You can request no students. I delivered twice at GW and had a great experience each time. They always asked if they could bring in students and I said yes because students have to learn… but if you’re not comfortable you can tell them no ahead of time.

Just gave birth at GW in November. They have a nursery--although when I requested it for a couple of hours, the nursery nurse was in a c-section so it was not available. That said my postpartum nurse was happy to take my baby to the nurses station and have him in the bassinet with her while she did charting.

I specifically requested no students/baby doctors at my birth, have done this twice (also in 2020)

Birth #1: midwife, my nurse, and the NICU team (d/t my specific circumstances, and behind a screen near the door) were in the room

Birth #2: OB attending, OB resident, my nurse, a second nurse (I think for the baby?) were in the room

Anonymous wrote:Last I checked, GW does not have a nursery. Sibley has a nursery which I think is incredibly useful for mom’s recovery. I delivered all my children and Sibley and had wonderful experiences.

I delivered at GW in February 2023 and sent my baby to the nursery. So yes, GW DOES have a nursery.

I’ve delivered at both hospitals. GW will bring in a room full of people to watch you.
Then they’ll come check on you the next day as well. Choose Sibley.

Last I checked, GW does not have a nursery. Sibley has a nursery which I think is incredibly useful for mom’s recovery. I delivered all my children and Sibley and had wonderful experiences.

I believe you can decline having students at GW too. They’ve asked me during my appointments if it’s okay a student joins. I don’t consider it a zoo and generally think it’s my way of “helping” the next medical generation.

Yes, GW will be full of med students looking at you. Go to Sibley. It will be much better than covid times.

You sound like a person who would enjoy the Sibley experience better than the GW one.

Have had two babies at GW, one with OBs and one with midwives and was warned to expect medical students swarming everywhere, but did not find that to be an issue. I had a water birth for #2 and just had my spouse, midwife, a nurse and doula with me in a spacious, comfortable room.
#1 was with the OBs and that too was pretty quiet - they just left me to labor in peace and came back in for the last 10 mins of the action.
Postpartum rooms are small but if you're an experienced mom and the birth is uncomplicated, you can definitely tell them to leave you alone to get some rest.

GW will be a zoo of medical students, but I would be shocked if they missed anything important. For a fourth time mom I think that Sibley would be preferable.

I had a fantastic experience in Sibley a few months ago but I have nothing to compare it to. I didn’t try to labor in the shower so I can’t speak to that, but the care was excellent.

Anonymous wrote:Wow you’re already an expert! I’d probably stick to Sibley honestly…they typically leave you alone and especially if you don’t want any help or need anything.

+ 1. It will be better than Covid times.

You could definitely labor in a bath at GW. I remember before getting an epidural, they offered me so many things like the bath, yoga ball; if I wanted to try.

Wow you’re already an expert! I’d probably stick to Sibley honestly…they typically leave you alone and especially if you don’t want any help or need anything.

4th baby. Don’t need a lot of labor help, just people to stay out of my way. However, I prefer the expertise of an OB to a midwife in the event of the unexpected. Where would you deliver?

First 2 children born in NY. 3rd at Sibley during Covid times, but super unimpressed with the care. (Nurses acted annoyed when I asked for baby bottles; offered bunk advice eg. Don't take a bath after uncomplicated vaginal birth; and got impatient when I wanted to labor in the shower.) That said, is GW just going to be a zoo of baby medical students? The other thread about them missing important medical signs concerned me… Nicu not a major consideration. I usually go to 41w.

Advice?