Help - How do you select a good OB and hospital?

[dueinmay]

Hi ladies!

We just moved to the D.C. area (from California) and I need to find a new OB. Where to begin? (Other than my insurance company's directory!) Previously we were under military insurance, so "selection" wasn't an issue! I want to make a good choice. How did all of you go about selecting your doctor (if you didn't have friends/family recommendations)? How about evaluating hospitals? I'd appreciate your advice.

And of course, if anyone out there knows the DC area and has personal experience, I'd love to hear about it!!

Many thanks!!

#1 due 5-13-03 :)

[egoldber]

Hi! We did the same thing in summer 2001! We moved from San Jose, CA to Fairfax, VA. Where are you in DC area? There are many moms on here from VA and MD, so let us know where you are and I'm sure some folks could help out!

I personally think that word of mouth is the best way to pick an OB and a hospital. It also depends on what you are looking for. Do you want something really small and personal, like a birthing center and a midwife, or do you prefer a more traditional hospital delivery?

Let us know!

[megsmom]

I'm from the DC area too (Northern VA also) and found my current OB practice via word of mouth from friends. I was very pleased with my experience. If you are working, I would ask women at your job as a good starting place. Oftentimes if you chose a particular practice, the doctors only deliver at a certain hospitals.

Other things to consider in addition to the points mentioned above:

1. Do you prefer a male/female provider or don't mind?
2. Do you want a small practice or a larger group practice?
3. Do you have strong preference who delivers your baby? In many practices, they share call with another practice and you may end up having another doctor that you don't even know deliver your baby. This actually happened to me, and it didn't bother me a bit since I had met him before on one of my trips to the triage unit. Some people really have strong feelings about this, though.

Jen
mom to Meghan
born 7/13/01

[KathyO]

I was in a similar situation once - far from home and needed a gynecologist to treat a Bartholin's cyst. The first one I found was a disaster. So I went in to the local health unit and asked the sexual health nurse for a recommendation. In theory she wasn't supposed to, but I flung myself on her mercy.

She rolled up her eyes, and said offhandedly, "You know, I'm really not supposed to make recommendations, so it would be quite unprofessional of me to tell you about how many people like Dr. (name deleted)..."

The nurses frequently have tons of inside poop. If you can make contact with any, they can give you some good leads. If there are any birth control clinics in your area, they should also have a good grasp of who's any good in the Ob/Gyn department. They're not really supposed to name names, but make puppy eyes, play the "pregnant and far from home" card and promise not to tell anyone...

Good luck,

KathyO

[dueinmay]

Thank you all for your replies! You have raised some great points. I think because this is my first baby, I want to go with an OB and hospital rather than midwife and birthing center. I don't really have a preference for male vs. female doctor, and while it would be nice to have the same dr. deliver, I think I'd be okay with another dr on call if I had met them and we communicated well.

As for word of mouth referrals, I agree that is the best kind of info to have. Unfortunately since we are so new (been here about 10 days), and I am not working, I don't have much of a network! Perhaps I can ask my husband to ask around at his office, though. I have talked to the nurses on the RN phoneline for one of the hospital practices I could go with (Georgetown - MedStar) but I'd like more opinions.

Definitely, if anyone has recommendations (or warnings) about OBs or hospitals in the area, let me know!!!! Right now we are living in Arlington (Ballston), renting while looking for a place to buy. Hope to be moving at least a month before the baby is due, probably to the Bethesda area (another complication in selecting a doctor?).

Thanks again so much for your help! :)


Rebecca
#1 due 5-13-03
Rebecca
#1 due 5-13-03

[mspacman]

Why can't nurses or medical people tell people about good doctors? If I was going to ask around, it makes more sense to ask a nurse than a waiter or hairdresser :)

I went through a string of lousy doctors for years. Then one day my back went out, and my husband took me to the ER. While there I asked a nurse "By the way, can you recommend a good doctor?" and she gave me the name of one who worked at the hospital. He turned out to be superb and my husband and I have been patients of his for more than 10 years.

