Live in DC ... deliver in Baltimore?

[Anonymous]

We're expecting our 1st, and I'm just wondering whether anyone more experienced has advice on this:

I have some high-risk issues, and early in the pregnancy we visited a high-risk specialist in Baltimore for a consultation. (We live in DC, but went there because the doc is a friend of my sister-in-law.) We loooooooved the Baltimore doc for both knowledge and bedside manner, but decided to stick with our DC docs for simple geographic convenience. Lately, though, I've had less confidence in my DC docs, and I'm worried about the private-room issue at Sibley.

We'll be scheduling a c-section, so there's no need to rush to a close hospital for labor. And the Baltimore doc's hospital (Mercy Medical Center) is on my insurance list.

Basically, we're now leaning toward Baltimore ... but can anyone think of a reason it's a BAD idea to go to another city to deliver? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I don't have high-risk issues, and wouldn't ever suggest that you go with a doctor whom you mistrust... but let me just throw out a couple of factors for your thinking. First, the Sibley private room thing is a pretty minor issue, far too minor to consider delivering 1 hour+ away. I got stuck with a roommate on night 1 with my first and boy was it annoying - but that said, it's one night (or at most a couple) out of a long life of parenting so I wouldn't base any decision around the chance that you might be inconvenienced there. (Or if it matters that much, consider someone who delivers at GU, GWU, or one of the many other local alternatives.) Second, and again without knowing your medical situation perhaps my comments are irrelevant... but I found the whole bonding-with-your-doctor thing to be mostly a non-issue for my first delivery. Most of the time that you spend in the hospital, getting ready for and recovering from delivery, your primary contacts are with the nursing staff. I imagine that this is even more the case with a c-section. So, no, if it were me, I wouldn't subject myself to a lengthy drive to/from the hospital just to have a doctor for delivery whom I liked better. I found the 15 drive from the hospital to home with a newborn a little nerve-wracking, and so there's no way I would want to have a 5-day old infant on the highway if I could avoid it.

All that said, if you're making your decision on a question of medical competence, that's a totally different matter.

[Anonymous]

Could be good to have a hospital close to home in case either of you need to stay on longer than usual, with others in the family visiting.

[Anonymous]

I live in Old Town and delivered at INOVA Fair Oaks and didn't find the distance to be a problem. If you like the doc, and can live with the distance, I say deliver in Baltimore.

[Anonymous]

I lived in Great Falls, VA, and will deliver at GW. My advice is the same as the poster above: deliver in Baltimore if you really like the doc.

[Anonymous]

I would definitely reconsider delivering in Baltimore. Even with a schedule c-section, there is no assurance that you won't go into labor early, especially if you were high-risk. I personally wouldn't chance it. I also second the sentiments of a PP who mentioned that bedside manner of a doctor for a c-section is really not the most crucial. Do you really dislike your current OBs or is it more that you don't feel they are holding your hand enough? I think it is important to like your doctor, but take it from somebody who has delivered 2 babies vaginally. The nurses - who you won't meet beforehand - actually tend to play more of an active role than the doctor.

Baltimore can be pretty far away when considering things like traffic. In my mind, it is far worse than living in Alexandria and delivering at Fair Oaks. That is what - 20 minutes away?

I wouldn't chance it.

[Anonymous]

Have you considered other hospitals in the DC area? I understand that you don't like Sibley and you have a good doc in Baltimore, but you might be able to find a doc you like in DC/DC area who delivers in a hospital other than Sibley: like Georgetown, Holy Cross, Shady Grove, Inova Fairfax...etc? Maybe that would be a good compromise: it would not be Sibley and yet it would not be as far away as Baltimore...Just a thought...

[Anonymous]

OP: have you considered Virginia Hospital Center (Arlington Hospital)? It is pretty good and all the rooms are private. It is very close to DC, as well. Good luck with you decision!