Delivering at Georgetown?

[Anonymous]

If I want to deliver at Georgetown, do I have to go to the GU OB practice, or are there private practices that deliver at Georgetown? My current OB (who I love) delivers at Sibley and I'm scared about the lack of level III NICU.

[Anonymous]

I go to the GU OB practice so can't give you any recommendations, but I was curious about this recently when someone else asked this question on another thread. I don't think I've ever seen a practice mentioned here on DCUM that delivers at GUH other than the "main" practice. So I checked with my insurance listing of doctors, where you can search by hospital affiliations, and there weren't that many that are affiliated with GUH (which doesn't even mean they would be willing to deliver there, just that they have priveledges). Is there a particular reason you think your baby would need the Level III NICU? Are you high-risk etc? If not, I would stay with your current doctor, especially if you really like him/her - I personally think that the choice of the doctor is much more important than the hospital. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

OP: no, I'm not high risk and my first baby didn't have to use the NICU (I delivered in NYC). But I know so many people who've had kids in the NICU for one reason or another, it scares me to think that Sibley doesn't have those capacities. And then that I'd be separated from the baby. The whole idea just freaks me out, to be honest.

[Anonymous]

Only GUH OB's deliver at GUH. I used to work there and delivered both of my babies there...Both of my babies needed the NICU as I was high risk, and OP I totally agree, there is nothing worse than the thought of giving birth and having your baby sent by ambulance to another hospital. THe only thing I'd add is that Sibley has a level 1 or 11 NICU, and the doctors that run that NICU are GUH pediatricians. So if your baby only had mild issues (jaundice, fever) Sibley could handle it. Aslo, Sibley and GUH are less than 1-2 miles away, so god forbid baby had to go to NICU at GUH, you could get early d/c and follow baby (unless you have c-section). Sibley is lovely and most of my friends delivered there, but I'm a huge fan of GUH. Private rooms at GUH, great doctors that can handle any scenario, gorgeous campus, it's a great place despite facilities leaving a bit to be desired.