Dr. Bajaj at Capital Womens Care in DC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with 15:24. I've been going to Dr. Picco for years now and like her very much. Yes, she talks 100 miles an hour and if you don't have your list of questions on hand, there is no 'chatting' time to think about them. But I am a little like that myself at work, so I take it as a sign of professionalism. She is always knowledgeable, keeps me at ease by sharing enough information that I never feel lost or uninformed, and has never acted like a question is stupid. The practice is a bit chaotic, but if you expect to wait 30-45 min (and I think most Dr's in DC have wait times that long) and don't take it personally, it's fine. Very convenient location and takes most insurance. Lots of moms to be in the waiting room. (in the interest of full disclosure, I am having my 1st baby in Sept, but have no qualms about having what ever kind of birth the dr. on call thinks is best for me and the little one once the situation gets going. Which means I felt like we were exactly on the same page when Dr. Picco said "we'll do everything we can to help you have a normal vaginal delivery, but we can't really predict what will be best for you until you are in labor.")

We also had a great experience with Dr. Picco. She always had time for us and often chatted with us at length during our appointments. Dr. Newman is also excellent--delivered my twins via c-section without any complications...very reassuring and caring.

[Anonymous]

I agree. I had my first with Dr. Picco in fall 2007 and am expecting #2 in September. I think it's just a matter of what style works for you. I don't mind the "get in, get out" appointments. She never makes me feel rushed if I have questions or concerns. And during delivery, she was exactly what I needed. Everybody else - my mother, my husband, the nurses - were patting my hand, stroking my hair and saying, "Okay, honey, you're doing great, come on." Dr. Picco, on the other hand, was down there urging me on, "COME ON. Don't stop. You can DO THIS. LET'S GO. PUSH." I totally get why some people would be annoyed, but for me it was perfect.

Oh, and most of the front office staff has turned over in the past 6-8 months. It's made a big difference.

[Anonymous]

I have had all three doctors...Newman, Bajaj, and Picco. I started with Newman, and I liked him, but I really wanted a woman doctor. Near the end of pregnancy, they say you need to schedule with the two other doctors. I had Picco first and I found her to be rather rigid and in a hurry; she wasn't very friendly and I was devastated to learn that I needed a c-section (breech, so it was planned). Bajaj feels more like a college friend that I can go in and chat with. She smiles a lot and makes me comfortable. In the end, I switched to her as my primary doctor. I am happy with that decision. She always seems interested and takes time to explain things to me.

When I gave birth to my son at Sibley, it was Dr. Picco who did the c-section and Dr. Bajaj who assisted. They did a GREAT job. They also both came in to check on me afterwards. Picco's stitching was terrific, no complications, and I have just a small scar. If I need a c-section, I want her again. And when she learned of my second pregnancy, she kind of warmed up a bit. She knows her stuff; she's just always in a hurry and can come off as uncaring (looks just like Marisa Tomei, by the way).

Dr. Newman did my son's circumcision. If I have a boy, I want him to be the one to do it again. Great job (and believe me, I was both scared and freaked out by the thought, but my son was fine in no time at all). He's a really nice man and very knowledgeable. I never had a problem with him when he was my primary care doctor.

Negs...sometimes (okay, most times) there is a LONG wait in the reception area and it drives me NUTS. I've learned to relax and bring a book. Bajaj always apologizes if she's running late. There are definitely a million patients that go to this place. It wasn't always that bad. Also, they aren't always good about sending out results of tests.

Pos...I really like the reception staff (there is one that I know better than the others and she always asks about my son and wants to see photos). I generally don't have a problem with them calling me back.

I am due for my second child in the spring of next year and I plan to stay with this group.

[Anonymous]

I had a natural birth with that practice 3 years ago. They didn't do anything to hinder my birth plan -- they (and the nurses) were fine with a heplock instead of IV, intermittent monitoring, staying out of bed for labor, and no one ever mentioned inducing (and I had a long labor!) But they did insist on my being in bed for delivery -- I'm not sure if that was the nurses or the doctor and at that point I was too tired to fight about it.

Neither did the practice do anything to help my natural labor -- that was all on me, DH, and our doula.

[Anonymous]

This is my first pregnancy, and I am just entering my third trimester. I have been seeing Dr. Bajaj for my entire pregnancy and have absolutely loved her so far. I have found her to be patient with my questions and very knowledgeable.

Very early in my pregnancy, I had a high fever and had to call the doctor on call. Dr. Newman called back within 5 minutes and was also extremely helpful - although I have not yet had an appointment with him. More recently, on a Sunday evening I was having bad abdominal cramping that lasted for several hours. I called the on call physician and again received a return call within 5 minutes - this time from Dr. Jones. When I went in for a follow-up visit the next morning, I saw Dr. Jones. While she did not impress me as being as knowledgeable and patient as Dr. Bajaj, I was satisfied with the experience as a whole.

I agree with others that the office staff could be better, but I have been completely satisfied with my experience so far and would gladly recommend Dr. Bajaj to a friend.

[Anonymous]

Just wanted to say that of all the doctors, Dr. Newman is by far my favorite. Just delivered my second child and everything went well. He's super competent and knowledgable. Dr Bajaj and Dr Picco deliverd my first baby, and I preferred Dr Bajaj's bedside manner to Dr. Picco's. Out of the three, Dr. Newman is the most experienced and the kindest, in my opinion.

[Anonymous]

I had her for #1, absolutely love her and had a natural childbirth with her. We are moving to Boston or I would absolutely use her again.

[Anonymous]

Dr. Newman is fantastic. He was recommended to me by my former GYN who went out of the baby business (still did gyn, just not OB). Dr. Newman is very caring and kind, and COMPLETELY knows his stuff. I had some scary moments during my pregnancy, and Dr. Newman did a great job of managing the medical issues and my concerns. It all depends on your style whether you'd like him. He is no nonsense and very practical, but that fits my style. I would rather have a really smart no-nonsense doc than a less knowledgable hand holder doc.

Newman was awesome, and I wish I still lived in the area so he could be by OB for the next baby.

[Anonymous]

I LOVE Dr. Newman. He was my primary during my pregnancy. My water broke at 32 weeks and I was on hospital bedrest for a week before infection started setting in. Luckily Dr. Newman was there that night and performed my c-section (the baby was also breech)....it went smoothly and I felt completely comfortable under his care. Before the birth all of the doctors in the practice checked in on me while they were in the hospital and I felt very well cared for. Dr. Newman would call me every day to check on me when he wasn't in the hospital...sometimes he would even call in the evening and I could hear a dog barking in the background and dishes clanking - i.e he was calling me from home - which I really appreciated. I will absolutely be going back to this practice with my next child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I LOVE Dr. Newman. He was my primary during my pregnancy. My water broke at 32 weeks and I was on hospital bedrest for a week before infection started setting in. Luckily Dr. Newman was there that night and performed my c-section (the baby was also breech)....it went smoothly and I felt completely comfortable under his care. Before the birth all of the doctors in the practice checked in on me while they were in the hospital and I felt very well cared for. Dr. Newman would call me every day to check on me when he wasn't in the hospital...sometimes he would even call in the evening and I could hear a dog barking in the background and dishes clanking - i.e he was calling me from home - which I really appreciated. I will absolutely be going back to this practice with my next child.

13:49 here. Yes, I had forgotten about Dr. Newman's check in calls. He was really great about following up and checking in on me. I love this guy.