Midwifery practice recommendations in MD?

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone,

I'm 11 weeks pregnant with #2. I had #1 with Reiter & Hill and a doula at Sibley. There was a lot about those arrangements that weren't ideal for me, so this time I switched to a small practice, hoping for a more intimate feel. I have now had two visits at Contemporary Women's Health (Deena Kleinerman) it really doesn't feel any cozier or more receptive to trying for natural childbirth.

I think what I would really like is a midwifery practice, but to deliver in a hospital or in a birth center within a hospital. I really liked the L&D nurses at Sibley, but otherwise am not beholden to that hospital. I just want to deliver relatively near my home in Bethesda, and have immediate access to excellent medical care if something goes wrong (I'm older and my mom almost died giving birth to my brother, so I can't budge on this and feel comfortable).

I would be really grateful for any suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Midwifery Care Associates. They are wonderful. I just recently switched (at 30 weeks) from my OB to the midwives because they were a much better fit. This practice has three midwives in it, so definitely a smaller, more "cozy" practice where you can get to know each one (especially if you switch now, rather than waiting so late like I did). They deliver at Shady Grove Hospital. I know this is not extremely close to Bethesda (we are in Bethesda, too), but close enough. And I've heard really great things about Shady Grove - very family and mother friendly. So, worth the extra miles for me. MCA has an orientation session at their office every month (or week? not sure). It's definitely worth going to meet one of the midwives and just hear their philosophies. After attending the orientation, I was sold. I highly recommend them. Good luck with your search!

[Anonymous]

Have you looked into Midwifery Care Associates? It's a small practice of midwives who deliver at Shady Grove Adventist.

The birth center attached to hospital options are a bit far afield for you. There is one in Annapolis, Bay Area Midwifery Center, and one in Leesburg, Loudon Community Midwives.

The DC Birth Center midwives deliver at Washington Hospital Center, as does Whitney Pinger. And there's also (again, not close to you) Physicians & Midwives at Alexandria Hospital.

[Anonymous]

I believe that there also may be some independent midwives that have privileges to deliver at Sibley. You may want to contact Sibley to see if they can provide you a list of any midwives that deliver there.

[Anonymous]

No, there aren't any independent midwives who deliver at Sibley. There aren't any midwives delivering at Sibley, period.

Midwifery Care Associates does seem like the most logical fit based on what you're asking for, and I think you would be thrilled with them. Just to give you another option, there is also a birth center near Annapolis called Special Beginnings. Many women in DC travel there for their prenatal care and delivery (you can deliver either at the birth center or at the hospital - totally your choice). A lot of women really love Special Beginnings because the midwives are independent and more holistic than MCA. I really like MCA, but they do work for an OB group and deliver only in the hospital so that (in my opinion) does influence them a bit more toward the medical model. A third option for you would be Whitney Pinger at Washington Hospital Center. She is awesome. She has a solo practice so you only see her, and she only takes a few patients a month so she attends all her deliveries. The DC Birth Center midwives also deliver at WHC, but you have to go to NE DC to the birth center for your prenatal appointments and that might be an annoying commute (even driving to Special Beginnings can be easier than getting into NEDC, in my opinion!).

[Anonymous]

Just to clarify: Bay Area Midwifery is a birth center which is attached (by underground tunnel) to Anne Arundal Medical Center. I would not recommend this practice unless it is the only one that takes your insurance. Special Beginnings is a free standing birth center about six miles from AAMC. If you go with Special Beginnings you have all your prenatal appointments at the birth center, but you choose your delivery place (birth center or AAMC) based on your preferences.