GW

[Anonymous]

I delivered my second at GW in 2017. I chose GW because I had a c-section with my first at Virginia Hospital Center and wanted to go for a VBAC with my second. I had gestation diabetes with my second which meant I could not see the midwives and saw the OBs. I was monitored regularly leading up to delivery. I very much did not care for Dr. Meghan Valentine, whom I saw several times, and ultimately ended up being the doctor who delivered my baby. They pushed for me to be induced, and when I declined, she basically told me to present at the ER if my baby stopped moving. Made me feel terrible and terrified. But, since I had gone into labor with my first, I knew and had confidence that my body could do it again with my second and I did not need to be induced. My prenatal chiropractor and doula also helped encourage me with information about baby's positioning and progress as the weeks ticked by.

Within one hour of arriving at the hospital, my daughter was born. My body basically started pushing as soon as I got onto the bed and they tried to examine me. The anesthesiologist was on call in case I wanted an epidural. As my labor progressed, the OB thought she may have seen meconium in the fluid and a whole entourage of staff immediately arrived in the room for the remainder of the delivery in case my daughter needed NICU support due meconium, etc. Ultimately it was not meconium and my daughter was fine upon delivery.

My post delivery gripe was with the resistance towards pain meds. My daughter moved my tailbone out of her way on her way out, and I had A LOT of pain and discomfort accordingly. I think since opioids are a big issue in DC, GW, at least then, has a pretty restrictive policy re: giving them to patients. I wanted to unleash on the staff and point out that I had just successfully given birth without meds--if I was asking for pain meds, there was a reason.

Ultimately I picked GW because I wanted a hospital that wouldn't just push me to c-section like the experience I had at VHC. GW didn't have a choice since I showed up and started pushing basically. It wasn't glamourous, but, it wasn't terrible, and I got the end result I was aiming for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I delivered my second at GW in 2017. I chose GW because I had a c-section with my first at Virginia Hospital Center and wanted to go for a VBAC with my second. I had gestation diabetes with my second which meant I could not see the midwives and saw the OBs. I was monitored regularly leading up to delivery. I very much did not care for Dr. Meghan Valentine, whom I saw several times, and ultimately ended up being the doctor who delivered my baby. They pushed for me to be induced, and when I declined, she basically told me to present at the ER if my baby stopped moving. Made me feel terrible and terrified. But, since I had gone into labor with my first, I knew and had confidence that my body could do it again with my second and I did not need to be induced. My prenatal chiropractor and doula also helped encourage me with information about baby's positioning and progress as the weeks ticked by.

Within one hour of arriving at the hospital, my daughter was born. My body basically started pushing as soon as I got onto the bed and they tried to examine me. The anesthesiologist was on call in case I wanted an epidural. As my labor progressed, the OB thought she may have seen meconium in the fluid and a whole entourage of staff immediately arrived in the room for the remainder of the delivery in case my daughter needed NICU support due meconium, etc. Ultimately it was not meconium and my daughter was fine upon delivery.

My post delivery gripe was with the resistance towards pain meds. My daughter moved my tailbone out of her way on her way out, and I had A LOT of pain and discomfort accordingly. I think since opioids are a big issue in DC, GW, at least then, has a pretty restrictive policy re: giving them to patients. I wanted to unleash on the staff and point out that I had just successfully given birth without meds--if I was asking for pain meds, there was a reason.

Ultimately I picked GW because I wanted a hospital that wouldn't just push me to c-section like the experience I had at VHC. GW didn't have a choice since I showed up and started pushing basically. It wasn't glamourous, but, it wasn't terrible, and I got the end result I was aiming for.

This is fascinating because I gave birth there in 2018 and they put me on an opioid postpartum that was contraindicated for breastfeeding without telling me that, even though they knew I was breastfeeding, and I wonder if those pills were one of the reasons I had such a hard time producing milk. There was no attempt at informed consent.

