Washington Hospital Center: A Review

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I recently delivered a vaginal birth at Washington Hospital Center (WHC). Here's my review:

Cons:
-Food isn't great
-There are a TON of residents. Many are first years. Some are great, others are a bit immature.
-Labor suites aren't great. Some broken lights, uncomfortable chairs, a few blood splats on the floor (from a previous patient). Outdated bathrooms.
-Mobile fetal monitoring was not available (out for recalibration, apparently)
-Postpartum rooms are like prisons. Small, cramped, steel doors, outdated, walls painted drab white and grey. I struggled not to bang into our infant in these tiny rooms with everyone coming in/out. I was desperate to get out of there, ASAP.
-Baby friendly to the point where you really can't use their nursery.
-It's a high volume labor and delivery practice so the nurses do not always explain things that you need to know. They seem to take it for granted that you "know" things about the care of your infant.
-After 8 PM or so, you have to use the Emergency Department to get into the hospital. WHC is major trauma center so this place is packed w/ a lot of activity at night. It was a bit scary to my husband, tbh.

Pros:
-It's a teaching hospital. So, everyone is explaining out what they are doing to everyone else. Nurses are explaining things to residents. Residents are explaining your case to the chief resident. The chief resident and residents are discussing your case with the attending, etc. More eyes on you = less likely someone makes a mistake. Also, more opportunities to advocate for yourself at key decision points.
-My attending was phenomenal. When in doubt, ask to see the attending. They will come (because they have to). My attending has been doing deliveries for 20+ years.
-No pressure for c-sections. Staff kept telling me their goal is a vaginal birth.
-I found out attendings at WHC work on shifts and they all work for Medstar. 24 hours twice a week, then off. They have no incentive to push you into a C-Section. There is someone else who takes over for them after the shift is done. A nurse told me that at places like Sibley, the physicians work for private practices where they all share the on-call time. Let's say you're on call, have to go to a delivery, and your kid's got a recital in a few hours, you're incentived to get the delivery done ASAP (re: c-section).
-Nurses in labor and delivery are really top notch. Attentive, knowledgeable, and great bedside manner. Never seen anything like it. Seriously.
-WHC is a labor and delivery machine. They have everything done to a t and they have seen most everything - babies whose mothers are on drugs, extreme premature babies, complex c-sections, etc. When things get bad, they know what to do. Me and my little girl were facing some serious issues during delivery and it was clear when things got bad for us, WHC staff knew exactly what to do.
-National Children's is right next door. If things REALLY get bad, they can easily transfer your infant to Children's. They also can call in consults very quickly.

WHC is nothing to call home about as an experience, but if things go bad, this is the place you want to be. My little girl is about turn 1 mo. now and is happy/healthy.

A hospital is not intended to be a 4 star hotel. You and your child received the care you needed. Personally, I would be grateful and stop complaining

I guess, but places like Inova can do both. Are you a crummy doc or nurse from Howard or united medical center or pg hospital by chance? Crummy providers love to define down expectations for pts. -nurse @ Inova

Neither. Just sick of the constant complaining.

Yeah if only women would shut up about subpar facilities while their insurance pays thousands for the delivery, that would be great? What a weird take.

Sorry, but I agree with PP. Reviewing actual care? Of course. Food and rooms? Whiny.

Definitely. Women have no right to demand comfortable accommodations or decent food. Who do they think they are????

It’s a medical facility, not Salamander. And I’d find it whiny coming from a man, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I recently delivered a vaginal birth at Washington Hospital Center (WHC). Here's my review:

Cons:
-Food isn't great
-There are a TON of residents. Many are first years. Some are great, others are a bit immature.
-Labor suites aren't great. Some broken lights, uncomfortable chairs, a few blood splats on the floor (from a previous patient). Outdated bathrooms.
-Mobile fetal monitoring was not available (out for recalibration, apparently)
-Postpartum rooms are like prisons. Small, cramped, steel doors, outdated, walls painted drab white and grey. I struggled not to bang into our infant in these tiny rooms with everyone coming in/out. I was desperate to get out of there, ASAP.
-Baby friendly to the point where you really can't use their nursery.
-It's a high volume labor and delivery practice so the nurses do not always explain things that you need to know. They seem to take it for granted that you "know" things about the care of your infant.
-After 8 PM or so, you have to use the Emergency Department to get into the hospital. WHC is major trauma center so this place is packed w/ a lot of activity at night. It was a bit scary to my husband, tbh.

Pros:
-It's a teaching hospital. So, everyone is explaining out what they are doing to everyone else. Nurses are explaining things to residents. Residents are explaining your case to the chief resident. The chief resident and residents are discussing your case with the attending, etc. More eyes on you = less likely someone makes a mistake. Also, more opportunities to advocate for yourself at key decision points.
-My attending was phenomenal. When in doubt, ask to see the attending. They will come (because they have to). My attending has been doing deliveries for 20+ years.
-No pressure for c-sections. Staff kept telling me their goal is a vaginal birth.
-I found out attendings at WHC work on shifts and they all work for Medstar. 24 hours twice a week, then off. They have no incentive to push you into a C-Section. There is someone else who takes over for them after the shift is done. A nurse told me that at places like Sibley, the physicians work for private practices where they all share the on-call time. Let's say you're on call, have to go to a delivery, and your kid's got a recital in a few hours, you're incentived to get the delivery done ASAP (re: c-section).
-Nurses in labor and delivery are really top notch. Attentive, knowledgeable, and great bedside manner. Never seen anything like it. Seriously.
-WHC is a labor and delivery machine. They have everything done to a t and they have seen most everything - babies whose mothers are on drugs, extreme premature babies, complex c-sections, etc. When things get bad, they know what to do. Me and my little girl were facing some serious issues during delivery and it was clear when things got bad for us, WHC staff knew exactly what to do.
-National Children's is right next door. If things REALLY get bad, they can easily transfer your infant to Children's. They also can call in consults very quickly.

