Midwifery Care Associates / Simmonds Martin Helmbrecht / Shady Grove?

JKM416 · March 2011

Does anyone have insight into the OB practice the midwives work within (Simmonds Martin & Helmbrecht)?

My military doctor is going to try to get me a referral out of the system and for a civilian OB. I am definitely interested in midwife care (had some with DD) but am not finding stuff that meets my needs (distance, hospital, etc.) listed as covered providers on my insurance's website. However, the OB practice is an authorized provider.

Wondering if the OBs are good and perhaps have a similar mindset to some of the midwives?

Also, the main reason I'm considering Shady Grove is because of the jacuzzi tubs (and initially thinking I could work with the midwives that deliver there). But I don't know much else about the hospital - any thoughts are appreciated. I need to build a "case" for my doctor to write a convincing referral. If Shady Grove staff (and the OBs) are pretty med-free supportive and don't have a crazy medicalized approach, that would be helpful to put in.

Beijaflorju · March 2011

Shriek of excitement!

I have no answers, but congrats! I was wondering if there was a third in the near future Big Smile Congrats to you and the LCDR (mister didn't sound right). Wishing you a healthy pregnancy!

JKM416 · March 2011

Thanks, only-person-I-know-in-real-life-on-this-board

Assuming we're moving summer 2012 (though that's still a big "if"), we had to move the timeline for #3 up a bit more than I would've liked to make sure we weren't PCSing with a newborn. Murphy's Law says we'd get Guam...

hollace · March 2011

There was a woman in my birth class that is using the midwifes at SGAH. She seemed pleased with their care. While I didn't speak at length with her about them the instructor asked some questions. It does sound as though they are happy to support a med-free birth if that is what you're looking for. It also sounded like they handle a lot of the birthing process but, obviously, if intervention was needed the OB's would step in. Again, this is all third hand but if you're interested I guess it's something to look into. I am not familiar with the OB's in this practice but ultimately you can forgo an epidural with any OB/hospital. That is your choice. Now, again, if things are going south and an emergent c-section is required you will get general anesthesia regardless of where you deliver.

DCtoLowcountry · March 2011

I delivered DS with MCA and just met with one of the OBs as a backup (Dr. Bernstein? It was a gentleman). I am very pleased with the midwifery care, but I can't speak all the OBs other than they are comfortable being backup for a midwifery practice. Like pp suggested, any OB should support med-free delivery.

I did labor in one of the tubs, but I *think* SG only has 2 L&D suites with the tubs. They do try to hold them for med-free-desiring clients, so I'd make sure to mention it when you're heading to the hospital. If wanting to labor in a tub is a must-have I'd call SG and check.

jenndreier · March 2011

I go to Simmonds Martin Helmbrecht. I saw one of the midwives after I had DD (way back in 2007) but one of the OBs delivered DD. I liked the midwife that I saw. This was also before they absorbed the midwives from the birthing center in bethesda.

I really wanted to comment about the tubs. I was really excited about getting in the tub at Shady Grove, but when I got there no one knew how to work the tub and just stood there clueless. It was disappointing that I couldnt take advantage of the tub because no one could figure out how to turn it on. They really looked shocked that I wanted to get in the tub. Again, this was in 2007 so maybe things are different now.

Good luck!!! Jenn

islelily · March 2011

I hope I'm not too late jumping in here. I delivered DS at SGAH with Simmonds, Martin & Helmbrecht. Dr. Martin was actually the doctor who delivered him! I very much enjoyed going with SGAH. Our birth plan consisted of being open to meds, but trying to go as far as possible without them. Both the hospital and Dr. Martin were very open to this idea.

My water broke before any real contractions in the middle of the night and I was directed to go to the hospital. They checked me in and set us up in one of the new rooms (it had a shower, not a tub, which worked in our situation since you cannot use the tub if your water has broken already). I was only 1cm and they let me labor by myself for a while. They did a non-medicine procedure of putting pressure on the cervix to help it dilate faster and I didn't go on pitocin until 16 hours into labor.

I was really concerned the whole time that Dr. Martin or the nurses would push us along and suggest a c/s since my water had broken so much earlier, but that wasn't the case. I distinctly remember the nurse saying that they had gotten me so far already that she would do whatever possible for me to delivery vaginally in the end.

Even through pushing, Dr. Martin followed my lead. He gave us options about an episiodomy vs pushing a few more times. We chose to push more and turns out I didn't tear too badly!

So I really enjoyed the birthing process with the practice and the hospital. I will definitely plan on going through them again the next time we are pregnant.

The practice was great too. I had a few appointments with one of the MW and my follow-up with her as well. Feel free to PM me with any other questions!

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Midwifery Care Associates / Simmonds Martin Helmbrecht / Shady Grove?

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