[cara1]

One other thought about picking a hospital...Make sure it has a reputable NICU and peds service. You never want or expect to need these services, but the last thing you want to have to deal with after having a baby is inadequate NICU services, or having to ship off baby to another hospital that has a NICU. I think most of us pick our OBs after much thought, and the OB services in the hospital, but don't forget the pediatric end of things.

[egoldber]

Alas, I am unfamiliar with the Bethesda area. Hopefully one of our Maryland folks will be able to help out.

FYI, I delivered at Inova Fairfax Hospital and was perfectly happy with my experience there. I was very happy with my OB/GYN practice, but they are also in the Fairfax/Falls Church area. You will probably want a practice that will deliver at a hospital near where you will be living. Although I do know some folks who went quite a way to deliver at a particular hospital that appealed to them for a particular reason.

And I do agree about being more comfortable delivering at a place with a NICU. Although, it is kind of ironic, because Sarah never spent more than an hour in the nursery, since we roomed in the whole time! (Although they still charged for 4 nursery days.)

[twins r fun]

I live in MD, but can't help you with Bethesda. Sorry! If you end up in or near Howard County (maybe about 40 miles from Bethesda), they just opened a brand new Labor and Delivery Ward and a brand new NICU. Both were opened about 4 months ago and are state of the art. Nurses in L&D and NICU are great and I could reccommend a superb OB in solo practice who got me and my twins through a pretty eventful pregnancy! They're also affiliated with Johns Hopkins so you can get all kinds of specialists if you need them. I know this probably won't help you, but just in case you do end up near enough, it's a great place.

Nicole

[SASM]

I just recently moved away from Columbia, in Howard County. I went to a good OB office that was fairly large: ~8 doctors and 4 midwives. The doctors were great but I had several bad experiences with one of the midwives when I had my miscarriage last year (the other three were great though). The practice is Drs. Esposito, Mayer, Hogan, and Assoc. The practice has a lot to offer - my current OB does not even come close. I have also *heard* of a great OB in the same area - DR. Marc Chaiken. Unfortunately, I heard about him a few weeks before I relocated out of state. I also know of a good OB practice north of Baltimore. You are in a great area for OB!! Take advantage of what is around you. Hope this helps. Good luck with the OB and home search. :-) I really miss DC!! :-(

Sharyn
EDD #1 01.21.03

[twins r fun]

What a small world! I started my pregnancy with Esposito, Mayer, Hogan, etc but had a really horrible experience with them. They were just way too big for me. Anyway, after several mixups and what I felt was a general lack of interest in and knowledge of me as a patient, they sent me running by not being at all concerned that Fifths Disease was tearing through the kindergarten class I was teaching. They told me (through a nurse since I could not get a doctor to even talk to me)there was ONLY a 10% chance I would miscarry if I got it.

After that I went through my insurance book looking for a solo practitioner. Guess who I found-Dr. Marc Chaiken! He and his staff are excellent. He took all kinds of precautions once I started having problems and I truly believe that I would have lost my babies when I went into preterm labor at 22 weeks if not for him. He was so cautious and on top of everything and was really patient with all my questions and freak outs. And his staff-all I had to do was call and say I wasn't feeling quite right and they'd get me an appointment within the hour. Sorry to go on, but I really love the guy! I'd reccomend him to anyone who's in the area.

Nicole

[Rachels]

I would suggest being sure to talk to the doctors in your practice about things like epidural, episiotomy, and cesarean rates. The World Health Organization recently released recommendations for safe care in normal birth, and it's astonishing how many doctors VASTLY exceed their recommended percentages of interventions. Technology is important, but we misuse it in the US too often, and as a result, there are 22 countries in the world with better birth outcomes than we have. So I would check to be sure that those kinds of interventions aren't routine in your doctor's practice, for both your safety and the baby's. A doctor who uses those technologies when they're necessary (as opposed to routinely) is a better bet, safety-wise, regardless of what kind of birth you choose to have.

-Rachel
Mom to Abigail Rose
5/18/02

[mama2be]

"Due in May" (sorry don't know your name)...