WHC is nothing to call home about as an experience, but if things go bad, this is the place you want to be. My little girl is about turn 1 mo. now and is happy/healthy.

A hospital is not intended to be a 4 star hotel. You and your child received the care you needed. Personally, I would be grateful and stop complaining

I guess, but places like Inova can do both. Are you a crummy doc or nurse from Howard or united medical center or pg hospital by chance? Crummy providers love to define down expectations for pts. -nurse @ Inova

Neither. Just sick of the constant complaining.

Yeah if only women would shut up about subpar facilities while their insurance pays thousands for the delivery, that would be great? What a weird take.

Sorry, but I agree with PP. Reviewing actual care? Of course. Food and rooms? Whiny.

Blood on the floor of the room isn’t just poor housekeeping it’s potentially hazardous, so “actual care”. It’s indicative of adherence to sanitation protocols— also “actual care”.

As for food, many women don’t have someone to run down for DoorDash or have been fasting due to a c-section or prolonged labor. The fact that you think they’re not entitled to a decent meal says more about you than about the women writing here. I promise you WHC charges the same amount to your insurance as a hospital that would give you something better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I recently delivered a vaginal birth at Washington Hospital Center (WHC). Here's my review:

Cons:
-Food isn't great
-There are a TON of residents. Many are first years. Some are great, others are a bit immature.
-Labor suites aren't great. Some broken lights, uncomfortable chairs, a few blood splats on the floor (from a previous patient). Outdated bathrooms.
-Mobile fetal monitoring was not available (out for recalibration, apparently)
-Postpartum rooms are like prisons. Small, cramped, steel doors, outdated, walls painted drab white and grey. I struggled not to bang into our infant in these tiny rooms with everyone coming in/out. I was desperate to get out of there, ASAP.
-Baby friendly to the point where you really can't use their nursery.
-It's a high volume labor and delivery practice so the nurses do not always explain things that you need to know. They seem to take it for granted that you "know" things about the care of your infant.
-After 8 PM or so, you have to use the Emergency Department to get into the hospital. WHC is major trauma center so this place is packed w/ a lot of activity at night. It was a bit scary to my husband, tbh.

Pros:
-It's a teaching hospital. So, everyone is explaining out what they are doing to everyone else. Nurses are explaining things to residents. Residents are explaining your case to the chief resident. The chief resident and residents are discussing your case with the attending, etc. More eyes on you = less likely someone makes a mistake. Also, more opportunities to advocate for yourself at key decision points.
-My attending was phenomenal. When in doubt, ask to see the attending. They will come (because they have to). My attending has been doing deliveries for 20+ years.
-No pressure for c-sections. Staff kept telling me their goal is a vaginal birth.
-I found out attendings at WHC work on shifts and they all work for Medstar. 24 hours twice a week, then off. They have no incentive to push you into a C-Section. There is someone else who takes over for them after the shift is done. A nurse told me that at places like Sibley, the physicians work for private practices where they all share the on-call time. Let's say you're on call, have to go to a delivery, and your kid's got a recital in a few hours, you're incentived to get the delivery done ASAP (re: c-section).
-Nurses in labor and delivery are really top notch. Attentive, knowledgeable, and great bedside manner. Never seen anything like it. Seriously.
-WHC is a labor and delivery machine. They have everything done to a t and they have seen most everything - babies whose mothers are on drugs, extreme premature babies, complex c-sections, etc. When things get bad, they know what to do. Me and my little girl were facing some serious issues during delivery and it was clear when things got bad for us, WHC staff knew exactly what to do.
-National Children's is right next door. If things REALLY get bad, they can easily transfer your infant to Children's. They also can call in consults very quickly.

WHC is nothing to call home about as an experience, but if things go bad, this is the place you want to be. My little girl is about turn 1 mo. now and is happy/healthy.

A hospital is not intended to be a 4 star hotel. You and your child received the care you needed. Personally, I would be grateful and stop complaining

I guess, but places like Inova can do both. Are you a crummy doc or nurse from Howard or united medical center or pg hospital by chance? Crummy providers love to define down expectations for pts. -nurse @ Inova

Neither. Just sick of the constant complaining.

Yeah if only women would shut up about subpar facilities while their insurance pays thousands for the delivery, that would be great? What a weird take.

Sorry, but I agree with PP. Reviewing actual care? Of course. Food and rooms? Whiny.

Definitely. Women have no right to demand comfortable accommodations or decent food. Who do they think they are????

It’s a medical facility, not Salamander. And I’d find it whiny coming from a man, too.

So…all of the area hospitals that allow patients a decent meal and clean rooms are…what? Not medical facilities? Pretend medical facilities?

[Anonymous]

I get what OP is saying, WHC is not fancy but glad to have delivered her baby there.

I also went to a teaching hospital for the same reasons for my deliveries. Obstetrics is an area where lots of life and death situations can all of a sudden develop and its best to be somewhere where you have all the docs in house (ob, anesthesia etc). Signed, a doc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I recently delivered a vaginal birth at Washington Hospital Center (WHC). Here's my review:

Cons:
-Food isn't great
-There are a TON of residents. Many are first years. Some are great, others are a bit immature.
-Labor suites aren't great. Some broken lights, uncomfortable chairs, a few blood splats on the floor (from a previous patient). Outdated bathrooms.
-Mobile fetal monitoring was not available (out for recalibration, apparently)
-Postpartum rooms are like prisons. Small, cramped, steel doors, outdated, walls painted drab white and grey. I struggled not to bang into our infant in these tiny rooms with everyone coming in/out. I was desperate to get out of there, ASAP.
-Baby friendly to the point where you really can't use their nursery.
-It's a high volume labor and delivery practice so the nurses do not always explain things that you need to know. They seem to take it for granted that you "know" things about the care of your infant.
-After 8 PM or so, you have to use the Emergency Department to get into the hospital. WHC is major trauma center so this place is packed w/ a lot of activity at night. It was a bit scary to my husband, tbh.

