c-section -- Sibley or GW?
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Anonymous
| I had two horrible deliveries at Sibley and would never go back. The nurses are nonresponsponive and unprofessional. I have a number of examples of poor care that put both me and my children at risk. For example, at one point a cleaning lady ended up helping me when my daughter was choking in her bassinet because no nurses were found..... Even my very laid back husband was horrified by the care a refuses to be a part of another delivery there. |
Anonymous
A recent change in NICU designations means that GWU and Shady Grove are technically both III(b) NICUs. However, if my child was sick, I would go to GWU. No question. Honestly, if I went into pre-term labor before 30 weeks, I would go to GWU and take my chances, even though my own doctor is at Sibley and it would mean another OB (probably a resident) delivering. But what are the odds of you having a pre-term infant? And are you so high risk that you need the MFMs at GWU? Also, how much does the teaching hospital thing matter to you? Do you know what being at a teaching hospital means? |
Anonymous
Can you elaborate? What is the difference? |
Anonymous
NICUs are given "levels" based of the care they are able to provide, with higher levels indicating that they can provide the most care for the neediest infants (i.e. those born 28 weeks or earlier). It is determined by the different types of equipment they have, plus specialized staff, plus being connected to a larger medical center that can provide complex surgeries to neonates on site. To me, reputation and surgical ability are what distinguish GWU over SG. It used to be that NICUs were levels I through V. GWU was a IV. Then they got rid of levels IV and V, and reclassified different levels of III instead, so now you have IIIa, IIIb and IIIc. SG and GWU are now both IIIb. In DC, the only higher level NICU is Children's, which is Level IIIc and part of the GWU teaching network. Of course, you can't deliver at Children's for obvious reasons. LO has to be transferred there. But again, these are super specialized services that most of us will never need, so it's probably not worth planning your delivery around NICU level unless you are extremely high risk, in which I'd think you want to be with the MFM specialists at GWU anyway. Signed, Mom whose own OB delivers at Sibley |
Anonymous
PP here. Ok, so the difference lies merely in your personal judgment of ability and reputation. I figured that would be the case, but I thought maybe you know more than I do. I am familiar with the change in NICU designations, although I don't know there used to be a Level V - I think level IV became Level IIIc, but I might be wrong about this. I am pretty sure, however, that Georgetown also has a IIIc (formerly IV) NICU. |
Anonymous
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I just delivered with Dr. Macri at GW. Loved him. Very familiar with high-risk and AMA moms, non-hysterical, and generally enjoyable. Also spent some time with Larsen, the head of the department. Dry wit, very competent.
I have another friend who likes Metz quite a bit. |
jindc
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I had an emergency c at GW 18 days ago. Was there about a week total (labor and recovery). 99% of my nurses were fantastic. They were so helpful but pain management was an issue - pain mess weren't scheduled so I found I was trying to care for baby and walk and would then be in horrible pain because is gone too long. I had to ask many times for basic mess like gas x and colace to get that stuff going. I was about to have my DH go to cvs for them. But all in all the care was amazing and honestly the location of GW is a huge help. My husband was able to get out for a bit each day and stay sane. He was able to get us food - our last night we had burgers and shakes.
Lastly the private rooms, while small, are invaluable. Having recovered in a hospital for a c, I couldn't imagine a shared room. It'd be horrible. |
Anonymous
Thank you so much! this conversation has been very helpful. we live right next to GW and based on what I am reading I think its a no brainer to go there... I have no problem with a teaching hospital-- as long as OB does surgery which I will clarify. I am high risk only by age, but then again I am only 8 weeks and it is my first pregnancy so I have little idea what else may be in store... so far so good.  Also like not having to worry about paying for a private room esp when it is seemingly the norm at every other hospital. NICU is also top level in area so I think my decision is made... will try to get in with Macri, Larson or Metz. appreciate the discussion v much!
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Anonymous
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Metz was my doctor and if you are high risk I would opt against it. She is also pregnant so will likely be out for a good bit of your pregnancy. I was NOT high risk and wanted an unmediated labor - I worked hard to prepare. My BP was higher than she was comfy with all pregnancy despite NO other issues so I was induced which led to a c section. The reason I needed a c section was that my baby's cord was around his neck twice, no other issues so I am thankful we eventually did the c section. But I had to go through three horrible days of labor to get there!
I do like Metz and I chose her for my Unmedicated birth. However if going in there could be risk issues I would pick another doctor. Also, residents do c sections. Mine was done by Metz and a resident. Metz happened to be on call when I was declared a failed induction. If you have any more questions let me know! It's still fresh in my mind for now! -JinDC |
Anonymous
Thank JinDC. So, I have no choice on whether a resident does the surgery?? thats seems a bit extreme...if I ask for my doc to do will I lose that battle? Whats the point of seeing 1 doc if a student does the surgery on D-day?! |
Anonymous
Residents are doctors not students, interns do not preform surgery. But you can refuse to have a resident treat you (just as you can refuse treatment from any medical professional) , know this may piss off your OB since they believe in the teaching hospital model. |
Anonymous
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A resident is a doctor.
There will be an attending there. I had an attending and resident. GW is a teaching hospital. You will see many residents and interns but they are all doctors. I was hesitant at first too but they were all for the most part great (aside from the doc who told me "we won't just give you a section here!" When is been in labor for over 2 days and was begging for it to be over). Students are a different story and you can ask to not have them involved. There were no students in my c section (which was at night so maybe that's why no one observed?). Also, at GW the odds the doc you see will deliver you unless you specifically schedule your c section with them - and even then I'd say there is no guarantee - are low. Metz did mine because it was her day on call. And in L&D I think the nurses matter more. You see the doc very little even for a c section. |
Anonymous
| ^^ was me, JinDC (didn't want to sign in) |
Anonymous
| Bathgate also gets good reviews here and specializes in high risk. |
Anonymous
I wouldn't want a resident doing my c section. |