Anonymous wrote:I know nothing about HC but I had my two boys at Shady Grove with Dr. Gurdian's office (who is part of Capital's Women Group). I really like how they run their office -seems very efficient, no long waits, good doctors and staff. But, they have a pretty strict no kids at appointments policy (unless you have another adult with you to watch the child in waiting room) - so if you're a SAHM, they may not be the best choice.

Hmm. Just to update this very old thread, I went there in 2013 and at my postpartum checkup Dr. Lesch (now apparently gone) told me I should bring my baby next time--they loved to see babies. That said I also have read on Yelp that people have had bad experiences bringing kids.

I had a great experience at Holy Cross. Mind you, this was 8 years ago. Many of the women I know in Silver Spring delivered at HC and didn't mention any complaints. I use Capital Women's Care in Silver Spring and really like the practice. I haven't heard anything bad about HC. They were competent and caring. And I'm sure the actual practice you choose will have a lot do with your hospital experience.

Shady Grove is head and shoulders better than Holy Cross when it comes to labor and delivery. Holy Cross is terrible. Capital Women's is an excellent practice (the group 22:32 references). The doctors are all great and are supportive of your birth choices. I just VBAC'd with them and nobody gave me anything but positive encouragement. The wait times can be a bit daunting if you get a midday appointment but if you try to go first thing in the morning there's never a problem.

I know nothing about HC but I had my two boys at Shady Grove with Dr. Gurdian's office (who is part of Capital's Women Group). I really like how they run their office -seems very efficient, no long waits, good doctors and staff. But, they have a pretty strict no kids at appointments policy (unless you have another adult with you to watch the child in waiting room) - so if you're a SAHM, they may not be the best choice.

I delivered my first two at Shady Grove and in between babies they completely redid the maternity wing. It is great now, all private rooms with an emphasis on rooming in with the baby, and in-room care (they only took the baby once for the hearing test, I think, since they don't have the equipment for that in the room). The nurses were great, they had great lactation support while in the hospital (daily in the lounge down the hall), as well as a weekly breastfeeding support meeting they offer after you are discharged with LCs.

I delivered with the midwife group for #2, and am with Capital Women's Care for my third pregnancy now. I like the practice, it's on Medical Center drive and prefer Dr. King, Dr. Alum (just saw her recently) and I used to love Dr. Apgar but haven't seen her much this pregnancy. I think the level of intervention really depends on which OB you have and what you want and how things progress.

I have no knowledge on Holy Cross, so I can't help with a comparison.

Good luck!

Yes, I'm all about low-medical intervention (with NICU around, just in case). I wanted to go as natural as long as possible with #1 and HCG was very receptive to it and encouraging of it. I did get an epi around 7 cm, but am considering all-natural for #2. However, #1 did have meconium aspiration, so having NICU around was hugely important and beneficial...
Thanks for your insight! I appreciate it.

Do you have a strong preference about unmedicated / low-intervention birth? SG has a reputation for being friendlier to that, in part because there's a big midwife practice delivering there (Midwifery Care Associates), so the nurses are used to seeing women who want to walk around, not get an epi, etc.
On a different aspect, SG has a higher-level NICU.
I delivered at SG and had a good experience, but I can't provide any direct comparison.

We have recently moved to Rockville and I am trying to figure out which OBGyn Practice to start at. I have an 8-month old son and need to make my routine yearly appt.

I've heard Capital Women's Group is good, but which one?
Any recs? One serves births at Holy Cross and one at Shady Grove Adventist.
I'm fine with either hospital, but don't know much other than Holy Cross is the "baby factory."
ANY thoughts/opinions/reviews are greatly appreciated.

If it helps, I was previously at Esposito, Mayer, Hogan and Associates in Columbia, MD (Howard County General) and loved them and my birth experience with my son.