Pros:
-It's a teaching hospital. So, everyone is explaining out what they are doing to everyone else. Nurses are explaining things to residents. Residents are explaining your case to the chief resident. The chief resident and residents are discussing your case with the attending, etc. More eyes on you = less likely someone makes a mistake. Also, more opportunities to advocate for yourself at key decision points.
-My attending was phenomenal. When in doubt, ask to see the attending. They will come (because they have to). My attending has been doing deliveries for 20+ years.
-No pressure for c-sections. Staff kept telling me their goal is a vaginal birth.
-I found out attendings at WHC work on shifts and they all work for Medstar. 24 hours twice a week, then off. They have no incentive to push you into a C-Section. There is someone else who takes over for them after the shift is done. A nurse told me that at places like Sibley, the physicians work for private practices where they all share the on-call time. Let's say you're on call, have to go to a delivery, and your kid's got a recital in a few hours, you're incentived to get the delivery done ASAP (re: c-section).
-Nurses in labor and delivery are really top notch. Attentive, knowledgeable, and great bedside manner. Never seen anything like it. Seriously.
-WHC is a labor and delivery machine. They have everything done to a t and they have seen most everything - babies whose mothers are on drugs, extreme premature babies, complex c-sections, etc. When things get bad, they know what to do. Me and my little girl were facing some serious issues during delivery and it was clear when things got bad for us, WHC staff knew exactly what to do.
-National Children's is right next door. If things REALLY get bad, they can easily transfer your infant to Children's. They also can call in consults very quickly.

WHC is nothing to call home about as an experience, but if things go bad, this is the place you want to be. My little girl is about turn 1 mo. now and is happy/healthy.

A hospital is not intended to be a 4 star hotel. You and your child received the care you needed. Personally, I would be grateful and stop complaining

I guess, but places like Inova can do both. Are you a crummy doc or nurse from Howard or united medical center or pg hospital by chance? Crummy providers love to define down expectations for pts. -nurse @ Inova

Neither. Just sick of the constant complaining.

Yeah if only women would shut up about subpar facilities while their insurance pays thousands for the delivery, that would be great? What a weird take.

Sorry, but I agree with PP. Reviewing actual care? Of course. Food and rooms? Whiny.

Blood on the floor of the room isn’t just poor housekeeping it’s potentially hazardous, so “actual care”. It’s indicative of adherence to sanitation protocols— also “actual care”.

As for food, many women don’t have someone to run down for DoorDash or have been fasting due to a c-section or prolonged labor. The fact that you think they’re not entitled to a decent meal says more about you than about the women writing here. I promise you WHC charges the same amount to your insurance as a hospital that would give you something better.

Of course sanitation is relevant. But paint colors and “outdated bathrooms”? Are we talking chamber pots?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I recently delivered a vaginal birth at Washington Hospital Center (WHC). Here's my review:

Cons:
-Food isn't great
-There are a TON of residents. Many are first years. Some are great, others are a bit immature.
-Labor suites aren't great. Some broken lights, uncomfortable chairs, a few blood splats on the floor (from a previous patient). Outdated bathrooms.
-Mobile fetal monitoring was not available (out for recalibration, apparently)
-Postpartum rooms are like prisons. Small, cramped, steel doors, outdated, walls painted drab white and grey. I struggled not to bang into our infant in these tiny rooms with everyone coming in/out. I was desperate to get out of there, ASAP.
-Baby friendly to the point where you really can't use their nursery.
-It's a high volume labor and delivery practice so the nurses do not always explain things that you need to know. They seem to take it for granted that you "know" things about the care of your infant.
-After 8 PM or so, you have to use the Emergency Department to get into the hospital. WHC is major trauma center so this place is packed w/ a lot of activity at night. It was a bit scary to my husband, tbh.

Pros:
-It's a teaching hospital. So, everyone is explaining out what they are doing to everyone else. Nurses are explaining things to residents. Residents are explaining your case to the chief resident. The chief resident and residents are discussing your case with the attending, etc. More eyes on you = less likely someone makes a mistake. Also, more opportunities to advocate for yourself at key decision points.
-My attending was phenomenal. When in doubt, ask to see the attending. They will come (because they have to). My attending has been doing deliveries for 20+ years.
-No pressure for c-sections. Staff kept telling me their goal is a vaginal birth.
-I found out attendings at WHC work on shifts and they all work for Medstar. 24 hours twice a week, then off. They have no incentive to push you into a C-Section. There is someone else who takes over for them after the shift is done. A nurse told me that at places like Sibley, the physicians work for private practices where they all share the on-call time. Let's say you're on call, have to go to a delivery, and your kid's got a recital in a few hours, you're incentived to get the delivery done ASAP (re: c-section).
-Nurses in labor and delivery are really top notch. Attentive, knowledgeable, and great bedside manner. Never seen anything like it. Seriously.
-WHC is a labor and delivery machine. They have everything done to a t and they have seen most everything - babies whose mothers are on drugs, extreme premature babies, complex c-sections, etc. When things get bad, they know what to do. Me and my little girl were facing some serious issues during delivery and it was clear when things got bad for us, WHC staff knew exactly what to do.
-National Children's is right next door. If things REALLY get bad, they can easily transfer your infant to Children's. They also can call in consults very quickly.

WHC is nothing to call home about as an experience, but if things go bad, this is the place you want to be. My little girl is about turn 1 mo. now and is happy/healthy.

A hospital is not intended to be a 4 star hotel. You and your child received the care you needed. Personally, I would be grateful and stop complaining

I guess, but places like Inova can do both. Are you a crummy doc or nurse from Howard or united medical center or pg hospital by chance? Crummy providers love to define down expectations for pts. -nurse @ Inova

Neither. Just sick of the constant complaining.

Yeah if only women would shut up about subpar facilities while their insurance pays thousands for the delivery, that would be great? What a weird take.

