TTC-local hospitals

jk101510

Just wondering what everyone's opinions are on hospitals in the area. Any suggestions on the best place to deliver? My OB only delivers at Shady Grove but I've heard mixed reviews about it, just wondering if I look for a new OB that delivers somewhere else.

DCtoLowcountry

I think you'll find mixed reviews on all places to deliver. I think the factors to consider are your comfort with your OB, proximity to your house / work, and hospital factors like if the facility has a NICU. You can always take a hospital tour if you like. I was pleased with SG when I delivered there, and very happy there was a Level III NICU just down the hall, but it was my comfort with my provider that made the most difference.

jk101510

Thank you! Very helpful, I think I'm just over thinking things at this point b/c I'm getting anxious to get preggers. lol

JKM416

I delivered DD in Florida (no help) and DS at NNMC here (again, no help, unless you're military).  I'm having #3 at Shady Grove.  I can't tell you about a L&D experience yet, but we had the tour last weekend and were pretty impressed with the place.  Definitely the nicest maternity unit we've seen out of the three, and I liked having the level IIIB (?) NICU right there.  I left with a good feeling because the tour guide was very thorough and seemed to want all of us to feel comfortable and prepared.

I researched SG, Holy Cross, and a few hospitals in the city before deciding on a midwife practice that delivers at SG, and every place had both wonderful and extremely negative reviews.  A lot depends on the batch of nurses you get that day because they'll handle most of your care, and you can't control that anywhere you go.  I loved some of mine and thought others were cranky and condescending, but you get what you get.  If you really like your OB and Shady Grove is convenient for you, I'd stick with it.

LindseyJW

sorry to butt in because I have no comments on the OPs question!

but, i wanted to share something i've learned in my childbirth education training - you can request new nurses if you are not happy with the one(s) assigned to you. you don't have to put up with rude, condescending or unpleasant hospital staff. simply request a new nurse. 

and, if you are planning an unmedicated birth, when you arrive at hte hospital, request a nurse with experience attending to a mom without medical pain management. 

i wish i'd known it was as easy as requesting a new nurse when i had my son at Inova Alexandria, so i'm sharing with everyone now.

G/l with your search!

tracy042206

I delivered #2 at SG.  It was OK IMO.  However my biggest negative is a positive for some.  They didn't take the babies at night to the nursery and only return them for bf'ing.  We have no family in the area and so DH had to go home at night for DD#1 and there I was recovering from my c-section with an awful cough and having to try and get up and down and take care of the baby all night.  They did take her the first night but subsequent nights it was all me and I could have used the rest since my babies aren't the usual sleepy heads that just eat, pee and sleep the first few weeks.  This was my only negative though and I know for some the rooming in policy is a big plus for them (seems to me it just saves the hospital money to not have to staff a nursery).  Other than that the care was great, the nurses were responsive and I loved my doc that delivers there.  They even let me stay an extra day since my blood counts were super low (they were surprised I wasn't passing out and I only skipped the transfusion because I was feeling fine) which really helped with bringing DD#2 home at a good time for DD#1.