Looking for feedback on giving birth at Virginia Hospital Center.

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[Post New]12/07/2010 20:41
mnpremo
Member Offline
I was wondering if someone out there could give me some good, recent, feedback on giving birth at Virginia Hospital Center. I've heard good things about Fairfax Inova Center, but I'd REALLY like to hear what you all have to say about VHC - pluses and minuses!

Thanks so much. This is my first baby, so I REALLY appreciate it!
[Post New]12/07/2010 20:50
Anonymous
A recent discussion:

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/66504.page

I was not the OP, but one who had a negative experience. I would say to carefully choose your provider first; the rest is largely a crapshoot. Most of the hospitals in this area offer excellent care.
[Post New]12/07/2010 21:02
mnpremo
Member Offline
WOW! This REALLY helps! Thank you! I had done a search on VHC, but the only posting that came up was from 2008, so I'm SO GLAD you sent me the link!
[Post New]12/07/2010 22:22
Anonymous
I posted to the thread listed by the pp. Just Had #2 there this weekend and we had a great experience. I arrived on Saturday and came home yesterday. I wasn't in l&d long enough to have a lot to say about our nurse there but we were very happy with the recovery nursing staff. The food there is remarkably good for a hospital. I had a midwife and doula, which contributed to a wonderful delivery exPerience.

Would be happy to answer any specific questions since I just left yesterday! Sorry for typos-nursing my new little one!
[Post New]12/08/2010 14:54
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I posted to the thread listed by the pp. Just Had #2 there this weekend and we had a great experience. I arrived on Saturday and came home yesterday. I wasn't in l&d long enough to have a lot to say about our nurse there but we were very happy with the recovery nursing staff. The food there is remarkably good for a hospital. I had a midwife and doula, which contributed to a wonderful delivery exPerience.

Would be happy to answer any specific questions since I just left yesterday! Sorry for typos-nursing my new little one!


I'd be very interested in hearing how you handled your birth preferences...did you have a birth plan already in your chart? Were the nurses receptive to it, discuss it with you? I want to have a drug-free birth, but I do not have a midwife or doula (I'm with the Bannon/Armstong practice), so I am concerned how well it will go without that support system. My husband and mother will be with me and they both read 'The Birth Partner' and are completely on board with my drug-free plan. But since much of the experience will depend on the nurses, I would love to hear about your experiences with them and how you approached it. Thanks much!
[Post New]12/08/2010 15:01
Anonymous
I only have good things to say about VHC (except I didnt like their lactation consultants at all). I had a csection there last october and will be delivering there again this spring. Im with the Bannon/Armstrong practice which is amazing.
[Post New]12/08/2010 17:57
Anonymous
20:50 here, had a birth plan (drug free), but ended up with an induction, so I didn't bring it. My first nurse asked for my birth plan, so we discussed. I said I didn't want drugs, but given the induction, I was more open to it if I needed it. Second nurse came a few hours later, didn't discuss or push anything. When my water broke and labor started (really fast < 2 hrs) I asked for "help"...shower, anything? She just said "nope, you're just gonna want the epidural". I did not feel talked into it, but in the end was pissed because when I asked for it, I was clearly (in retrospect) in transition, but the nurse just kept telling me we were waiting until morning to start pitocin. I had the baby literally within 10 min of the epi, so it was just kind of useless.

My advice: get a doula. I didn't want one either. It's not for if things go according to plan, it's for in case your nurse is a total dumbass who can't see that you're about to give birth, because she was planning on waiting til morning...
[Post New]12/09/2010 16:51
Anonymous
I gave birth at VHC 2 weeks ago and couldn't have asked for a better birth experience. It was our first baby and I have to say that all of the nurses, doctors, and residents were wonderful. Wonderful. (Actually there was just one nurse that was awful, but everyone else was great.)
I was hoping for a vaginal birth, but ended up with an emergency c-section with the doctor on call. I was disappointed, but I feel OK about the birth. My scar is barely noticeable 2 weeks out and the recovery is going better than I expected.
Most of all I loved the way my husband and I were treated with respect and dignity. They brought him meals with mine. The doctors and nurses listened to our concerns, explained everything, and answered as many questions we had about the birth without rushing out of the room.
I would choose VHC again without question. Plus, the hospital is so clean.
[Post New]12/09/2010 17:27
Anonymous
I am very grateful for this info, thanks posters! Not the OP, but a soon-to-be-mom who will be going to VHC.

I am hiring a doula to attend my birth, though it will not be a midwife birth (it's my first and I'm a little concerned about not going with an OB, and I LOVE my OBs at Women to Women). My doula has only attended VHC births with midwives before, though she is very open to working with my OB.

Those of you who had c-sections after hoping for a vaginal birth (i.e. not scheduled c-sections) -- what led to the c-section, if you don't mind me asking? I am trying to determine if VHC pushes c-sections more than usual? I REALLY want a vaginal birth.
[Post New]12/09/2010 20:04
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:

Those of you who had c-sections after hoping for a vaginal birth (i.e. not scheduled c-sections) -- what led to the c-section, if you don't mind me asking? I am trying to determine if VHC pushes c-sections more than usual? I REALLY want a vaginal birth.


