How was/is GW for high risk pregnancies and deliveries?

[Anonymous]

I had a baby unexpectedly admitted to the NICU at delivery there. It was emotional hell but everyone did everything they could to help and make it as easy as possible. He is awesome now. Compassionate and stellar medical care. We are done but I would deliver there again in a heartbeat.

They are currently bringing on more postpartum nurses to try to help that wing.

[Anonymous]

I was assigned an MFM because I was pregnant with twins and then got gestational diabetes. I was assigned to Dr. Gimovsky and she was fantastic. I had absolute confidence in every MFM and OB I saw during my pregnancy and knew that whoever was on shift the night I delivered, I would be in good hands. After a failed induction, they finally decided to do a c-section as I was developing pre-e. The chief resident at the time delivered with one of the normal OBs supervising and I felt I was in great hands the entire time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I LOVED Macri for my high-risk pregnancy. He was just phenomenal. I saw him for all my prenatal appointments and he delivered me (he promised me he would and he changed his schedule around to be there when I went early). Could not recommend anyone more highly.

Did you deliver via c section?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She's the best. Delivered all 3 of my sons (C sections) & has been fabulous in every way. I've referred many friends to her over the years & all of them have had great experiences with her as well. Could not recommend her more highly.

Are you referring to Dr. Bathgate? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I saw Drs Peterson and Gallagher at Bethesda throughout my high risk pregnancy (during covid so I couldn’t pick - whoever was there showed up). They were excellent and I knew I was getting the best possible advice and monitoring throughout. I delivered with the OBs (induction but vaginal) and felt I was in safe and good hands the whole labor and delivery process. Postpartum wasn’t as good but it wasn’t my first time so it bothered me less.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had a nightmare delivery/recovery/emergency c-section with my first (due to HELLP) at Inova Fairfax. It came close to being catastrophic and I actually credit the L & D nurses for avoiding that outcome, but the overall experience was terrible.

Second at GW was night-and-day better. I used a normal OB w/ the comfort of Dr. Bathgate and the other MFMs being available in-practice if things started to go wrong... and they didn't. (Though I had a couple of consults with them and my OB coordinated my care with them/sought their recommendations on the few issues.)

Third and back with the same OB at GW. Feel very well cared for.

can I ask who was your regular Dr at GW?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I had pregnancy risks there is nowhere I'd rather be than GW. The postpartum care is not the cushiest. But the OB, Delivery, NICU, etc. are absolutely top notch and trend toward an excellent balance of nonintervention and safety, informed by the latest science.

This. All the recent stuff that’s coming out about maternal mortality in the US has reinforced how good my medical care was there.

As long as you're not with the midwifes, I agree -- and only up to post-partum care. A lot can happen to the mother and baby post-partum, and GW is just very indifferent on that account. I developed pre-e during delivery, and while the delivery and the NICU were awesome (once the OBs made the midwives stop faffing around) I had to beg the post-partum nurses to check my BP and make sure it was OK. And of course they discharged my baby dehydrated and borderline jaundiced without telling me.

That said - if you're with the high-risk OBs and prepared to advocate for yourself and baby post-partum, it's likely as good as any place.

I’m sorry you had this experience. I also developed pre-e and had the opposite...I was actually really annoyed with the constant checks, though now that I understand the alternative I feel pretty grateful!

Midwife patient who delivered a few years back and got postpartum preeclampsia and wasn’t given mag even though it was clinically indicated. They also discharged me with high blood pressure. So so irresponsible. Such terrible care. I made a well documented complaint, I hope they fixed their lackadaisical approach.

[Anonymous]

Love the GW OB's. Hate the midwives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I saw Drs Peterson and Gallagher at Bethesda throughout my high risk pregnancy (during covid so I couldn’t pick - whoever was there showed up). They were excellent and I knew I was getting the best possible advice and monitoring throughout. I delivered with the OBs (induction but vaginal) and felt I was in safe and good hands the whole labor and delivery process. Postpartum wasn’t as good but it wasn’t my first time so it bothered me less.

this is so nice to hear . I see them too and am high risk. I have been so worried. Do you think your delivery experience was safe during covid? Would love to hear about your delivery experience during covid - did yuo feel safe ? Did they enforce safety protocols? Ugh just want this to hurry up!

post partum - did they make sure to check blood pressure etc? Is it possible to request help with breast feeding?