I worked for Inova health systems for many years and if you deliver there (Fairfax or Alex) email me directly and I will help you find who the nurses and staff say they would go to. If you are in the Bethesda area I think Suburban (excellent reputation), G-Town...or even Sibley (look at them!!! private great rep) might be your best bet.

If you would consider a "birthing center" (which I am doing here in Raleigh/Chapel HIll) there is one in Bethesda Maryland...I always thought I'd deliver there but we moved here.

I had an excellent doctor in DC (for the short period of time that I lived there in the District) named Ceaser Santangilo...I didn't need him for much BUT really liked him personally. I think he delivered out of Columbia Hospital for Women which has since closed.

IF you email me directly once you have narrowed your hospital choice down I would be more the willing to make calls and find out who folks recommend.

I also would feel comfortable calling an L&D dept directly and asking them who they would go to...say you are an RN and just moved to the area (thus they'll five you more attention possibly). YOu MIGHT get someone who is of no help but if you call back you might get someone who is very willing.

[email protected]

[natividad]

Alas, we are neighbors! I have been living in the Ballston area of Arlington for 3 1/2 years now and love it!

Anyway, the only thing that I can add to the tips you have gotten is to definitely tell your husband to ask for recommendations at his job.

When we moved to this area, I immediately began to ask friends about their doctors - unlike you, we did have some friends in the area and I ultimately chose an OB/GYN based on a friend's recommendation.

In terms of hospitals, my practice uses both Georgetown University Hospital as well as Sibley Memorial Hospital. They reserve GU for more high risk pregnancies from what I hear. I will deliver at Sibley and so far, I have only heard wonderful opinions from my friends who have delivered there.

Among some friends of mine, Dr. Sharon Malone is extremely popular. I also recommmend Dr. Sandi DiPaolo. She is centrally located on Fairfax Drive near the Georgetown - MedStar building.

If all else fails, one sourse of information on doctors in the DC area is the Washingtonian Magazine. I KNOW this is NOT how one should go about selecting a doctor, but for what it is worth, the magazine puts together every other year a list of "top" doctors broken down by specialties. The issue is aptly titled "Top Doctors" and the latest list came out in November 2002. Their website is below. Good luck!!!

www.washingtonian.com

Naty (March 03)

[nitaghei]

Hi!
I'm in College Park in Md - and will be going to Holy Cross in Silver Spring - which is fairly close to Bethesda. Will let you know how it goes.
I have friend who has delivered twice at Shady Grove Adventist in Rockville /Gaithersburg (?) - Montogomery county, anyway, and she is planning to return there for her third.
Another friend was happy with Georgetown. But keep in mind that it is a teaching hospital - and there may be med students around (this is enough to rule out Georgetown for me, especially since I don't seem to have any serious risk factors right now).

Evidently, the two big ones in Montogomery County are Holy Cross and Shady Grove Adventist. HC does do free 1 hour tours. They do provide an option to room in. We are going on the tour this week, and I will be happy to provide an update.

Nita
expecting our first 01/14/03

[dueinmay]

Hi neighbor! (I really like Ballston so far, too, though we've only been here a couple of weeks!)

Thanks so much for your suggestions! One of the doctors you mentioned (DiPaolo) is actually with my insurance policy, and I will definitely look into her.

I wonder if Inova Fairfax Hospital would be too far away from Bethesda, if we end up there this spring. (Guess it depends on traffic!) Maybe I am too worried about getting to the hospital on time. Was that a factor in your choice of hospital? I bet usually it is not a problem to drive 30 minutes or so -- but since I have no "experience" with this yet, it is something I worry about. (What if I go into labor during Beltway rush hour -- and my husband's not back from work? Eeek. I probably shouldn't be having nightmares about this until my due date is at least a little closer . . .)

We toured Georgetown last night. I thought it was very nice - though I have no other points of reference right now! They have private labor-delivery rooms (with attached room for baby w/ infant warmer, if needed), private postpartum rooms with cot for husband to sleep over, Level III NICU (what exactly is Level III? Nurse said it was the highest level - ?). Moreover, their policies were what I think I would like: husband can be present at all times (even during C-section, if needed), baby and husband room in, you are able to walk, squat, use jacuzzi in room to aid delivery. No "standard procedures" automatically done (e.g., episiotomy, epidural), except IV placement.

