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Where to go for natural birth
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Anonymous
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Hi, I really would like to have a natural birth, and am interested in going to Sibley (I live 5 minutes from there). I need to find a doctor or practice who would support me in this decision. I am already 24 weeks along and am starting to get nervous about finding someone I trust. Any recommendations would be appreciated.
Specifically, I don't want an epidural, I would like to be free to move around, take showers if possible, try different birthing positions and trust that if the doctor recommends a c-section that I/baby would really need it. I understand that if there are serious complications then this may not be possible. PS. I am covered by united health care insurance Thank you! |
Anonymous
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The Midwifery Care Associates are a group of midwives who deliver at Shady Grove Hospital. Their website is: www.midwiferycareassociates.com. I have United and know that they are on my plan.
In DC, the DC Birth Center midwives deliver at their birth center in NE or at Washington Hospital Center. Their website is: http://www.developingfamilies.org/dcbc.html. I don't know whether or not they are covered through United, but I'm sure if you call they will tell you! If you really want a natural birth, midwives are your best bet as that is what they are trained to do. Both of the practices above have doctor backups in case of emergency. If you are at all interested in a homebirth, I have a GREAT nurse-midwife who I am using that I HIGHLY recommend! |
Anonymous
| Thanks for the references! I'll look into both options you recommended. |
Anonymous
| If you want to deliver at a hospital, I recommend Dr. Tchabo at Virginia Hospital Center. |
Anonymous
| You can get everything that you listed at the DC Birth Center. And at Birthcare in Alexandria. Dr. Tchabo is the best OB but even he is limited by the hospital protocols. |
Anonymous
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If you want to try to deliver at home give these ladies a try. I used Tammi and birthed at home.
http://www.traditionalmidwiferyofnova.com/ |
jloukiss
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I would recommend Physicians and Midwives in Alexandria (they delivery at INOVA Alexandria). I also live 5 minutes from Sibley but couldn't find a practice on my insurance (MAMSI) that was also pro-natural childbirth. Moving to Virginia was our best options since Shady Grove is an hour's drive in traffic.
Good luck! Jennifer |
Anonymous
| I have been with Physicians and Midwives for three years. They delivered my daughter as well as saw me through a first trimester miscarriage. I am now 24 weeks in my third pregnancy and have had some horrible experiences with them. In addition, my good friend has had a few unpleasant experiences as well. I do not recommend the practice at all, it is too big, impersonal and too many different opinions exist. |
Anonymous
| Someone recommended Foxhall to me when I was looking for a natural-birth friendly OB. I know they deliver at Sibley. I ended up with Dr. Tchabo, at VHC, who is amazing. |
Anonymous
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I'd be interested in hearing more about the great nurse-midwife you mentioned for homebirths?? I am due at the end of April and couldn't find a homebirth midwife for Montgomery County. I delivered my first son at the Maternity Center before the birth center portion closed. The only homebirth options I could find were Birthcare in Alexandria (more than an hour from our house) or going up to Baltimore (also more than an hour). If you know of a homebirth midwife, I'm still early enough in my pregnancy (25 weeks) that I'd love to be able to switch! Thanks for any info!
Amy |
Anonymous
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Amy - I'm in Mont County, and I'm using Birthcare. I'm just sucking up the hour each way for my appts, and it's totally worth it. They'll come to me when I'm in labor, and that's what counts for me. The midwives there are awesome - very warm, very experienced. I had a negative experience with my last birth at the Maternity Center, and I wish I'd gone this route last time.
I'm 36 1/2 weeks and in the home stretch, and I'm very happy with my decision. |
Anonymous
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Joey Pascarella is a homebirth midwife who lives in Maryland (even though she has a VA phone number). Her website is www.sacredjourneymidwifery.com and her number is 703-981-8438. I'm sure she would be happy to talk to you and even give you names of other homebirth midwives who serve your area so that you could interview a few different midwives.
I agree with you - birthcare and baltimore are both pretty far. If it were me, I'd definitely want to find someone who was closer! As it is, I drive 45 minutes to my prenatals with Birthcare, and next time I will find something better because it is just a pain in the butt. Good luck! |
Anonymous
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I was actually planning to deliver with Joey originally but she is due to have a baby around the same time as mine so she's not taking clients with April/May deliveries. I did ask her for other CNMs who do homebirths but the only one she knew was Evelyn Muhlhan up in Baltimore.
I would definitely do the drive to birthcare or up to Baltimore to see Evelyn if I didn't have a 3-year-old in tow! I'm contemplating making the switch anyway. I like one of the 3 midwives at the former Maternity Center (which is where I'm currently receiving prenatal care), but I'm not crazy about the other two, so my chances aren't great of getting the one I really like. Plus being in the hospital. Sigh. Thanks for the suggestions! Amy |
Anonymous
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Oh, did you try calling MAMAS? (Metropolitan Area Midwifery and Allied Services) They are a new homebirth practice which may (or may not) be open for births in the Spring. Try calling Erin at 301-412-8800 or Mairi at 301-674-9976. They are both very experienced CNMs, and I think they are just trying to get their backup OB sorted out before they start taking patients -- and they might be ready by now! Also, they might have other names for you.
There is another AWESOME, very experienced and popular homebirth midwife who practices in MD, and she is halfway between DC and Baltimore. I don't know her legal status, so I am reluctant to post her name and number here. Are you interested? If so, let's figure out a way for you to get this info. |
Anonymous
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I hadn't heard of MAMAs but I'll definitely look into them. Thanks for the suggestion! I'm assuming the other midwife you're referring to is a CPM. I actually do need a CNM b/c I'll need IV antibiotics in labor and my understanding from talking to several CPMs is that they can't administer them. But I don't want to have to deliver in a hospital just to get antibiotics! Thanks so much for the suggestion -- I'll call MAMAs right now and let you know what I find out!
Amy |