Really want a midwife, but can't find them at Sibley with Bluecross - any suggestions?

[jessmatlock]

We live in Glover Park, DC and I keep hearing that Sibley is a great hospital to deliver at, but I can't find a mid-wife that delivers there that is covered under BlueCross. My friends told me to try the "physician and midwife collaborative practice", but they are about 30-35 mins away and deliver at Fairfax hospital (i think). Is a hospital 40-45 mins away too far for my first child?

[Anonymous]

They deliver at INOVA Alexandria, and no it's not too far.

[jessmatlock]

Is that a good hospital? How does it rank compared to Sibley?

[Anonymous]

There is nothing special about Sibley. In fact, I would say that Sibley is not especially good for a natural/midwife-type childbirth. They are also not the best for breastfeeding support. Physician's and Midwives are a tad better, however they have policies that are not the best.

If you want a midwife, but want to deliver in a hospital, you have two fantastic choices: the DC Birth Center midwives at Washington Hospital Center, or Midwifery Care Assoicates who deliver at Shady Grove. These are both VERY GOOD choices if you want a midwife supported birth at a very good hospital. Even if it takes you 45 minutes to get to these places, it is no problem for a first time mom. First babies take a long time to come out! It would be extremely unusual if you didn't have time to get to the hospital.

[jessmatlock]

THANK you... if anyone reading this has more info on these 2 locations, please let me know!

[Anonymous]

16:49, would you please elaborate on the "not the best" policies at P&M? TIA.

[Anonymous]

DC Birth Center can be found by calling the developing families center www.developingfamilies.org. You have to go to prenatal appointments at the birth center in NE DC. You can choose to deliver either at the Birth Center, or at Washington Hospital Center.

Midwifery Care Associates have their office at the old birth center in Bethesda, where they do all of their prenatal appointments. They only do hospital births at Shady Grove (no birth center deliveries anymore). www.midwiferycareassociates.com.


Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I live near Sibley but chose to go wtih WHC because my midwife practices there (and only there). The most important relationship is with your primary provider. There will be pros and cons of nursing staff and facilites no matter where you go. Now that I've been to WHC for prenatal services like ultrasounds and an early scare, i'm very reassured that we will have a fantastic experience! Good luck to you in making your choice!

[Anonymous]

There is another midwife who delivers at Washington Hospital Center - Whitney Pinger - on staff at WHC. I don't have firsthand experience with her, but a few women in my prenatal yoga class are her clients, and they give her rave reviews.

Also check out www.birthoptionsalliance.org for midwife listings, and you can join the Birth Options Alliance Yahoo Groups mailing list, where there are tons of kind, helpful, knowledgeable folks (including midwives and doulas) who can also answer your questions about area midwife practices.