We are going to tour Sibley this Wednesday! Anything else I should be looking at?

Rebecca
#1 due 5-13-03

[dueinmay]

Hi Rachel,

Thank you for bringing those statistics to my attention. It is amazing! I certainly will make it a point to find out this info from potential doctors. Great advice, thanks!!

A thought - many of the practices I am looking at consist of several doctors (5 or 6), and while you see one primarily during prenatal visits, any one of them may deliver you (whichever is on call that day/night). I didn't see this as much of a problem, but now it occurs to me that maybe some of the drs in the practice have different philosophies or "routine procedures" than the one I carefully select and get to know. Hmmm.

Rebecca
#1 due 5-13-03

[Caroline99]

If the practice has 5 or 6 doctors, they will cycle you through the other doctors as you get closer to your due date. So maybe you see your doctor monthly through 6 visits and then see the other doctors in the practice every other time you go. At least, my doctor's practice (3 OBs) does this.

HTH
Caroline

[dueinmay]

Hi Neve!

Wow, how incredibly kind of you!! I would love to take you up on the offer to call my hospitals and see if you can get any good inside info. That would be super! Well, I think Georgetown is definitely a possibility (we toured it last night, seemed really nice). I did call their "physician referral line," and I got the name of a doctor who is supposed to be quite good (Michael Moxley), and has an office in Ballston at Georgetown-MedStar. I don't know if this was really an honest recommendation, though, or just a 'referral.' (What could they say? "Oh, I can't really recommend any of those doctors." !!)

This Wednesday we are going to look at Sibley. I didn't know Suburban did deliveries. Maybe there just aren't any doctors affiliated there on my insurance listing. :( I'm interest, so I'll have to check on that.

Again, MANY thanks!!!! :)

Rebecca
#1 due 5-13-03

[dueinmay]

Hi Nita!

Great, you will be a first-hand expert on Holy Cross after January! :) I will be eager to hear what you think. I'll also be sure to get in for a tour there soon. (I looked at their website and it seems like a great place.) Do let me know what you think after your tour!

I wish it were as easy to get info on doctors - an informative website, a free tour of the office . . . It would be great! :) Why does such an important decision have to be based on such elusive data?!


Rebecca
#1 due 5-13-03

[twins r fun]

Level III NICU is good. Level IV is actually the highest, but you would only need that kind of care with big medical problems such as major operations (like transplants, etc.) A level III NICU can take care of almost anything else.

Nicole

[dueinmay]

Wow, wish I lived close enough to go to your doctor! He sounds incredible! Does he have a friend who practices down here? :)

Rebecca
#1 due 5-13-03

[JMarie]

I am with a private practice of four doctors and I have seen each at least once for my monthly appointments. During each 'first meeting' that doctor would sit with me and DH and discuss his/her philosophy and ask about my birthing expectations. I think what makes it nice is that the doctors in my practice all seem to think very much the same and are extremely supportive of my wishes. It was important for me to find OB's with low C-section, episiotomy, and epidural rates, and mine have the lowest at the hospital where I'm delivering. I agree with Neve - call a hospital, tell them you're interested in a doctor, tell them what you're looking for in an OB, and you should get great results. Good luck!

JMarie
EDD 2/23/03
Aidan Christopher

[mama2be]

I will call Georgetown I have a connection in the nursing office there (if she is still there) and see if she can help me pin point a good doctor. IF you don't hear back from me today then I haven't gotten her BUT will get back with you hopefully tomorrow. I might be wrong but I think referral lines are just that a rotating line and some are actually paid by doctors. But they can probably atleast narrow a search if you wanted a women vs a man etc...

Suburban might not do deliveries, I honestly have never been there but when I worked for a nursing agency in recruiting nurses they were always up there with the highest of standards :)I know they are considered posh as is Sibley...:)Keep me posted on how you like Sibley after you tour it.