Sorry, but I agree with PP. Reviewing actual care? Of course. Food and rooms? Whiny.

Blood on the floor of the room isn’t just poor housekeeping it’s potentially hazardous, so “actual care”. It’s indicative of adherence to sanitation protocols— also “actual care”.

As for food, many women don’t have someone to run down for DoorDash or have been fasting due to a c-section or prolonged labor. The fact that you think they’re not entitled to a decent meal says more about you than about the women writing here. I promise you WHC charges the same amount to your insurance as a hospital that would give you something better.

Of course sanitation is relevant. But paint colors and “outdated bathrooms”? Are we talking chamber pots?

Ok so you agree this isn’t “whining”. Great.

As for the bathrooms, I don’t know when (or if) you delivered babies, but I spent about 2/3 of active labor in the shower. Not having up to date labor facilities is, again, care. Not being able to take a shower in decent facilities after delivering a baby is, in fact, care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I recently delivered a vaginal birth at Washington Hospital Center (WHC). Here's my review:

Cons:
-Food isn't great
-There are a TON of residents. Many are first years. Some are great, others are a bit immature.
-Labor suites aren't great. Some broken lights, uncomfortable chairs, a few blood splats on the floor (from a previous patient). Outdated bathrooms.
-Mobile fetal monitoring was not available (out for recalibration, apparently)
-Postpartum rooms are like prisons. Small, cramped, steel doors, outdated, walls painted drab white and grey. I struggled not to bang into our infant in these tiny rooms with everyone coming in/out. I was desperate to get out of there, ASAP.
-Baby friendly to the point where you really can't use their nursery.
-It's a high volume labor and delivery practice so the nurses do not always explain things that you need to know. They seem to take it for granted that you "know" things about the care of your infant.
-After 8 PM or so, you have to use the Emergency Department to get into the hospital. WHC is major trauma center so this place is packed w/ a lot of activity at night. It was a bit scary to my husband, tbh.

Pros:
-It's a teaching hospital. So, everyone is explaining out what they are doing to everyone else. Nurses are explaining things to residents. Residents are explaining your case to the chief resident. The chief resident and residents are discussing your case with the attending, etc. More eyes on you = less likely someone makes a mistake. Also, more opportunities to advocate for yourself at key decision points.
-My attending was phenomenal. When in doubt, ask to see the attending. They will come (because they have to). My attending has been doing deliveries for 20+ years.
-No pressure for c-sections. Staff kept telling me their goal is a vaginal birth.
-I found out attendings at WHC work on shifts and they all work for Medstar. 24 hours twice a week, then off. They have no incentive to push you into a C-Section. There is someone else who takes over for them after the shift is done. A nurse told me that at places like Sibley, the physicians work for private practices where they all share the on-call time. Let's say you're on call, have to go to a delivery, and your kid's got a recital in a few hours, you're incentived to get the delivery done ASAP (re: c-section).
-Nurses in labor and delivery are really top notch. Attentive, knowledgeable, and great bedside manner. Never seen anything like it. Seriously.
-WHC is a labor and delivery machine. They have everything done to a t and they have seen most everything - babies whose mothers are on drugs, extreme premature babies, complex c-sections, etc. When things get bad, they know what to do. Me and my little girl were facing some serious issues during delivery and it was clear when things got bad for us, WHC staff knew exactly what to do.
-National Children's is right next door. If things REALLY get bad, they can easily transfer your infant to Children's. They also can call in consults very quickly.

WHC is nothing to call home about as an experience, but if things go bad, this is the place you want to be. My little girl is about turn 1 mo. now and is happy/healthy.

A hospital is not intended to be a 4 star hotel. You and your child received the care you needed. Personally, I would be grateful and stop complaining

I guess, but places like Inova can do both. Are you a crummy doc or nurse from Howard or united medical center or pg hospital by chance? Crummy providers love to define down expectations for pts. -nurse @ Inova

Neither. Just sick of the constant complaining.

Yeah if only women would shut up about subpar facilities while their insurance pays thousands for the delivery, that would be great? What a weird take.

Sorry, but I agree with PP. Reviewing actual care? Of course. Food and rooms? Whiny.

Blood on the floor of the room isn’t just poor housekeeping it’s potentially hazardous, so “actual care”. It’s indicative of adherence to sanitation protocols— also “actual care”.

As for food, many women don’t have someone to run down for DoorDash or have been fasting due to a c-section or prolonged labor. The fact that you think they’re not entitled to a decent meal says more about you than about the women writing here. I promise you WHC charges the same amount to your insurance as a hospital that would give you something better.

Of course sanitation is relevant. But paint colors and “outdated bathrooms”? Are we talking chamber pots?

I had some serious postpartum depression after giving birth. Thought of killing myself actually. Doubt a small, prison-like postpartum room with steel doors and drab paint would have helped me during what was a really painful time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I recently delivered a vaginal birth at Washington Hospital Center (WHC). Here's my review:

Cons:
-Food isn't great
-There are a TON of residents. Many are first years. Some are great, others are a bit immature.
-Labor suites aren't great. Some broken lights, uncomfortable chairs, a few blood splats on the floor (from a previous patient). Outdated bathrooms.
-Mobile fetal monitoring was not available (out for recalibration, apparently)
-Postpartum rooms are like prisons. Small, cramped, steel doors, outdated, walls painted drab white and grey. I struggled not to bang into our infant in these tiny rooms with everyone coming in/out. I was desperate to get out of there, ASAP.
-Baby friendly to the point where you really can't use their nursery.
-It's a high volume labor and delivery practice so the nurses do not always explain things that you need to know. They seem to take it for granted that you "know" things about the care of your infant.
-After 8 PM or so, you have to use the Emergency Department to get into the hospital. WHC is major trauma center so this place is packed w/ a lot of activity at night. It was a bit scary to my husband, tbh.

