physicians for women vs. physicians and midwives

[Anonymous]

I currently just need my yearly gyn appt, but also plan to get pregnant with #2 again. With #1 my ob practice was just 2 dr. & I saw the same dr. everytime (out of choice & of course she didn't deliver my baby). I had long waits & felt rushed through my appts. Before I get pregnant with #2 I'd like to switch to one of these 2 practices in Alexandria. I have heard good things about both practices. If you go to either, what has your experience been? Do you meet all the dr's? Physicians & midwives appears to have so many dr's & midwives, I'm not sure how you'd meet them all! Thank you.

[Anonymous]

I went last week for my first appointment. I met with midwife Gina as I need to get in quick for some problems and will meet with a doctor (though not my preferred one who is not available for weeks) this week. Seems to be a nice place and I like having the options of some midwives who can be more available.

[Anonymous]

I've gone to both ... originally Physicians and Midwives (just gyn) and now with Physicians for Women (pregnant with twins). I only left P+M because they stopped accepting my insurance but I think I would have switched anyway. I really like both Drs. Ahdoot and Patricia Valle (midwife) but did not like Cutting and the other woman doc (Indian woman; can't remember her name) and their Sherwood Hall nurses were a bit abrupt (Kenmore Ave nurses were awesome).

I've been very pleased with all of the docs at PW and nursing staff. There are definitely some that I like better than others but I'm comfortable with all of them. I will say that the practice as a whole strikes me as pretty conservative in their approach -- but I'm not sure if that is due to my pregnancy situation or just in general.

[Anonymous]

I went to P&M with my first pregnancy which unfortunately ended in m/c. The doctor that was on call that weekend has since left the practice, thank goodness for the women of NoVA. I won't go into details but it was a nightmare that I do not wish on my worst enemy. Aside from that though, I didn't like how large the practice is. You are correct in that they cycle you through every doctor and try to have you see each midwife. There are just so many of them! It seemed like it was too easy for something to be missed. At my first consult Dr. Rambhala (older Indian female as referenced above) flat-out told us that they have trouble hiring good nurses so it was up to me to follow up with the nurses on basic info to be sure they were on their toes. !!! After my loss I did a few consults with other practices in the area. I was told that Phys for Women doesn't do consultations for new patients unless you are pg. That was pretty disappointing, but I had heard good things about them so I made an appt for an annual exam with them. They, like many in the area, were booked about 8 months in advance (I'm not exaggerating). I should also mention that I used to see Dr. Siegel at PforW years ago when I was single and just needed an annual. He and the staff were very nice back then.
Turns out I have medical issues that were undiagnosed during my first pregnancy so I am now seeing a perinatologist in my 2nd pregnancy - so I didn't end up keeping that annual appt at Pfor W.
I hope you find some good advice, but from the research I did on this site and Oldtownmoms, every woman has a different opinion and varied experiences so it can be hard to make a decision based solely on other's experiences. I'm sure you'll get other responses from women who loved P&M and hated pforW. It is no easy task!!! Good luck.