Is Ceasar Snatangilo (sp????) in any of your books, I suspect that he might at G-Town now since Columbia closed, or Sibley. Again I only needed routine gyn care under him but liked him a lot. I also think he had an office by himself right outside of G-town a gorgoeus office in a town home setting.

[Rachels]

Yep, it's tricky. I agree that cycling through and meeting all the doctors is important. If you decide you'd like to avoid interventions as much as possible, hiring a doula has been shown in multiple studies to dramatically reduce intervention rates, no matter who your doctor is. Interventions are also statistically much lower with midwives, so you might see if the hospital you choose has a midwifery practice as well. Let me know if you have questions about any of this! HTH!

-Rachel
Mom to Abigail Rose
5/18/02

[dueinmay]

Hi again, Neve!

I'll be so happy to hear if you can find anything out from your connection at Georgetown (bound to be more successful than my attempt!). Now, this may be hoping for too much, but I would love it if there was a great doctor who had an office outside campus - something I could get to by metro, since driving in DC is something I dread! :) Of course, for the right doctor, it would be well worth the angst of getting behind the wheel in a new city!

I did check my insurance list (I'm with MD-IPA) for Dr. Santaglio (or anything spelled remotely similarly), but no luck. That's really a shame - he sounds great.

Once again, thank you so much for all this help!

Rebecca
#1 due 5-13-03

[mama2be]

I got an answering machine when I called the nursing office there (the gal who I knew worked there) BUT did manage to get to L&D. The gal who answered the phone was hesitant about referring soemone but when I pleaded she gave me the name of a Dr West (First initial T). She said that there is an OB Clinic and it kind of sounded like you rotate thru those folks. The number she gave me there was 202-687-8531. I asked if this Dr West was a resident or an "in practice Dr" and she assured me she was "in practice". She added she went to church with this Doctor so wish I had another referral besides just that endorsement of her. Let me keep snooping and I'll see what else I can come with....:)

I know someone else posted this, but keep in mind with these big teaching hospitals you might have residents providing the majority of your care. Not there is a problem with that, but wanted to reiterate that. Also regarding driving G-Town is not in the middle of the city and is not a bad drive, nor is Sibley. Of course I am thinking of the drive over Key Bridge from Virginia...but once over that bridge you go left and are pretty much in residental area from that point on.

[COElizabeth]

I saw Dr. Richard Beckerman (202-244-3523) when I lived in DC. I haven't seen him in about 7 years, so I don't know any details about whether he is curently accepting new patients, etc., but his office was near Georgetown, and I believe he may have privileges at Georgetown. I didn't see him during a pregnancy, but I found him very compassionate and nice, and he was very highly recommended to me by a colleague who had just had a baby. This woman had a Ph.D. in biochemistry and was quite particular about her doctors, so I trusted her judgment and was happy with him. Good luck with the search!

Elizabeth
Mom to James
9-20-02

[egoldber]

The practice I saw in Fairfax was 5 women OBs. You cycled through each of them because whoever was on call delivered your baby, not "your" doctor. This was also nice because one of them is ALWAYS at the hospital, so you never had to wait around for your doctor to show up at the hospital. When I met them pre-delivery, I liked them all except one. And wouldn't you know.... Yep, I went to deliver and there she was.

BUT in the hospital she was VERY different. In the office, she had been cold and a little brusque. In the hospital, she was very warm and caring. So you can't always tell with office manner.

Personally, I much prefered this method, than seeing a solo practice OB and then potentially ending up with a complete stranger at your delivery. I know too many people who end up inducing to avoid a particular doctor or to make sure they get "their" doctor.

Also, another doctor you should start shopping for is your ped. You need to do this before you deliver, since they will see your baby in the hospital. Most people "interview" two or three peds to find one they like.

HTH,

[dueinmay]

Thanks for writing. Great story! (Very interesting that the cold OB ended up being so good during delivery, too.)

Ah, pediatricians! Yes, I certainly will want to start researching that as well. Anybody with advice on that . . .

Rebecca
#1 due 5-13-03

[dueinmay]

Hi Elizabeth,

Thank you for writing! Unfortunately I couldn't find Dr. Beckman on Georgetown's website or my insurance provider list. :( It's too bad, since he sure sounds great.

