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Question for people who've delivered at Georgetown
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Anonymous
| I'm 37 weeks pregnant with my first baby and starting to think through the logistics of getting to the hospital, etc. when I go into labor. My doctor said that since it's my first baby I should call first before coming to the hospital. Here's a question I was too embarrassed to ask: how do I call and get through to someone? Everytime I call GUH I get an automated answering service. When I'm in labor do I press "0" (for medical emergencies) or "4" to leave a message? I don't think I'm really going to want to leave a message and wait to have someone call me back, but on the other hand I'm not sure it's truly emergent...anyone have an answer? Thanks in advance. I know this is an insane question... |
Anonymous
| I was given a folder with information early in my pregnancy. There are some sheets with phone numbers and instructions. I called when my water broke and left a message for the on call OB to call me back. It took maybe...15 minutes? I did not sense any urgency (expected a call back in the next 30 minutes or so) but if it was urgent, I would go to the hospital and leave a message that I was on my way. Things usually aren't urgent - best to stay calm and cool (I took a quick shower, got my things together and did a load of laundry before going in). |
Anonymous
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You hit O.
You can also just go. When you get to L & D just go to triage. I called once from the car and just said- I am on my way, no need to call back. |
Anonymous
Also as a point of reference, my contractions on DC #1 started at 9:00pm on Monday night. He was born at 5:45 pm (drumroll, please).....Thursday. I could have walked there and back several times. It's really not urgent! 
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Anonymous
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202 4448531, this is their automated service, press 8 during the office hours, and past the office hours the member of staff picks up immediately. An alternative number is 2024442000.
I am also 37+ weeks and will be delivering there, so maybe we'll meet in the L&D! Good luck 
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Anonymous
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"You hit O.
You can also just go. When you get to L & D just go to triage. I called once from the car and just said- I am on my way, no need to call back. " For your first time you probably don't want to go right away. They could send you back home. If you want a natural birth you are better off laboring at home for more time. If you go in early there is a much higher chance that they will speed up your delivery for you. |
Anonymous
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Agreed with all the PP - just call the main number and leave a message for the on call doctor. If you think ANYTHING is wrong/serious, head straight to L&D. They'll take care of you and won't hesitate to send you home if things end up not being serious and/or progressing Of course, during office hours, you can just talk to the on call nurse -- the on call nurse (forgot her name) was awesome every single time I called (like 3+ times) and always had good advice for me.
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Anonymous
| For 1st time mom's, the drs like do a little bit of a filter as to when to come in. If you call, someone will call you right back. I went into labor for both of my children after hours and had a call back within 15 minutes. There are many 1st time mom's who can labor at home a bit longer than going in at the 1st sign of labor. However, there are others (myself included) who cannot. I was 4 cm at my appt at 40 weeks and went directly to the hospital when my contractions started. I was 8 1/2 cm when I arrived - baby arrived 4 hours later. I was strep B+ and was not in labor long enough to be given the antibiotics. The nurses monitored my child after delivery to ensure he did not contract it during delivery. |
Anonymous
| PP, was your child with you when the nurses monitored him/her for strep B or did they take the baby away? |
Anonymous
It is my understanding that the chances of passing strep B to your infant increase with the length of time that you are in labor. Given that my labor was so short, the nurses were just aware that I was strep B positive and that I did not get antibiotics and just kept an eye for anything that would indicate that it was passed to my child during our stay. They did not do any "tests" on him. [note: my for my 2nd child I was also strep B + and once again I had a quick labor and did not get antibiotics. Both children were fine] I sent my children to the nursery each night so that I could sleep and asked the nurse to bring me my child when they were hungry so that I could nurse. I also sent my husband home each evening so that he could get a good rest. There are more than enough nights following delivery that we were all up together. |
Anonymous
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Thanks, that was good to know, PP. I am GBS+ and a bit worried that if I don't have time to take antibiotics they would have to closely monitor or even treat the baby prophylactically and maybe take him away from me. I guess just one of those crazy pregnant ideas of mine
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