Pros:
-It's a teaching hospital. So, everyone is explaining out what they are doing to everyone else. Nurses are explaining things to residents. Residents are explaining your case to the chief resident. The chief resident and residents are discussing your case with the attending, etc. More eyes on you = less likely someone makes a mistake. Also, more opportunities to advocate for yourself at key decision points.
-My attending was phenomenal. When in doubt, ask to see the attending. They will come (because they have to). My attending has been doing deliveries for 20+ years.
-No pressure for c-sections. Staff kept telling me their goal is a vaginal birth.
-I found out attendings at WHC work on shifts and they all work for Medstar. 24 hours twice a week, then off. They have no incentive to push you into a C-Section. There is someone else who takes over for them after the shift is done. A nurse told me that at places like Sibley, the physicians work for private practices where they all share the on-call time. Let's say you're on call, have to go to a delivery, and your kid's got a recital in a few hours, you're incentived to get the delivery done ASAP (re: c-section).
-Nurses in labor and delivery are really top notch. Attentive, knowledgeable, and great bedside manner. Never seen anything like it. Seriously.
-WHC is a labor and delivery machine. They have everything done to a t and they have seen most everything - babies whose mothers are on drugs, extreme premature babies, complex c-sections, etc. When things get bad, they know what to do. Me and my little girl were facing some serious issues during delivery and it was clear when things got bad for us, WHC staff knew exactly what to do.
-National Children's is right next door. If things REALLY get bad, they can easily transfer your infant to Children's. They also can call in consults very quickly.

WHC is nothing to call home about as an experience, but if things go bad, this is the place you want to be. My little girl is about turn 1 mo. now and is happy/healthy.

A hospital is not intended to be a 4 star hotel. You and your child received the care you needed. Personally, I would be grateful and stop complaining

I guess, but places like Inova can do both. Are you a crummy doc or nurse from Howard or united medical center or pg hospital by chance? Crummy providers love to define down expectations for pts. -nurse @ Inova

Neither. Just sick of the constant complaining.

Yeah if only women would shut up about subpar facilities while their insurance pays thousands for the delivery, that would be great? What a weird take.

Sorry, but I agree with PP. Reviewing actual care? Of course. Food and rooms? Whiny.

Blood on the floor of the room isn’t just poor housekeeping it’s potentially hazardous, so “actual care”. It’s indicative of adherence to sanitation protocols— also “actual care”.

As for food, many women don’t have someone to run down for DoorDash or have been fasting due to a c-section or prolonged labor. The fact that you think they’re not entitled to a decent meal says more about you than about the women writing here. I promise you WHC charges the same amount to your insurance as a hospital that would give you something better.

Of course sanitation is relevant. But paint colors and “outdated bathrooms”? Are we talking chamber pots?

Ok so you agree this isn’t “whining”. Great.

As for the bathrooms, I don’t know when (or if) you delivered babies, but I spent about 2/3 of active labor in the shower. Not having up to date labor facilities is, again, care. Not being able to take a shower in decent facilities after delivering a baby is, in fact, care.

I missed the part about no working shower?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I recently delivered a vaginal birth at Washington Hospital Center (WHC). Here's my review:

Cons:
-Food isn't great
-There are a TON of residents. Many are first years. Some are great, others are a bit immature.
-Labor suites aren't great. Some broken lights, uncomfortable chairs, a few blood splats on the floor (from a previous patient). Outdated bathrooms.
-Mobile fetal monitoring was not available (out for recalibration, apparently)
-Postpartum rooms are like prisons. Small, cramped, steel doors, outdated, walls painted drab white and grey. I struggled not to bang into our infant in these tiny rooms with everyone coming in/out. I was desperate to get out of there, ASAP.
-Baby friendly to the point where you really can't use their nursery.
-It's a high volume labor and delivery practice so the nurses do not always explain things that you need to know. They seem to take it for granted that you "know" things about the care of your infant.
-After 8 PM or so, you have to use the Emergency Department to get into the hospital. WHC is major trauma center so this place is packed w/ a lot of activity at night. It was a bit scary to my husband, tbh.

Pros:
-It's a teaching hospital. So, everyone is explaining out what they are doing to everyone else. Nurses are explaining things to residents. Residents are explaining your case to the chief resident. The chief resident and residents are discussing your case with the attending, etc. More eyes on you = less likely someone makes a mistake. Also, more opportunities to advocate for yourself at key decision points.
-My attending was phenomenal. When in doubt, ask to see the attending. They will come (because they have to). My attending has been doing deliveries for 20+ years.
-No pressure for c-sections. Staff kept telling me their goal is a vaginal birth.
-I found out attendings at WHC work on shifts and they all work for Medstar. 24 hours twice a week, then off. They have no incentive to push you into a C-Section. There is someone else who takes over for them after the shift is done. A nurse told me that at places like Sibley, the physicians work for private practices where they all share the on-call time. Let's say you're on call, have to go to a delivery, and your kid's got a recital in a few hours, you're incentived to get the delivery done ASAP (re: c-section).
-Nurses in labor and delivery are really top notch. Attentive, knowledgeable, and great bedside manner. Never seen anything like it. Seriously.
-WHC is a labor and delivery machine. They have everything done to a t and they have seen most everything - babies whose mothers are on drugs, extreme premature babies, complex c-sections, etc. When things get bad, they know what to do. Me and my little girl were facing some serious issues during delivery and it was clear when things got bad for us, WHC staff knew exactly what to do.
-National Children's is right next door. If things REALLY get bad, they can easily transfer your infant to Children's. They also can call in consults very quickly.

WHC is nothing to call home about as an experience, but if things go bad, this is the place you want to be. My little girl is about turn 1 mo. now and is happy/healthy.

A hospital is not intended to be a 4 star hotel. You and your child received the care you needed. Personally, I would be grateful and stop complaining

I guess, but places like Inova can do both. Are you a crummy doc or nurse from Howard or united medical center or pg hospital by chance? Crummy providers love to define down expectations for pts. -nurse @ Inova

Neither. Just sick of the constant complaining.

