Anonymous wrote:I was with the midwives when I developed high bp along with gd. They transferred me to Dr. Bathgate and I realy liked her competent, reassuring, no-nonsense attitude. When I was admitted at 33 weeks for severe pre-e, Dr. Larsen took over and I delivered at 34 weeks.

GW and Dr. Bathgate took very good care of me.

I was AMA but not otherwise high risk and Dr Bathgate was my primary ob. She’s very calm and I wouldn’t describe her as warm, but she’s compassionate (I also saw her for a later MC) and I really like her. Excellent care.

Dr Larsen was the physician on duty when I went into labor and it was a very negative experience. Thankfully, I believe he has since retired.

Dr. bathgate did my Amnio and was amazing. I also saw her a couple of times during my first pregnancy. I will
Have my third C-section there in a few months and I am very happy. I am not high risk (amnio was my decision), but I cannot imagine having anymore nurses visits post partum. It felt like they were inchecking my vitals every 10
Minutes. I opted to go home earlier both times because I was not able to sleep at all there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I had pregnancy risks there is nowhere I'd rather be than GW. The postpartum care is not the cushiest. But the OB, Delivery, NICU, etc. are absolutely top notch and trend toward an excellent balance of nonintervention and safety, informed by the latest science.

This. All the recent stuff that’s coming out about maternal mortality in the US has reinforced how good my medical care was there.

As long as you're not with the midwifes, I agree -- and only up to post-partum care. A lot can happen to the mother and baby post-partum, and GW is just very indifferent on that account. I developed pre-e during delivery, and while the delivery and the NICU were awesome (once the OBs made the midwives stop faffing around) I had to beg the post-partum nurses to check my BP and make sure it was OK. And of course they discharged my baby dehydrated and borderline jaundiced without telling me.

That said - if you're with the high-risk OBs and prepared to advocate for yourself and baby post-partum, it's likely as good as any place.

I’m sorry you had this experience. I also developed pre-e and had the opposite...I was actually really annoyed with the constant checks, though now that I understand the alternative I feel pretty grateful!

I was with the GW midwives last time when I was 39 other than GD, had an uncomplicated pregnancy until I developed pre-e at 38 weeks. I was comanaged by midwives/OB and had a good experience.

This time, I’m 43, had IVF and have GD. I’ve seen Dr. Homa Ahmadzia almost exclusively, and I’ve been very, very happy with her care. She’s proactive, understanding, and spends as much time as I need. I’m 32 weeks along, and we’ve already mapped out a plan from now through delivery (even though she may not end up being the one on call); I feel like I’m in excellent hands.

I am planning to have a doula, as we found it her a reassuring presence last time.

I had a nightmare delivery/recovery/emergency c-section with my first (due to HELLP) at Inova Fairfax. It came close to being catastrophic and I actually credit the L & D nurses for avoiding that outcome, but the overall experience was terrible.

Second at GW was night-and-day better. I used a normal OB w/ the comfort of Dr. Bathgate and the other MFMs being available in-practice if things started to go wrong... and they didn't. (Though I had a couple of consults with them and my OB coordinated my care with them/sought their recommendations on the few issues.)

Third and back with the same OB at GW. Feel very well cared for.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I had pregnancy risks there is nowhere I'd rather be than GW. The postpartum care is not the cushiest. But the OB, Delivery, NICU, etc. are absolutely top notch and trend toward an excellent balance of nonintervention and safety, informed by the latest science.

This. All the recent stuff that’s coming out about maternal mortality in the US has reinforced how good my medical care was there.

As long as you're not with the midwifes, I agree -- and only up to post-partum care. A lot can happen to the mother and baby post-partum, and GW is just very indifferent on that account. I developed pre-e during delivery, and while the delivery and the NICU were awesome (once the OBs made the midwives stop faffing around) I had to beg the post-partum nurses to check my BP and make sure it was OK. And of course they discharged my baby dehydrated and borderline jaundiced without telling me.

That said - if you're with the high-risk OBs and prepared to advocate for yourself and baby post-partum, it's likely as good as any place.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I had pregnancy risks there is nowhere I'd rather be than GW. The postpartum care is not the cushiest. But the OB, Delivery, NICU, etc. are absolutely top notch and trend toward an excellent balance of nonintervention and safety, informed by the latest science.

Delivered at GW a year ago and agree 110%. Dr. Macri was my high risk OB and was delivered by Dr. Keller. The L&D nurses were beyond amazing. PP is spot on that their post-delivery recovery ward leaves some to be desired. I'd deliver there again in a heartbeat.

+100. My high risk labor was taken VERY seriously by the nurses and doctors, but they still gave me the agency in my birth that I desperately wanted. I didn't get the hippy unmedicated situation I was hoping for, but I know that every choice was made respecting my wishes and weighing risks realistically.

Also Bathgate is great!

+100 to all of the above!

Anonymous wrote:If I had pregnancy risks there is nowhere I'd rather be than GW. The postpartum care is not the cushiest. But the OB, Delivery, NICU, etc. are absolutely top notch and trend toward an excellent balance of nonintervention and safety, informed by the latest science.

This. All the recent stuff that’s coming out about maternal mortality in the US has reinforced how good my medical care was there.

Dr. Bathgate that is!!

She's the best. Delivered all 3 of my sons (C sections) & has been fabulous in every way. I've referred many friends to her over the years & all of them have had great experiences with her as well. Could not recommend her more highly.

I saw dr Larsen for both of my pregnancies. I had an iC for th last one and was on hospital bedrest. Dr Macri and Bathfate were put on the case. Dr Larsen visited every day and they all rock. They got me to 34 weeks. I loved all three of them. You can't find better care!

I LOVED Macri for my high-risk pregnancy. He was just phenomenal. I saw him for all my prenatal appointments and he delivered me (he promised me he would and he changed his schedule around to be there when I went early). Could not recommend anyone more highly.

Anonymous wrote:At GW, if you are high-risk and need a c-section or other invasive procedure, is it performed by the OB or by a resident?

An OB and some residents did my (scheduled) GW c-section. I couldn't tell you who did the actual cutting

They are awesome. The nurses there are truly amazing and pros. Bathgate, Macri are awesome. Larsen doesn't deliver anymore, but saw him through all three of my HR old lady pregnancies - he was attentive and on top of the risks - with a lot of no nonsense responses to "I read about xxxx"
love all of my very low intervention (induction, but not much more) births there.
After you give birth, it ain't a hotel and the post partum nurses are pretty blah..

Also saw Bathgate with my first pregnancy. Calm, competent and no-nonsense. It was a welcome change after all the stress the midwives put me through in the process of risking me out for some wonky bp readings.