Trying to narrow down a birth location and provider
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Anonymous
| I’m a FTM, due in April, and am trying to figure out where to give birth. I originally had been planning GW midwives, but a conversation with a doula who mentioned recent high turn over, heavy traffic and teaching doctor traffic, plus feedback from online forums highlighting some major concerns have me changing my mind. I’m considering Sibley but would want a more midwife-like experience (freedom of movement/positioning choice during labor/unmedicated if possible) and I’m not entirely sure that’s possible there. I’m also rethinking the WHC, which from what I understand is not as spa-like as Sibley but people seem to overall like the vibe of the midwives. We are in Mount Rainier, Md, so the AWC is a bit of a drive. Any providers or insight would be very much appreciated. |
Anonymous
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Love the WHC midwives. It’s funny that you say you’ve heard negative things about the GW midwives, because I’m hoping for a VBAC and they have the most VBAC friendly reputation, so I’ve toyed the the idea of switching to them.
The WHC midwives have a monthly meet and greet, that’s a great way to get a feel for the practice. |
Anonymous
| I wasn't with the midwives but WHC was great for me and given your location, by far the most convenient. All of the nurses and doctors were so great. The post-partum room was small and a little worn, but it's an old building and you just want to get out of there and go home anyway. I think I got terrific care. |
Anonymous
| I loved my births at Sibley but it is definitely more difficult to have a “midwife-like experience” there. So you are right to cross it off your list. |
Anonymous
The office building is perfectly nice and easy to get to/ in and out of. |
Anonymous
| I delivered at WHC with the midwives. Loved my standing birth and calm room. Delivery room was huge and nice from what little I remember of it. Postpartum room was totally fine! I’ll go back for #2. I’m in Silver Spring and GW is too far. I don’t want to deliver at Sibley because I want the midwives and doula. Some doulas won’t even go to Sibley they are too anti-doula. |
jsmith123
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My first was with the GW midwives and I had a great experience. My second started out with the midwives, but I had to transition to the GW OBs because of a complication that was likely going to result in a C-section.
I really liked the OB practice, and I remember one of them saying that due to their close work of the midwives, the philosophies sorta "rubbed off" on the OBs. She said it better, but it made sense. |
Anonymous
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If you want hospital midwives it's between GW and WHC. Given your location, WHC is a no-brainer. Their midwives are excellent. Keep in mind if you want a natural birth you should be planning to labor at home until active labor, then head to the hospital. In that situation you want to be as close as possible to the hospital. It is not a fun drive during the throes of labor and things can move quickly even as a FTM.
Agree with PP you should go to the meet and greet before you decide. GL! |
Anonymous
Agreed. I don't think Sibley is anti-doula but there is a not a midwife practice there. I am sure certain providers have a bit more of the midwife mindset but I don't think Sibley is your best choice |
Anonymous
| Love the WHC midwives! And actually every provider I interacted with during my pregnancy and L&D except for one ?MFM that I only saw once (Dr. Katz). For reasons my L&D ended up a lot more medicalized than I had hoped for but the midwives still made me feel supported, etc. I met most of the midwives during my pregnancy and would have been happy to have any of them be there for delivery. |
Anonymous
| I would NOT describe sibley birth experience as spa like-during the covid. |
Anonymous
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Just saying hi as I'm also in Mt Rainier and due in Jan!
I'm currently with Sibley, but did consider WHC for proximity. Mostly sticking with Sibley because a number of my friends delivered there with positive feedback and it's tied to the OB practice I've used for a while and like (CWC). I'll post to the Mt Rainier list-serve/FB eventually, but would love to create a text-chain or group for expectant moms in the area. |
Anonymous
I was just discharged from Sibley. It was a much better postpartum experience than my first with the GW midwives which was a total train wreck, but nothing at all about a postpartum experience is spa like. The idea itself is laughable. |
Anonymous
I had two unmedicated births (with a doula) at Sibley. I think your “experience” is going to be more dictated by how your body responds to labor. I didn’t need interventions and I didn’t get interventions. However, I’ve got a friend who went for a midwife-assisted birth at GW and ended up needing a c-section because that’s what was best for her and baby. |
Anonymous
Nobody who has done it would call pushing a baby out of your vagina as a "spa-like" experience. I am still laughing at the thought of it. OP, when the time comes, you are just going to want that baby out of your body. You won't care how it happens. Choose doctors/midwives that have offices convenient for all your appointments and a hospital that is convenient to your house. |