Rebecca
#1 due 5-13-03

[blnony]

I can't give any advice on OB's in your area, but when DH and I relocated to NC I had to find an OB too. What I did was start with my insurance provider book, made a list of candidates from the type of practice I was interested in (I wanted a larger practice) and called and set up consultation visits with a few. If you explain that you are expecting and looking for a doctor, you can usually get in pretty quick. After talking with about 4 different doctors in different practices, I found one I really liked that had offices in the hospital that I liked. It took a couple of weeks, but we've been very happy with our choice, and this is after a complicated pregnancy and delivery.
On the consultations, the practice usually had a little info packet about their practice and I asked questions about their c-section rate, epidural rate, episiotomy rate etc. All were very open about answering my questions. Also, ask about how their on call works. I didn't know to ask this, but I wish I had.
Good luck. I know relocating during this time is hard. It adds so much stress.

[emmiem]

I am the wife of an OB-Gyn so maybe I can help. Most doctors in a multiple doctor practice share the OB patients. That means you see all the doctors during the nine months and you are delivered by whoever is on call. If the practice is very large in terms of numbers of doctors, you might not even know the one that finally delivers your baby. You can ask for C-section and episiotomy rates, but every delivery is different. Don't go by numbers but by philosophy of the doctor when to do the procedures. When you become a GYN patient again, then you can see one doctor every year. If you go to a smaller practice, maybe one or two doctors, then you might have to wait for your appointments a little longer if they are on call and delivering someone else. Deliveries don't only occur at night! However, you will have a stronger relationship with the doctor because you see them more often. The office staff is important too. A good nurse can answer jmay routine questions. Hope this helps.

[mama2be]

I don't know if you saw my post (I think number 26) but don't just count on your "list"...sometimes the "Grand po bah" of the practice is the only name on the insurance list I would actually call the office or my insurance or go to the phone book. Becaseu I know Ceasar Santangilo was not on your list either but find it hard to to believe he is not still practicing up there...So this Dr Beckerman could very well be there to. these list are not always accurate. My previous post had a number that the L&D gal gave at G-Town...they might beable to tell if there either of these docs are on staff, then call the office and they can probably tell if your insurance is accepted. Even if they say yes call your insurance to make sure.

I wonder if Dr beckerman is married to an Ob-gyn???There was a female Dr, Dr Beckerman out of Alexandria hospital when I lived up there who ws evidently fantastic!!!! I did not know her, but always heard great things about her :)

[dueinmay]

Hi! Thanks for the advice. I checked into it: no Dr. West with my insurance, unfortunately. No Dr. Beckerman at Georgetown. My insurance did turn up a Dr. "Tobie" Beckerman, with Shady Grove Hospital, but not the Richard Beckerman of previous post. Still looking!! Thank you, I really appreciate all your help! :)

Rebecca
#1 due 5-13-03

[ct]

My OB is shares an office with one other doctor. I only see my Dr. for appointments but they do answer calls for each other's patients when the other isn't on call (which I hate because I have heard BAD things about the other doctor, but what can you do - I don't expect my doctor to be available to me 24/7). Also, I second the recommendation for great office staff. My OB has wonderful office staff, and often I was able to get my questions answered by the nurses without having to wait to speak with the doctor. Best wishes to you...

ct
SAHM to Lilli (9/20/00) & Alec (10/21/02)

[ct]

Regarding pediatricians, don't feel obligated to pick one at the hospital you deliver at. I just had my OB recommend a pediatrician for the hospital visits (my OB and hospital are 45 min. away - I don't want to be driving 45 min for every ped visit!). Then I selected a well recommended practice near my home for regular visits. HTH

ct
SAHM to Lilli (9/20/00) & Alec (10/21/02)

[mama2be]

I think (stress think) that that Tobie Beckerman might be the female doctor that I was talking about. I remember (pre hubby...way pre hubby) that the nurses at my hospital raved about this feamle OB with the last name Beckerman. I am almost certain that at the time she worked out of ARlington or Alexandria. If it is her (you can ask the staff) I have heard great things about her. We are talking about several years ago so good chance she moved a few miles (across state lines...not too far between the two states)...