Yeah if only women would shut up about subpar facilities while their insurance pays thousands for the delivery, that would be great? What a weird take.

Sorry, but I agree with PP. Reviewing actual care? Of course. Food and rooms? Whiny.

Definitely. Women have no right to demand comfortable accommodations or decent food. Who do they think they are????

It’s a medical facility, not Salamander. And I’d find it whiny coming from a man, too.

The majority of OP's post was focused on other aspects of her experience there outside of the rooms. Stop looking for reasons to attack people.

That said, do not see anything wrong with pointing out the conditions of the rooms. When I delivered my first, the labor room was beautiful and full of light--that was nice. The postpartum room was dark and cramped, adding to a general feeling of anxiety. Nothing wrong with letting people know what to expect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I recently delivered a vaginal birth at Washington Hospital Center (WHC). Here's my review:

Cons:
-Food isn't great
-There are a TON of residents. Many are first years. Some are great, others are a bit immature.
-Labor suites aren't great. Some broken lights, uncomfortable chairs, a few blood splats on the floor (from a previous patient). Outdated bathrooms.
-Mobile fetal monitoring was not available (out for recalibration, apparently)
-Postpartum rooms are like prisons. Small, cramped, steel doors, outdated, walls painted drab white and grey. I struggled not to bang into our infant in these tiny rooms with everyone coming in/out. I was desperate to get out of there, ASAP.
-Baby friendly to the point where you really can't use their nursery.
-It's a high volume labor and delivery practice so the nurses do not always explain things that you need to know. They seem to take it for granted that you "know" things about the care of your infant.
-After 8 PM or so, you have to use the Emergency Department to get into the hospital. WHC is major trauma center so this place is packed w/ a lot of activity at night. It was a bit scary to my husband, tbh.

Pros:
-It's a teaching hospital. So, everyone is explaining out what they are doing to everyone else. Nurses are explaining things to residents. Residents are explaining your case to the chief resident. The chief resident and residents are discussing your case with the attending, etc. More eyes on you = less likely someone makes a mistake. Also, more opportunities to advocate for yourself at key decision points.
-My attending was phenomenal. When in doubt, ask to see the attending. They will come (because they have to). My attending has been doing deliveries for 20+ years.
-No pressure for c-sections. Staff kept telling me their goal is a vaginal birth.
-I found out attendings at WHC work on shifts and they all work for Medstar. 24 hours twice a week, then off. They have no incentive to push you into a C-Section. There is someone else who takes over for them after the shift is done. A nurse told me that at places like Sibley, the physicians work for private practices where they all share the on-call time. Let's say you're on call, have to go to a delivery, and your kid's got a recital in a few hours, you're incentived to get the delivery done ASAP (re: c-section).
-Nurses in labor and delivery are really top notch. Attentive, knowledgeable, and great bedside manner. Never seen anything like it. Seriously.
-WHC is a labor and delivery machine. They have everything done to a t and they have seen most everything - babies whose mothers are on drugs, extreme premature babies, complex c-sections, etc. When things get bad, they know what to do. Me and my little girl were facing some serious issues during delivery and it was clear when things got bad for us, WHC staff knew exactly what to do.
-National Children's is right next door. If things REALLY get bad, they can easily transfer your infant to Children's. They also can call in consults very quickly.

WHC is nothing to call home about as an experience, but if things go bad, this is the place you want to be. My little girl is about turn 1 mo. now and is happy/healthy.

A hospital is not intended to be a 4 star hotel. You and your child received the care you needed. Personally, I would be grateful and stop complaining

I guess, but places like Inova can do both. Are you a crummy doc or nurse from Howard or united medical center or pg hospital by chance? Crummy providers love to define down expectations for pts. -nurse @ Inova

Neither. Just sick of the constant complaining.

Yeah if only women would shut up about subpar facilities while their insurance pays thousands for the delivery, that would be great? What a weird take.

Sorry, but I agree with PP. Reviewing actual care? Of course. Food and rooms? Whiny.

Blood on the floor of the room isn’t just poor housekeeping it’s potentially hazardous, so “actual care”. It’s indicative of adherence to sanitation protocols— also “actual care”.

As for food, many women don’t have someone to run down for DoorDash or have been fasting due to a c-section or prolonged labor. The fact that you think they’re not entitled to a decent meal says more about you than about the women writing here. I promise you WHC charges the same amount to your insurance as a hospital that would give you something better.

Of course sanitation is relevant. But paint colors and “outdated bathrooms”? Are we talking chamber pots?

Ok so you agree this isn’t “whining”. Great.

As for the bathrooms, I don’t know when (or if) you delivered babies, but I spent about 2/3 of active labor in the shower. Not having up to date labor facilities is, again, care. Not being able to take a shower in decent facilities after delivering a baby is, in fact, care.

I missed the part about no working shower?

The difference between a shower that works and a shower that is updated and suitable for labor or a first shower postpartum is enormous. Prisons have showers that work and I don’t imagine you want to have a baby in one?

Just accept that women are entitled in a market with as many choices as the D.C area has to assess the facilities of the hospitals in which they give birth. No one gets a discount for delivering in a filthy room, or an outdated bathroom.

[Anonymous]

A lot of women have a choice and a lot of hospitals are running a business.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I recently delivered a vaginal birth at Washington Hospital Center (WHC). Here's my review:

Cons:
-Food isn't great
-There are a TON of residents. Many are first years. Some are great, others are a bit immature.
-Labor suites aren't great. Some broken lights, uncomfortable chairs, a few blood splats on the floor (from a previous patient). Outdated bathrooms.
-Mobile fetal monitoring was not available (out for recalibration, apparently)
-Postpartum rooms are like prisons. Small, cramped, steel doors, outdated, walls painted drab white and grey. I struggled not to bang into our infant in these tiny rooms with everyone coming in/out. I was desperate to get out of there, ASAP.
-Baby friendly to the point where you really can't use their nursery.
-It's a high volume labor and delivery practice so the nurses do not always explain things that you need to know. They seem to take it for granted that you "know" things about the care of your infant.
-After 8 PM or so, you have to use the Emergency Department to get into the hospital. WHC is major trauma center so this place is packed w/ a lot of activity at night. It was a bit scary to my husband, tbh.