[Anonymous]

I had to make the call on my own to do a c section despite the resident telling me we can wait and try to get to "active labor". I told them after all of this, I don't want my baby to be brain dead. After all was said and done, that decision saved me and my baby's life. Shortly after delivery, my blood pressure skyrocketed and they were unable to bring it down for a while, in the midst of that, I had postpartum hemorrhage, the ICU was already called and on standby. Thank God they got everything under control.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had to make the call on my own to do a c section despite the resident telling me we can wait and try to get to "active labor". I told them after all of this, I don't want my baby to be brain dead. After all was said and done, that decision saved me and my baby's life. Shortly after delivery, my blood pressure skyrocketed and they were unable to bring it down for a while, in the midst of that, I had postpartum hemorrhage, the ICU was already called and on standby. Thank God they got everything under control.

Sounds very traumatic and glad you’re doing ok now. I also had a rocky delivery and appreciated the various teams like ICU and NICU on standby.

[Anonymous]

I delivered at GW in February and had a great experience w my VBAC. The entire team was supportive, including anesthesia (Dr. Roland, i think). It was such a positive experience as compared to my first child (delivered at Shady Grove). The nurses were great; Dr. Jamshidi was very encouraging of my VBAC plans; and anesthesia was very attentive too.
I cant say enough good things!

[Anonymous]

Bumping this as I prepare to deliver at GW soon. Any other recent experiences?

[Anonymous]

I am so sorry for the people who had losses and bad experiences.

I had two positive, successful deliveries with the midwives. For the first I was in active labor for 36+ hours although my water didn’t break until I was pushing. At multiple points the midwives offered an epidural to help me rest and told that c section was a possibility if I got too tired to push.
The second labor was precipitous with delivery less than 2 hours after my contractions started. The baby was stressed and they gave me 4-5 pushes to try before going to a c-section. I was on my hands and knees pushing, but my husband said there was a full medical team behind me ready to whisk me to surgery. The delivery was not traumatic to me - but they were worried it might have been. They checked on me a few times at home and had booked extra time and brought a psychiatrist to my 6 week check up in case I wanted to talk about it in detail.
Both times I felt very supported and safe. I did not feel pressured to avoid an epidural or c section “at all costs”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am so sorry for the people who had losses and bad experiences.

I had two positive, successful deliveries with the midwives. For the first I was in active labor for 36+ hours although my water didn’t break until I was pushing. At multiple points the midwives offered an epidural to help me rest and told that c section was a possibility if I got too tired to push.
The second labor was precipitous with delivery less than 2 hours after my contractions started. The baby was stressed and they gave me 4-5 pushes to try before going to a c-section. I was on my hands and knees pushing, but my husband said there was a full medical team behind me ready to whisk me to surgery. The delivery was not traumatic to me - but they were worried it might have been. They checked on me a few times at home and had booked extra time and brought a psychiatrist to my 6 week check up in case I wanted to talk about it in detail.
Both times I felt very supported and safe. I did not feel pressured to avoid an epidural or c section “at all costs”

Wow I had what in retrospect was a pretty traumatic birth (induced for 4 days with absolutely no progression followed by c section. The long induction was my choice but getting double anesthesia on the table and having no memory of my daughter’s birth was not). I didn’t get any of this psych care. Probably could have used it. That said I’ll likely be back at GW for VBAC if I go into labor next time, their team is exceptional. Gave birth in December 2023.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:anyone know if bethesda has a sonographer again yet? they told me in sept they were trying to hire someone

Still no sonographer (or NSTs) as of November. I had my scans done at a private MFM practice so that I wouldn't have to go in to DC (I had all my prenatals in Bethesda)

What practice? Maybe I'll do that if ivf is successful- had probably 8 ultrasounds last pregnancy and can't imagine going to DC for all

I saw Dr Richie Broth at TLC Perinatal. He has several offices, I saw him in Silver Spring because it was closest to my house. He’s fantastic and sending scans/reports to GW was seamless.

Hope IVF was/is successful for you!

