We're finally pregnant!

[Anonymous]

...and now I need a new doctor! I'm leaving Reiter and Hill because I'm tired of the factory-feel.
I had a miscarriage last summer and while the physicians were ok (Maungman) the front staff is horrendous and the ultrasound tech woman was the worst.
I'd like someone who is open to me having a Doula and can admit at Sibley but I really need a calm, nurturing environment - that's more important than the hospital to me.
Someone recommended Whitney Pringer, a CNM that practices at Washington Hospital Center. Does anyone have an opinion about that?
Are there other options I don't know of?
Thanks in advance,
Rae

[Anonymous]

CONGRATULATIONS! I love midwives! I too was planning on delivering at Sibley, but then decided that the practitioner was more important than the hospital. I delivered at Washington Hospital Center with the midwives from the DC Birth Center. It is absolutely worth considering. I have raved about them in previous posts. I now see the midwives at Midwifery Care Associates for my well woman visits. (DCBC just became too difficult for me to get to and this is more convenient.) I believe that the MCA midwives deliver at Shady Grove. I wish you luck!

[Anonymous]

Don't have any recommendations but I do want to say a big congratulations!

[Anonymous]

My doctor is Dr. Bajaj at Capital Women's Care...I know there have been a lot of mixed reviews about her on this board but I think she's great. I had a Doula in the hospital (Sibley) with me and Dr. Bajaj had no problem with that. I also wrote up a birth plan which I gave her a copy of and again, she had no issues with that. She stayed with me thoughout the entire pushing stage (3 hours) and checked in on me frequently before that. No pressure to medicate or not to medicate - I felt the choice was completely up to me. And although I did choose an epidural towards the end, before the epidural, no problem with being able to walk around etc.

[Anonymous]

I haven't worked with Whitney Pinger clinically, but I had a meeting with her and found her to be very helpful and knowledgeable. If you are interested in taking a "natural" approach, she seems to be a great choice (I would work with her) and I get the sense that she would be a wonderful advocate.

[Anonymous]

I am a local doula, and my vote is YES to Whitney Pinger, and YES to the DC Birth Center midwives at Washington Hospital Center. If you want a low-intervention, natural birth your best bet is to go with a midwife. They will be thrilled that you have a doula, too.

If you definitely want to stay at Sibley, try Drs. Sanders and Schaffel, or a solo practioners like Dr. DeSouza. Make sure you ask upfront how they feel about you having a doula and trying for a low-intervention birth.

Congratulations on your pregnancy, and congratulations on leaving the big, high-intervention, OB practice. Good for you! Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Nancy Sanders and Janet Schaffel both fit the bill. The downside is they don't participate in any insurance plans. Basically, you pay up front, and their staff submits the bill to your insurance company so you can be reimbursed at 70 percent or whatever your insurer will cover out of network.

Still, well worth it if you can afford it. Here's their web site: http://www.womenob-gyn.com/custom.asp?id=247123&page=1

[Anonymous]

I am in a different area but just wnated to echo the congratulations!