Some of these posters are making it sound like $45 isn't a big deal, but my last delivery (at Georgetown) had complications so I needed to stay 5 nts. I am scheduled to deliver at sibley this summer, & the possibility of 5 x $290 is pretty daunting. Uggghh

Holy Cross is in Silver Spring, right on the Beltway near Georgia Ave. I lived in Silver Spring so it was extremelyl convenient for us, but I would have traveled to get there over Sibley.

Anonymous wrote:Sibley also has a rooming in policy- meaning if you don't pay you will be stuck with someone else and their newborn. .

Unless it has changed in the last 6 months, this isn't true. Our baby slept in the nursery all five nights.

Stupid question but where is holy cross?

Both kids delivered at Holy Cross. Huge rooms with a bed/couch for spouse. No uncomfortable chair. Baby rooms in. Order your own food by phone. Loved it.

Sibley also has a rooming in policy- meaning if you don't pay you will be stuck with someone else and their newborn. And your husband can't sleep over. For 290 extra- you get a chair that folds out, btw. Nothing more.

I did just what OP is doing, to be fair I also wasn't super happy with my OB, the paying anything for a private room thing was the straw that broke the camels back. And I'm SOOOOOO glad I did. It was such an intense time for me and DH, I would not have wanted anyone else there.

Just so you know, OP, Gtown has private rooms, but they got rid of their nursery so you have to have the baby in the room with you at all times. No break at all even right after delivery.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That's one of the reasons I'm not delivering at Sibley, even though I live very close. I chose GW instead.

And yes, I think $45 can "push you over the edge" - it's not about the money per se, but principle. If all the hospitals in the area offer private rooms at no extra cost, why choose the one hospital that makes you pay extra? $290 is not an inconsequential amount of money for most people.

No one said $290 was inconsequential. But is $45 enough to have you change your OP practice during pregnancy?

As a PP said, if the original amount was already high for you, then those $45 could be the last straw. Plus, it's a matter of principle, and increasing their private room fee if private rooms are standard in other area hospitals just seems greedy. But the market will ultimately decide what they can get.

Well, taking OP at her word, she said "I was willing to pay $250." Didn't sound to me like she was under duress. But maybe you know better. Whatever.

Did I speak of duress? If she says she was willing to pay $250, it doesn't mean she was comfortable paying it. I was just explaining why I understand her feeling that $45 extra put her over the edge. No need to get snappy.

Holy Cross has all private rooms, plus 24-hour food delivery (and a level III NICU) and I had a wonderful experience there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That's one of the reasons I'm not delivering at Sibley, even though I live very close. I chose GW instead.

And yes, I think $45 can "push you over the edge" - it's not about the money per se, but principle. If all the hospitals in the area offer private rooms at no extra cost, why choose the one hospital that makes you pay extra? $290 is not an inconsequential amount of money for most people.

No one said $290 was inconsequential. But is $45 enough to have you change your OP practice during pregnancy?

As a PP said, if the original amount was already high for you, then those $45 could be the last straw. Plus, it's a matter of principle, and increasing their private room fee if private rooms are standard in other area hospitals just seems greedy. But the market will ultimately decide what they can get.

Well, taking OP at her word, she said "I was willing to pay $250." Didn't sound to me like she was under duress. But maybe you know better. Whatever.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That's one of the reasons I'm not delivering at Sibley, even though I live very close. I chose GW instead.

And yes, I think $45 can "push you over the edge" - it's not about the money per se, but principle. If all the hospitals in the area offer private rooms at no extra cost, why choose the one hospital that makes you pay extra? $290 is not an inconsequential amount of money for most people.

No one said $290 was inconsequential. But is $45 enough to have you change your OP practice during pregnancy?

As a PP said, if the original amount was already high for you, then those $45 could be the last straw. Plus, it's a matter of principle, and increasing their private room fee if private rooms are standard in other area hospitals just seems greedy. But the market will ultimately decide what they can get.

Anonymous wrote:Is there something better you get at a private room at Sibley that at a private room in the other hospitals? I'm really asking -- I'm just wondering how they can have such a policy when so many other DC hospitals don't have an extra fee.

No, just a private room instead of a double. Other hospitals have only private rooms, thus no fee.

Fair Oaks only has private rooms, and I just loved their OB staff!

Agree with the PP. I'd be mad that the fee was increasing. That's crazy. Plus, have you ever checked your EOBs from your health insurance company after you deliver? The hospital is getting paid PLENTY for you having your baby there. It's a profitable business. Why do you think hospitals are pushing their Maternity wings when the advertise?

OP, if you're close enough to another hospital, go for it. I delivered at VHC and it was fine. Not a great experience, but I had my baby and left. And, they were all private rooms.

Correct me if I am wrong but I think the point is that $290 was already a lot for the OP to consider paying and then to find out that Sibley is increasing that already high fee, was just way too much.