Pros:
-It's a teaching hospital. So, everyone is explaining out what they are doing to everyone else. Nurses are explaining things to residents. Residents are explaining your case to the chief resident. The chief resident and residents are discussing your case with the attending, etc. More eyes on you = less likely someone makes a mistake. Also, more opportunities to advocate for yourself at key decision points.
-My attending was phenomenal. When in doubt, ask to see the attending. They will come (because they have to). My attending has been doing deliveries for 20+ years.
-No pressure for c-sections. Staff kept telling me their goal is a vaginal birth.
-I found out attendings at WHC work on shifts and they all work for Medstar. 24 hours twice a week, then off. They have no incentive to push you into a C-Section. There is someone else who takes over for them after the shift is done. A nurse told me that at places like Sibley, the physicians work for private practices where they all share the on-call time. Let's say you're on call, have to go to a delivery, and your kid's got a recital in a few hours, you're incentived to get the delivery done ASAP (re: c-section).
-Nurses in labor and delivery are really top notch. Attentive, knowledgeable, and great bedside manner. Never seen anything like it. Seriously.
-WHC is a labor and delivery machine. They have everything done to a t and they have seen most everything - babies whose mothers are on drugs, extreme premature babies, complex c-sections, etc. When things get bad, they know what to do. Me and my little girl were facing some serious issues during delivery and it was clear when things got bad for us, WHC staff knew exactly what to do.
-National Children's is right next door. If things REALLY get bad, they can easily transfer your infant to Children's. They also can call in consults very quickly.

WHC is nothing to call home about as an experience, but if things go bad, this is the place you want to be. My little girl is about turn 1 mo. now and is happy/healthy.

A hospital is not intended to be a 4 star hotel. You and your child received the care you needed. Personally, I would be grateful and stop complaining

Not OP but why all the anger? She’s giving us an overview of the pros and cons and seems to be recommending the hospital.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I recently delivered a vaginal birth at Washington Hospital Center (WHC). Here's my review:

Cons:
-Food isn't great
-There are a TON of residents. Many are first years. Some are great, others are a bit immature.
-Labor suites aren't great. Some broken lights, uncomfortable chairs, a few blood splats on the floor (from a previous patient). Outdated bathrooms.
-Mobile fetal monitoring was not available (out for recalibration, apparently)
-Postpartum rooms are like prisons. Small, cramped, steel doors, outdated, walls painted drab white and grey. I struggled not to bang into our infant in these tiny rooms with everyone coming in/out. I was desperate to get out of there, ASAP.
-Baby friendly to the point where you really can't use their nursery.
-It's a high volume labor and delivery practice so the nurses do not always explain things that you need to know. They seem to take it for granted that you "know" things about the care of your infant.
-After 8 PM or so, you have to use the Emergency Department to get into the hospital. WHC is major trauma center so this place is packed w/ a lot of activity at night. It was a bit scary to my husband, tbh.

Pros:
-It's a teaching hospital. So, everyone is explaining out what they are doing to everyone else. Nurses are explaining things to residents. Residents are explaining your case to the chief resident. The chief resident and residents are discussing your case with the attending, etc. More eyes on you = less likely someone makes a mistake. Also, more opportunities to advocate for yourself at key decision points.
-My attending was phenomenal. When in doubt, ask to see the attending. They will come (because they have to). My attending has been doing deliveries for 20+ years.
-No pressure for c-sections. Staff kept telling me their goal is a vaginal birth.
-I found out attendings at WHC work on shifts and they all work for Medstar. 24 hours twice a week, then off. They have no incentive to push you into a C-Section. There is someone else who takes over for them after the shift is done. A nurse told me that at places like Sibley, the physicians work for private practices where they all share the on-call time. Let's say you're on call, have to go to a delivery, and your kid's got a recital in a few hours, you're incentived to get the delivery done ASAP (re: c-section).
-Nurses in labor and delivery are really top notch. Attentive, knowledgeable, and great bedside manner. Never seen anything like it. Seriously.
-WHC is a labor and delivery machine. They have everything done to a t and they have seen most everything - babies whose mothers are on drugs, extreme premature babies, complex c-sections, etc. When things get bad, they know what to do. Me and my little girl were facing some serious issues during delivery and it was clear when things got bad for us, WHC staff knew exactly what to do.
-National Children's is right next door. If things REALLY get bad, they can easily transfer your infant to Children's. They also can call in consults very quickly.

WHC is nothing to call home about as an experience, but if things go bad, this is the place you want to be. My little girl is about turn 1 mo. now and is happy/healthy.

A hospital is not intended to be a 4 star hotel. You and your child received the care you needed. Personally, I would be grateful and stop complaining

Not OP but why all the anger? She’s giving us an overview of the pros and cons and seems to be recommending the hospital.

Because that poster believes women who don’t think they should give birth in rooms which haven’t been cleaned of other women’s bodily fluids are whining.

It says everything about the poster and nothing about the OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I recently delivered a vaginal birth at Washington Hospital Center (WHC). Here's my review:

Cons:
-Food isn't great
-There are a TON of residents. Many are first years. Some are great, others are a bit immature.
-Labor suites aren't great. Some broken lights, uncomfortable chairs, a few blood splats on the floor (from a previous patient). Outdated bathrooms.
-Mobile fetal monitoring was not available (out for recalibration, apparently)
-Postpartum rooms are like prisons. Small, cramped, steel doors, outdated, walls painted drab white and grey. I struggled not to bang into our infant in these tiny rooms with everyone coming in/out. I was desperate to get out of there, ASAP.
-Baby friendly to the point where you really can't use their nursery.
-It's a high volume labor and delivery practice so the nurses do not always explain things that you need to know. They seem to take it for granted that you "know" things about the care of your infant.
-After 8 PM or so, you have to use the Emergency Department to get into the hospital. WHC is major trauma center so this place is packed w/ a lot of activity at night. It was a bit scary to my husband, tbh.

