All women's OB group? Epidural-free in a hospital possible?

[Anonymous]

This is my first pregnancy and I'm searching for an all women's OB group serving either Holy Cross or Sibley? Does anyone have recommendations or a practice that is mostly women? I'm also wondering, is it totally unheard of to have a epidural-free birth in a hospital? I'm not really sure I want to go the midwife route, after all I've never been through this and I also don't want to travel all the way to Shady Grove for that purpose. I'm in the Kensington area off Stoneybrook. PLease, your advise, comments, recommendations would be so appreciated.

[Anonymous]

I'm not near Sibley or Holy Cross, but as for an epidural-free labor, I don't see why you would ever HAVE to have an epidural unless you get a c-sec. It's not a requirement in a hospital setting. Be sure to tell your nurses up front that you don't want to be asked about getting an epidural if you don't want them bothering you. I asked my nurses not to talk to me about an epidural unless I ask and all of my nurses respected my wishes.

[Anonymous]

Can't answer your first question, but I've had two epidural-free births in hospitals, and I didn't have to fight for them in either case. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Same as a the PP. I can't speak to the OB group, but I had an epi free birth in a hospital. They just told me I could have one if I wanted, I said thank you, and I will let them know if I want one (which I didn't). They didn't bother me after that (I delivered at Shady Grove).

[Anonymous]

I had drug free birth at GT. It is totally possible and statistically, I believe the # of drug free births are actually much higher than you might expect.

[Anonymous]

I had an epidural free birth at Sibley. I had a birth plan written out that I shared with the nurses/OB & never felt any pressure to have an epidural. Congratulations & good luck!

[Anonymous]

Drs. Sanders and Schaffel have a two-woman practice, they deliver at Sibley, and they are supportive of drug-free hospital births. They are simply wonderful. Their one downside is that they don't take insurance, so you will pay more out-of-pocket for their fees. My insurance reimburses me for their services as out-of-network providers -- about 70%. (The Sibley fees and all my labs are covered by my insurance.) They are downtown DC. Good luck!