[Anonymous]

Had a recent C-Section that was unplanned but not an emergency and all went very smoothly. Residents were fine and I was able to see the attending when I had more serious questions that I wanted answered. I felt like the nurses in both L&D and postpartum took great care of me too!

I read a few posts about pain management. They asked frequently about my pain and were good about giving me meds on time. I feel like they pushed me to walk around more than I wanted to which was probably good for my healing.

[Anonymous]

Recently birthed my second baby at GW. First baby was delivered at another hospital, long induction for preeclampsia that ended with an emergency cesarean. I did not have trauma per sey but really did not feel heard. Day and night compared to GW. Everyone was kind, exceptionally knowledgeable and respected by decisions. They made clear recommendations and I was able to have a VBAC. I was monitored closely for postpartum preeclampsia and was given medication to prevent. I highly recommend GW. As far as tips, bring an extra pillow and snacks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:anyone know if bethesda has a sonographer again yet? they told me in sept they were trying to hire someone

Still no sonographer (or NSTs) as of November. I had my scans done at a private MFM practice so that I wouldn't have to go in to DC (I had all my prenatals in Bethesda)

What practice? Maybe I'll do that if ivf is successful- had probably 8 ultrasounds last pregnancy and can't imagine going to DC for all

I saw Dr Richie Broth at TLC Perinatal. He has several offices, I saw him in Silver Spring because it was closest to my house. He’s fantastic and sending scans/reports to GW was seamless.

Hope IVF was/is successful for you!

Think you were responding to me- just delivered that baby at gw and all went well, though I did find having to go to foggy bottom a pain given I live in md and did miss the convenience of the Bethesda office

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:anyone know if bethesda has a sonographer again yet? they told me in sept they were trying to hire someone

Still no sonographer (or NSTs) as of November. I had my scans done at a private MFM practice so that I wouldn't have to go in to DC (I had all my prenatals in Bethesda)

What practice? Maybe I'll do that if ivf is successful- had probably 8 ultrasounds last pregnancy and can't imagine going to DC for all

I saw Dr Richie Broth at TLC Perinatal. He has several offices, I saw him in Silver Spring because it was closest to my house. He’s fantastic and sending scans/reports to GW was seamless.

Hope IVF was/is successful for you!

Think you were responding to me- just delivered that baby at gw and all went well, though I did find having to go to foggy bottom a pain given I live in md and did miss the convenience of the Bethesda office

I went to the Bethesda office for most of my appointments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Recently birthed my second baby at GW. First baby was delivered at another hospital, long induction for preeclampsia that ended with an emergency cesarean. I did not have trauma per sey but really did not feel heard. Day and night compared to GW. Everyone was kind, exceptionally knowledgeable and respected by decisions. They made clear recommendations and I was able to have a VBAC. I was monitored closely for postpartum preeclampsia and was given medication to prevent. I highly recommend GW. As far as tips, bring an extra pillow and snacks.

NP - did they let you eat during your VBAC labor? Will be trying for a VBAC there and wondering about this (and know I could ask my dr….).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:anyone know if bethesda has a sonographer again yet? they told me in sept they were trying to hire someone

Still no sonographer (or NSTs) as of November. I had my scans done at a private MFM practice so that I wouldn't have to go in to DC (I had all my prenatals in Bethesda)

What practice? Maybe I'll do that if ivf is successful- had probably 8 ultrasounds last pregnancy and can't imagine going to DC for all

I saw Dr Richie Broth at TLC Perinatal. He has several offices, I saw him in Silver Spring because it was closest to my house. He’s fantastic and sending scans/reports to GW was seamless.

Hope IVF was/is successful for you!

Think you were responding to me- just delivered that baby at gw and all went well, though I did find having to go to foggy bottom a pain given I live in md and did miss the convenience of the Bethesda office

I went to the Bethesda office for most of my appointments.

Jealous- I had ultrasounds at all but 1 of my appointments and saw a mfm only located downtown this pregnancy, when initially scheduling they didn't give me any bethesda dr options so opted for the mfm for consistency but would've pieced preferred Marko or jamshidi