Pros:
-It's a teaching hospital. So, everyone is explaining out what they are doing to everyone else. Nurses are explaining things to residents. Residents are explaining your case to the chief resident. The chief resident and residents are discussing your case with the attending, etc. More eyes on you = less likely someone makes a mistake. Also, more opportunities to advocate for yourself at key decision points.
-My attending was phenomenal. When in doubt, ask to see the attending. They will come (because they have to). My attending has been doing deliveries for 20+ years.
-No pressure for c-sections. Staff kept telling me their goal is a vaginal birth.
-I found out attendings at WHC work on shifts and they all work for Medstar. 24 hours twice a week, then off. They have no incentive to push you into a C-Section. There is someone else who takes over for them after the shift is done. A nurse told me that at places like Sibley, the physicians work for private practices where they all share the on-call time. Let's say you're on call, have to go to a delivery, and your kid's got a recital in a few hours, you're incentived to get the delivery done ASAP (re: c-section).
-Nurses in labor and delivery are really top notch. Attentive, knowledgeable, and great bedside manner. Never seen anything like it. Seriously.
-WHC is a labor and delivery machine. They have everything done to a t and they have seen most everything - babies whose mothers are on drugs, extreme premature babies, complex c-sections, etc. When things get bad, they know what to do. Me and my little girl were facing some serious issues during delivery and it was clear when things got bad for us, WHC staff knew exactly what to do.
-National Children's is right next door. If things REALLY get bad, they can easily transfer your infant to Children's. They also can call in consults very quickly.

WHC is nothing to call home about as an experience, but if things go bad, this is the place you want to be. My little girl is about turn 1 mo. now and is happy/healthy.

A hospital is not intended to be a 4 star hotel. You and your child received the care you needed. Personally, I would be grateful and stop complaining

I guess, but places like Inova can do both. Are you a crummy doc or nurse from Howard or united medical center or pg hospital by chance? Crummy providers love to define down expectations for pts. -nurse @ Inova

Neither. Just sick of the constant complaining.

Yeah if only women would shut up about subpar facilities while their insurance pays thousands for the delivery, that would be great? What a weird take.

You chose the practice and you know which hospital they use. No one to blame but yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I recently delivered a vaginal birth at Washington Hospital Center (WHC). Here's my review:

Cons:
-Food isn't great
-There are a TON of residents. Many are first years. Some are great, others are a bit immature.
-Labor suites aren't great. Some broken lights, uncomfortable chairs, a few blood splats on the floor (from a previous patient). Outdated bathrooms.
-Mobile fetal monitoring was not available (out for recalibration, apparently)
-Postpartum rooms are like prisons. Small, cramped, steel doors, outdated, walls painted drab white and grey. I struggled not to bang into our infant in these tiny rooms with everyone coming in/out. I was desperate to get out of there, ASAP.
-Baby friendly to the point where you really can't use their nursery.
-It's a high volume labor and delivery practice so the nurses do not always explain things that you need to know. They seem to take it for granted that you "know" things about the care of your infant.
-After 8 PM or so, you have to use the Emergency Department to get into the hospital. WHC is major trauma center so this place is packed w/ a lot of activity at night. It was a bit scary to my husband, tbh.

Pros:
-It's a teaching hospital. So, everyone is explaining out what they are doing to everyone else. Nurses are explaining things to residents. Residents are explaining your case to the chief resident. The chief resident and residents are discussing your case with the attending, etc. More eyes on you = less likely someone makes a mistake. Also, more opportunities to advocate for yourself at key decision points.
-My attending was phenomenal. When in doubt, ask to see the attending. They will come (because they have to). My attending has been doing deliveries for 20+ years.
-No pressure for c-sections. Staff kept telling me their goal is a vaginal birth.
-I found out attendings at WHC work on shifts and they all work for Medstar. 24 hours twice a week, then off. They have no incentive to push you into a C-Section. There is someone else who takes over for them after the shift is done. A nurse told me that at places like Sibley, the physicians work for private practices where they all share the on-call time. Let's say you're on call, have to go to a delivery, and your kid's got a recital in a few hours, you're incentived to get the delivery done ASAP (re: c-section).
-Nurses in labor and delivery are really top notch. Attentive, knowledgeable, and great bedside manner. Never seen anything like it. Seriously.
-WHC is a labor and delivery machine. They have everything done to a t and they have seen most everything - babies whose mothers are on drugs, extreme premature babies, complex c-sections, etc. When things get bad, they know what to do. Me and my little girl were facing some serious issues during delivery and it was clear when things got bad for us, WHC staff knew exactly what to do.
-National Children's is right next door. If things REALLY get bad, they can easily transfer your infant to Children's. They also can call in consults very quickly.

WHC is nothing to call home about as an experience, but if things go bad, this is the place you want to be. My little girl is about turn 1 mo. now and is happy/healthy.

A hospital is not intended to be a 4 star hotel. You and your child received the care you needed. Personally, I would be grateful and stop complaining

I guess, but places like Inova can do both. Are you a crummy doc or nurse from Howard or united medical center or pg hospital by chance? Crummy providers love to define down expectations for pts. -nurse @ Inova

Neither. Just sick of the constant complaining.

Yeah if only women would shut up about subpar facilities while their insurance pays thousands for the delivery, that would be great? What a weird take.

You chose the practice and you know which hospital they use. No one to blame but yourself.

But this is exactly the point. Women DO have a choice. But if we also say women shouldn’t complain and report on pros and cons of a hospital, how do you know what to choose?