I wonder...keep me posted...:)

EDITED AFTER RESEARCHING A LITTLE :)
I just pulled up www.anywho.com and searched OB's in DC...
Elizabeth's recommendation of Richard Beckerman and the number she gave are still in effect so he is still there and in practice I would call them directly and ask if they take your insurance and what hospital they go to they will be insightful I am certain
His number (same as she gave) is 202-244-3523
His address is 4910 Massachusetts Ave NW

I also pulled up the Dr I know from way back (again just had maybe two yearly checkups, but liked him) Cesare Santangelo,
he is at 202-223-1322
His address is 1011 New Hampshire Ave NW

This Dr West was not listed amoungst the 200plus doctors that the search resulted...

HTH...

[cindyl]

i don't know if they take your insurance, but i LOVE my ob/gyn practice. two women -- drs. nancy sanders and janet schaffel. they are knowledgeable, understanding and very women-centered without being judgmental about anything (like a medicated vs. natural birth, etc.). they are also easily accessible by metro at either farragut north or dupont circle.

good luck!

cindy

[nitaghei]

Update on Holy Cross

We did a tour yesterday - and it looks pretty good. They do have a level III NICU, and will transfer to either Children's or Georgetown if level IV is needed.

Also wanted to let you know that they just started a doula program at Holy Cross. It just so happened that they had an open house about it last night, so we stopped by and met several of the doulas. I was very impressed - and DH is all for getting a doula. It certainly would seem to reduce his stress levels - so looks like that what we'll be doing. The fee is very reasonable - $350.

HTH

Nita
expecting our first 01/14/03

[dueinmay]

Hi Nita,
Thanks for the update! It does sound nice. I have a few other questions maybe you can answer: What are the room arrangements at Holy Cross? Labor & deliver in one room, then spend your two postpartum days in another? Are all rooms private (so husband can stay overnight)? Any special amenities (birthing chair, jacuzzi)? Can the baby stay in your room at all times, if you choose? Are there lactation consultants on staff to assist with breastfeeding?

Thanks for the info. DH & I have visited Georgetown and Sibley, both of which I think would be good choises, but I am still interested in learning about Holy Cross. I've heard some good things about it.

I'm glad you mentioned the doula. It something I don't know much about, but I want to consider. Need to learn more.

Have a great weekend!


Rebecca
#1 due 5-13-03

[nitaghei]

Rebecca,
Labor-delivery-recovery in one room, the next 2 days in another. They do have private rooms ($100 reservation fee, which holds a room for 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after your EDD). In a private room, baby rooms in with you, and your husband/ support person can stay overnight. There is a chair that converts into a bed. Otherwise, there are 2 women to a room, and the baby can go to the nursery at your request.

No jacuzzis in LDR rooms. Special birthing beds, but no chairs. Lactation consultants are on staff, and there will be at least one visit. We didn't actually see a L-D-R, because they were full - an unusally high number of births yesterday. There seemed to be plenty of nurses around, and I got a general impression of competence (hard to pinpoint why).

You won't go wrong with either Georgetown or Sibley. It just occurred to me that my niece was born at Sibley - I'll check with my SIL and see what first hand information I can get from her.

Holy Cross is the best facility that is reasonably close to us - which is why I'm going there (and the doggie daycare we plan on using is on the way to the hospital).

Also - what struck me about the doula was how much it could help my husband. It's not like he has any experience, either - and he seemed to feel having a person there who actually knew how it was supposed to be would be helpful. I'm ashamed to admit that it never occurred to me just how heavy a burden I was placing on DH, insisting that he be my sole support through the birth, when he's dealing with the new father thing himself. Part of the doula's function is to help support the woman by providing assistance to the partner to support the woman (if that makes any sense). Anyway, DH feels so much more confident now that we plan on having a doula, and I'm convinced the whole experince will be better for both of us.

HTH

Nita
expecting our first 01/14/03