preferred hospital?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are delivering at Shady Grove Hospital -- all new private rooms (with tubs/jets) for labor/delivery, new post delivery rooms, great staff, doulas welcome. etc.. The model of care they follow is quite progressive and just what we were looking for.

Can you actually deliver in the tubs? My understanding was they were just for laboring. But that may have changed.

I don't think you can do a water birth, but my care provider will even do the doppler in the water if you don't want to get up for the fetal monitor every hour. You can deliver in the tub/shower if that is where you are comfortable, but they would drain the water first. I plan to labor in the tub, then figure out where I want to deliver.

[Anonymous]

We delivered at Georgetown several years ago and would select them again. Teaching hospitals are not for everyone; I quite frankly am very modest, but you never ever feel alone or neglected at a teaching hospital for sure! Our baby almost died after birth and I credit the fact that he was taken immediately to the NICU--and placed in excellent care at the ECMO station just in case that extreme measure was needed--with saving his life. I would add that I was not in an "at risk" category, but you never know what happens at delivery. I was glad that our son did not have to be stablized and transported anywhere other than down the hallway. The nurses at Georgetown are outstanding and were recognized a few years ago by a national organization.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We delivered at Georgetown several years ago and would select them again. Teaching hospitals are not for everyone; I quite frankly am very modest, but you never ever feel alone or neglected at a teaching hospital for sure! Our baby almost died after birth and I credit the fact that he was taken immediately to the NICU--and placed in excellent care at the ECMO station just in case that extreme measure was needed--with saving his life. I would add that I was not in an "at risk" category, but you never know what happens at delivery. I was glad that our son did not have to be stablized and transported anywhere other than down the hallway. The nurses at Georgetown are outstanding and were recognized a few years ago by a national organization.

Who was the doctor who delivered you in Georgetown? I am trying to find a good doctor who delivers at Georgetown, but I am finding it very difficult. All the good doctors I found so far deliver at Sibley. Could you recommend your doctor please?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You may also want to consider which hospitals are part of the 5 million lives campaign to reduce medical errors (http://www.ihi.org/IHI/Programs/Campaign/Campaign.htm?TabId=1). In DC, Georgetown and WHC are participating hospitals. Or at least ask what steps your hosital takes to prevent mistakes in Rx dosage and infections.

In Maryland, Holy Cross and Shady Grove are on the list.

[Anonymous]

Anyone have any insight about c-sections at Sibley vs. c-sections at Georgetown? I am going to be scheduling a c-section (for medical reasons) and I am leaning towards Georgetown, but I'd love to hear about anyone's scheduled c-section experience at either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have any insight about c-sections at Sibley vs. c-sections at Georgetown? I am going to be scheduling a c-section (for medical reasons) and I am leaning towards Georgetown, but I'd love to hear about anyone's scheduled c-section experience at either.

I think the choice of doctor is more important than the choice of an hospital. The doctor is the one who will perform the c-section, you need to make sure he/she is good at what he/she does. Choose a doctor who is a good surgeon/has a good reputation when it comes to c-sections.

[Anonymous]

I had a c-section at Georgetown (not scheduled though, mine was after a long labor). I had a good experience overall but I agree with the PP - I think that the choice of a surgeon in this case is more important than anything else. Also, with Georgetown being a teaching hospital, there is a good chance that a resident (or two or five) will be assisting or even performing the surgery. It didn't bother me personally, but I know some people would mind. There were seriously 5 OB residents who took turns assisting with my surgery (and maybe even actually doing it - it was hard for me to tell) - it was apparently a slow day at the L&D that day. If you have any specific questions, please ask. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I wanted to put a plug in for INOVA Alexandria Hospital. It is a smaller, more intimate hospital with private rooms. Physicians & Midwives is the main practice out of the hospital so it's a great option if you'd like to have a midwife. They are also very supportive of doulas, natural birth and breastfeeding!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We delivered at Georgetown several years ago and would select them again. Teaching hospitals are not for everyone; I quite frankly am very modest, but you never ever feel alone or neglected at a teaching hospital for sure! Our baby almost died after birth and I credit the fact that he was taken immediately to the NICU--and placed in excellent care at the ECMO station just in case that extreme measure was needed--with saving his life. I would add that I was not in an "at risk" category, but you never know what happens at delivery. I was glad that our son did not have to be stablized and transported anywhere other than down the hallway. The nurses at Georgetown are outstanding and were recognized a few years ago by a national organization.

Who was the doctor who delivered you in Georgetown? I am trying to find a good doctor who delivers at Georgetown, but I am finding it very difficult. All the good doctors I found so far deliver at Sibley. Could you recommend your doctor please?

My regular doctor was Dr. Udwin, but he has since left the field I understand. Dr. Moxley delivered. I would credit Dr. Hoy, head of the NICU team at the time with saving ds life. There are good OB/GYNs, but as a pp mentioned re the surgeon, teaching hospitals give you a "team" and looking back, ours was excellent.

[Anonymous]

I work in health policy and I'm very picky about healthcare delivery systems - I just know too much of the bad stuff to make the decision based on address or private room alone.

I have not delivered yet but I was very impressed with Washington Hospital Center. As one of the PPs mentioned, they have high-level NICU and have great working relationships with Midwives (the one I'm using is head of the faculty there and when you say you are a private patient of hers everyone raves about her - inlcuding the nurses that far exceeded my expectations when I went in on a false-alarm). For us the service and options and knowing that we are in the most-equipped hospital gives us a sense of relief.

Good luck with your choice!

R

[Anonymous]

We had our first child at Sibley and our second. The first time we didn't know any better and the second time was a complete disaster. Or son was born with a viral infection that claimed his life about 2 months later. Sibley is COMPLETELY unprepared for any sort of complicated situation and the fetal specialists are second rate. There is only one for the whole hospital an they have to be called into every c-section that occurs while leaving the other very sick babies alone with the nurses. Let me tell you, this is negligant and completey unacceptable when compared to other hospitals. They have to call in consults from other hospitals which can take valuable time. When our son really started to go down hill we had to wait something like 5 hours to be moved to Georgetown.

I know a lot of people have completely uncomplicated deliveries at Sibley (we did the first time) but I would no longer recommend it. We are due to have our third son in about 3 weeks and are delivering at Georgetown. The truth is that sometimes really bad things happen out of nowhere and its better to have the right medical facilities avaibale if necessary.

[Anonymous]

I am so sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are delivering at Shady Grove Hospital -- all new private rooms (with tubs/jets) for labor/delivery, new post delivery rooms, great staff, doulas welcome. etc.. The model of care they follow is quite progressive and just what we were looking for.

Can you actually deliver in the tubs? My understanding was they were just for laboring. But that may have changed.

I delivered at Shady Grove 4 months ago. You cannot deliver in the tubs. You can only use them before delivery if your water has not broken. Once your water has broken, you are pretty much confined to the bed.