Anonymous wrote:there's definitely "hype" around Sibley. It has a (very undeserved, imo) reputation of being the "best" hospital to deliver at. Some call it "Club Sib" for it's reputation of being very cushy and full of well-heeled women. My friends and co-workers, particularly those West-of-the-Park/Ward 3 residents, are shocked I'd deliver anywhere else. Some of them definitely have a negative attitude towards delivering anywhere but Sibley.

This exactly. It is like Sidwell for hospitals.

Georgetown and GW both are connected with medical schools, and I wonder if independent practictioners can't deliver there because those hospitals only want their faculty practicing there. I'm just guessing.

But if that has something to do with it, that would basically leave WHC (which does huge business, though it's not talked about much here other than in relation to the midwife practice because I guess it's too "ghetto,") and Sibley, and...what other non-medical school hospitals do we have in DC? I'm blanking. (Howard University also has a medical school)

Does anyone know if drs get more money for Going to sibley and therefore bringing more business to Sibley. It just doesn't add up that so many drs prefer to deliver at this small, nicu lacking location when we have GW and Gtown in the same area.Sib wouldn't stay in business with L and D quite frankly otherwise.

I delivered at GW and was very happy with it. I would have a baby at Sibley b/c of not being guaranteed a private room (not to mention being charged for it), and because they don't have a real NICU. Unfortunately my son ended up having to stay in the NICU for a few weeks, and I can't imagine how awful it would have been if he'd had to be transferred to another hospital while I was still stuck at Sibley.

I live close to Sibley, but I won't deliver there because of their lack of higher level NICU and the private room cost. Either of those issues alone would be a deal breaker for me.

Huh. I guess I'm just going by comments here, which have been unrelentingly negative on Sibley and far more positive towards, say, Georgetown.

I live in the less-well-heeled part of town and have lower middle class friends (like myself) so I guess I don't hear about how Sibley is supposed to be so great.

there's definitely "hype" around Sibley. It has a (very undeserved, imo) reputation of being the "best" hospital to deliver at. Some call it "Club Sib" for it's reputation of being very cushy and full of well-heeled women. My friends and co-workers, particularly those West-of-the-Park/Ward 3 residents, are shocked I'd deliver anywhere else. Some of them definitely have a negative attitude towards delivering anywhere but Sibley.

Can someone tell me why so many women choose Sibley anyhow? Is it just because their drs prefer that?

I don't think there's any hype; I think it's simply that people deliver where their doctors have privileges, and several well-regarded OBs deliver at Sibley. Not much more complicated than that.

Can someone tell me why so many women choose Sibley anyhow? Is it just because their drs prefer that? I am not sure how much choice I have but it seems that if you are choosing in DC why not just go to GW or Gtown with better NICU and private rooms that don't cost extra. I have visited friends at Sibley after giving birth and nothing about the place seemed all that special. (and I say this as someone who will probably have to deliver there because of my dr). I just don't get all the hype.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH and I went on the maternity tour at Sibley yesterday and learned that as of July 1st the private room fee will be going up to $290 a night! I was willing to pay $245 but this recent jump has pushed me over the edge. I'll be looking for a new OB / Hospital tomorrow. 

This is quite reasonable, what are you complaining about?

What? I don't pay $290/night for a fancy hotel room!

Yoialso are having any medical treatment in a hotel.

Anonymous wrote:

Also, don't forget the stupid $5 or $10 a day (i forget which) they tack on for the TV. Like that couldn't be included in the $290?!?!

Wow, really? What if you don't watch the TV?

pretty sure if you don't watch, you don't pay. again, not the $5 matters but come on, i felt like they were givign me the middle finger!

Also, don't forget the stupid $5 or $10 a day (i forget which) they tack on for the TV. Like that couldn't be included in the $290?!?!

Wow, really? What if you don't watch the TV?

to 16:56, yes, there is! i delivered at Sibley last May and requested a private room and didn't get it right away. i was in a shared room from 3am until about 2:00pm and that was enough to drive me bonkers. what was even more annoying is that because they moved me, I still had to pay for my 2 days in the private room. Also, don't forget the stupid $5 or $10 a day (i forget which) they tack on for the TV. Like that couldn't be included in the $290?!?!

Is there a chance that I request a private room and not get one?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH and I went on the maternity tour at Sibley yesterday and learned that as of July 1st the private room fee will be going up to $290 a night! I was willing to pay $245 but this recent jump has pushed me over the edge. I'll be looking for a new OB / Hospital tomorrow. 

This is quite reasonable, what are you complaining about?

What? I don't pay $290/night for a fancy hotel room!