Not one of the PPs, but I had a csection at VHC because the baby was breech.
[Post New]12/09/2010 20:44
Anonymous
Another poster who had a C-section at VHC because the baby was breech. This was in 2008, so it's been a few years.

I had a pretty bad experience there. My OB and the C-section/recover were fine. Good anesthesiologist.

However, my experiences with the nurses was TERRIBLE. Out of all the shifts over 4 days, there were only 2 decent nurses. Maybe they were overworked? The lactation consultant wasn't helpful at all. We had to find our own LC after getting out of the hospital. They couldn't find a pedi to discharge us, couldn't find a doctor to take out my catheter, etc. etc. I had students come in a few times when all I really wanted to do was just sleep (now I know I could've said 'No' to that). It was all just a bad experience.

I'm planning to deliver elsewhere if I get pregnant again. VHC was just not a great experience overall for me. I know some people have been happy there, so of course, YMMV.
[Post New]12/09/2010 21:39
Anonymous
I posted on that linked thread, as well as many other VHC threads. I had an unmedicated birth in 2009, with Karen King as my certified nurse midwife and a doula.

I had the best experience I could have imagined - it exceeded my expectations. Maybe that is because I didn't have any interventions or drugs, so my circle of contact was with mostly familiar people who knew what I wanted and helped me to achieve those goals. Also, the L&D nurses knew I wanted to go drug-free and they REALLY supported me at every step.

I have nothing but positive things to say about the facilities, nursing staff (both L&D and post-partum nurses), etc. Some of this (I think) has to do with my preparation, approach, and attitude. For example, the lactation consultant didn't wow me right off the bat, but I had studied breastfeeding a lot in advance AND had a baby who was born to latch, so fortunately I didn't need the LC.

Overall, I think it's a great facility with professionals who really want the best for you. I love the small and intimate feel. I can see why some people might have different experiences - birth is inherently unpredictable! - but I do think this board seems to draw out some complainers. A number of my friends have delivered at VHC, and they all had good or great experiences too. I don't have any friends who had a bad experience or who wouldn't deliver there again.

I am delivering again in a few months and am looking forward to going back. I hope and believe I will have the same type of positive experience. Good luck!

P.S. A hospital doesn't "push" for c-sections. It's the doctor who might suggest or encourage one. So as a PP said, if you choose a doctor and OB practice you feel comfortable with, that is the key thing. Also, the need for c-sections is often not clear-cut (like a breech baby), but follows after a number of other decisions or interventions have led to that point - none of which may be "bad" or "unnecessary" in their own right, but that can be their cumulative effect - like inductions, laboring in a bed, etc. Start with watching "the Business of Being Born" or read an Ina May Gaskin book for a feel for this if you really want to avoid a c-section.
[Post New]12/09/2010 23:17
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I posted on that linked thread, as well as many other VHC threads. I had an unmedicated birth in 2009, with Karen King as my certified nurse midwife and a doula.

I had the best experience I could have imagined - it exceeded my expectations. Maybe that is because I didn't have any interventions or drugs, so my circle of contact was with mostly familiar people who knew what I wanted and helped me to achieve those goals. Also, the L&D nurses knew I wanted to go drug-free and they REALLY supported me at every step.

I have nothing but positive things to say about the facilities, nursing staff (both L&D and post-partum nurses), etc. Some of this (I think) has to do with my preparation, approach, and attitude. For example, the lactation consultant didn't wow me right off the bat, but I had studied breastfeeding a lot in advance AND had a baby who was born to latch, so fortunately I didn't need the LC.

Overall, I think it's a great facility with professionals who really want the best for you. I love the small and intimate feel. I can see why some people might have different experiences - birth is inherently unpredictable! - but I do think this board seems to draw out some complainers. A number of my friends have delivered at VHC, and they all had good or great experiences too. I don't have any friends who had a bad experience or who wouldn't deliver there again.

I am delivering again in a few months and am looking forward to going back. I hope and believe I will have the same type of positive experience. Good luck!

P.S. A hospital doesn't "push" for c-sections. It's the doctor who might suggest or encourage one. So as a PP said, if you choose a doctor and OB practice you feel comfortable with, that is the key thing. Also, the need for c-sections is often not clear-cut (like a breech baby), but follows after a number of other decisions or interventions have led to that point - none of which may be "bad" or "unnecessary" in their own right, but that can be their cumulative effect - like inductions, laboring in a bed, etc. Start with watching "the Business of Being Born" or read an Ina May Gaskin book for a feel for this if you really want to avoid a c-section.


Thanks, PP! I am the person who asked about c-sections -- I am also getting a doula and taking Bradley, so hopefully I'll be educated enough to know what my options are. I'm glad your shared your experience!
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