy. Baby mills need not apply!

[Anonymous]

I am so sorry! I would suggest Physicians and Midwives. I went in at 5 weeks pregnant, they saw me right away, and did a sonogram in the first appointment. I always get a call back, and they take their time. They are in Alexandria.

Again, i am sorry you have had such a crappy experience! Best to you.

[Anonymous]

PP,

We were posting at the same time. Can I ask what happened at Physicians and Midwives if you don't mind sharing?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

You might search the forum. This question is asked and answered over and over again.

Sorry about your bad experience...

[Anonymous]

19:57 poster - I really don't want to go into the details because it is a long story and still very raw for me. Suffice it to say my baby died during my 2nd trimester and they failed to provide me with appropriate care or resources. I am confident that they can provide appropriate care - as I know they have for many women - but they did not do so with me.

[Anonymous]

I am another Physicians & Midwives fan. I couldn't say enough good about them. I'm sorry PP had a bad experience; that must have been terrible. But I had the absolute opposite. I had some blips in my first pregancy, and actually found them to be overly cautious, if anything. I had a TINY amount of excess fluid, and they had me at the perinatologists for nonstress tests as soon as I could get them (I forget what the rule is-- 34 weeks, or something?). I had extra, regular ultrasounds, and they even kept me overnight at the hospital once. These were all unsolicited--just things they were cautious about at my regular appts. They encouraged but did not push all of the screening tests (I declined all of them). In a group with a number of providers, you are likely to click with some, and not with others. There really were only two that I would have been disappointed if I ended up with for delivery...but I didn't get them either time. I loved the people I did have. Oh, and I never had trouble getting convenient appointments (though I did use the Sherwood Hall office, which I think is less crowded).

[Anonymous]

If Perinatal Associates will take you, work with them. They are very committed and great.

[Anonymous]

OP: Would you be willing to share the name of the GW doc that you describe in your post? I'd like to know because I'm currently at working with a group at GW. I have had positive experiences with Dr. Macri at GW if you're open to going back there.

[Anonymous]

I am also a patient of Dr. Macri at GW and I love him. I can't say enough good things about him -- warm, friendly, attentive, careful but not alarmist.

[Anonymous]

I highly recommend OBGYN Associates located in the Holy Cross Hospital physicians' building. The two most veteran docs are Ron Jacobs and Brad Kleinman -- both are fabulous. The female docs -- Behram, Morales and Novak are also wonderful. Given the poor experiences you've had, I recommend Jacobs. He shepherded me through a difficult pregnancy after having miscarried. He did the same for my sister. He seemed genuinely concerned about my overall wellbeing and never rushed through appointments. He takes a conservative approach and I felt like he went the extra mile (in terms of tests, bloodwork, etc.) to make sure I felt comfortable throughout my pregnancy. I can't say enough good things about Jacobs and the practice (the nurses and in-house sono techs are awesome as well). It is a big practice and sometimes you have to wait a while to be seen, but that comes with territory.

Whoever you end up seeing, I suggest you schedule the majority of your appts with the same doc (as opposed to cycling throughout all the docs in a practice). I did this for my second pregnancy with Jacobs. This way, you won't feel compelled to bring a new doc up to speed in terms of your special concerns, etc.

Good luck to you.

[Anonymous]

Fair Oaks OBGYN - Dr Hodges and Dr Zaita. They are gods. Truly. I truly am not a happy pregnant person, and they are patient, wonderful and kind. Dr. Hodges has a softer bedside manner I would say, but Dr. Zaita delivered my first born and she was phenomenal. I don't know that I could have made it through the very difficult delivery without her. I am grateful that one of them will be delivering for me for my second child, because I couldn't trust anyone else! They only work at INOVA Fair Oaks, which is actually a fantastic place too. The staff really likes Hodges and Zaita, and treat their patients very well The post-delivery rooms are all private rooms, so there's no wondering whether you can get one. Seriously, I adore them. Good luck to you.

[Anonymous]

At GW Dr. Macri and Dr. Bathgate are great and both are high risk OBs. It's hard getting through the red tape there but once you're in i've found them to be very good.