I delivered at Sibley twice, both times I was very happy with the staff and level of care. The only time an epidural was discussed was when I was first admitted, but both deliveries ended up being unmedicated and the staff were very supportive.

I haven't delivered anywhere else so hard for me to compare, but I'd recommend Sibley!

I had one at Sibley and one at VHC and I had great experiences both times. I hated the doctor at Sibley, but she actually did a great job (my OB had left already bc my labor was 19 hours) when I reflected back. Mainly: stitched up my horrific tearing really well and I have no long term issues. So though I thought she was a real B, she did the important part well.

Anonymous wrote:Just to note - if you are not high-risk and care at all about having a more/less medicalized birth, you should know that Sibley leans toward the more and GW leans toward the less.

I was at Sibley and received no pressure to get an epidural. Actually my L&D nurse assumed I did not want one because I had hired a doula (she wasn't there yet - things moved fast), and did not take me seriously when I asked for one until I vomited from the pain. Then the epidural did not work.

But apart from that Sibley was great! The rooms are beautiful and the postpartum nurses were awesome.

Go with Sibley, hands down

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Definitely stay away from GW if you don't want an urban teaching hospital atmosphere!

+1
I delivered there with the OBs, not the midwives, in March. I hated the teaching hospital aspect far more than I expected. Highly recommend you avoid.

+2 all of this, except January. The teaching aspect was borderline traumatic for me, actually (resident messed up my epidural and then the attending tried 4 times to fix it -- not great when "needle in my spine" was my biggest fear coming in), and made my follow-up appointments with students/residents observing really uncomfortable. I didn't mind the midwives-in-training during prenatal care, but now it makes me really on edge to have them in the room. I'm pretty much done forever having someone use me as a practice run.

That said, I had really good nurses in L&D, and found the rooms really comfortable both for delivery and recovery. But if we have another kid I'm probably going to go to Sibley if there's no reason to suspect complications.

Just to note - if you are not high-risk and care at all about having a more/less medicalized birth, you should know that Sibley leans toward the more and GW leans toward the less.

Not GW then. And if you want midwives go for the ones at WHC. Far better option.

There is a recent thread about Sibley being "plush," that has negative stories about GW, including mine. If I ever have another, I'm going to Sibleu.

Do you have any recommendations for OB/GYNs that you used and loved?

Anonymous wrote:Definitely stay away from GW if you don't want an urban teaching hospital atmosphere!

+1
I delivered there with the OBs, not the midwives, in March. I hated the teaching hospital aspect far more than I expected. Highly recommend you avoid.

I am at capital woman's care (VHC) and have used them for 3 pregnancies. No complaints at all. The MFM unit at VHC is also wonderful.

Giving birth at VHC was actually pretty pleasant for me. (I mean minus the pain of labor and all)

I delivered at Sibley in March. They are not a teaching hospital and have a beautiful new maternity ward. It did not feel frantic at all, and I chose it over Holy Cross specifically for the calmer atmosphere.

Definitely stay away from GW if you don't want an urban teaching hospital atmosphere!

I've heard nothing but awesome things about Bloom--I really wanted to transfer my care to them but they aren't taking new October deliveries. If you think that might be the practice you want my advice would be to get on their list ASAP.

The GW midwives are strong believers in unmedicated childbirth and want patients who feel the same way (they're very candid about this), so if you're planning on an epidural that's probably not the practice for you. I do think if you're looking for a hospital that doesn't feel like a large urban teaching hospital, GW may not be for you. I had a procedure there last year and "frantic urban teaching hospital" fit my experience to a T.

I'm wondering if anyone could share recent experiences delivering at these hospitals: Sibley, GW & Virginia Hospital Center. I am considering the GW midwifery practice and Bloom OB/GYN which has privileges at Sibley. Also open to good practices affiliated with VHC. I am a breast cancer survivor who underwent treatment at Georgetown and although I loved my doctor there, the frantic feel and urban teaching hospital atmosphere took a toll so hoping to explore different options for pregnancy.