looking for a DC OB, smaller practice?

[cassiea]

Ok, I know this might be asking for it, but I'm looking for recommendations for an OB. As a wish list:
1. The same doctor (or maybe one of 2) that I'll work with the whole time (instead of a large rotating practice)
2. Someone who is on time for appointments more or less
3. Someone who is attentive and will not rush you through appointments
4. Someone who takes BCBS (if you know)
5. Someone who is open to things like a perineum massage as opposed to an episiotomy...
6. Maybe a woman, but I don't care that much.

Big wish list I know, but I'd love suggestions!

[Anonymous]

Dr. Robert Footer meets 4 1/2 of your 6 requirements. He fails #6, obviously, and he's not always on time (it's hit or miss).

[Anonymous]

Dr. De Souza as well -- he is actuallly the "on-call" partner of Dr. Footer. Solo practice. Both docs are highly praised on this forum. I'm not sure about his insurance policies but I'd bet he takes yours. He's very nice, very responsive to mom's concerns (and dad's) and has a great bedside manner. He calls before your first appointment to talk with you through any questions you have. He is on call all but one weekend a month, and his weekend off is covered by the aforementioned Dr. Footer.

[Anonymous]

Just to add to the confusion, Dr. Richard Footer also meets most of your requirements. (I think they are somehow related.) One thing to check is whether he is still delivering at GW and Sibley. I know he delivers at Holy Cross, which I went to both times because I am in Chevy Chase.

He was actually perfect for me because in addition to meeting all my doctor requirements, he has two offices - one near the house (in Bethesda) and one near work.

[Anonymous]

I second Richard Footer. he only delivers now at HC. Granted, all of my appts. were in the am but he was always on time. I was usually in and out in 20 minutes. Contrast this with Georgetown where my Dr. for pregnancy #1 was and I waited, on average, 45 minutes for each appt. Switching to Dr. Footer was one of the the best moves I ever did.

BTW, he and Robert Footer are first cousins.

[Anonymous]

Dr. Virginia Thompson is great. She's a solo practitioner, so you'd always see her. She takes BCBS and never rushed me through an appointment. She's not always on time, but the waits are not horrendous -- and the one or two times she was stuck in traffic and the wait was longer than usual, the nurse gave me a couple of updates and checked to make sure I didn't need water or anything (I was already in the exam room). I don't know about her feelings on episiotomies so I can't comment there. The only hitch is that she is sometimes not accepting new OB patients. But if she is, I highly recommend her.

[Anonymous]

Dr. Malcolm DeSouza. I didn't actually use him, but 1) I have heard & read countless wonderful things about him; 2) My mid-wife highly recommends him; and 3) I have a friend who used him & thought he was fabulous. A solo-practioner as a PP mentioned. If I were using an OB this time around, it would have been him.