need recommendation for ob/gyn

When I was pregnant with my first, I chose a hospital with a high number of deliveries and the best NICU I could find, and then chose a doctor that practiced at that hospital. Even though I lived in MD at the time, I went to Inova Fairfax Hospital. They have a 75 bed level 3 NICU, which can handle every type of problem, and see over 12,000 deliveries each year. It is for these same reasons that now as an L&D RN I work at Inova Fairfax Hospital.

Inova Fairfax has in-house (and on the unit, all the time) anesthesiologists and surgical first assists. Other hospitals have Anesthesia and First Assists on-call -- they have 20 minutes to get to the hospital when needed. Unfortunately, sometimes babies don't have 20 minutes to wait. There are NICU nurses available for every delivery, 22 LDR rooms, and the unit is very well staffed. Everyone is very experienced -- with over 12,000 babies born there each year, the staff has seen it all, and knows what to do. There are hospitals closer, but the drive is worth it to me to be at a hospital where the experience and resourses are available for any type of delivery.

 

We switched from Fairfax (had a great experience in the hospital, but didn't like our OB group so much) to Loudoun and will have the baby in 2 weeks, so we'll let you know how it goes. We chose Dr. Duggal, she has an awesome bedside manner and is really down to earth. Her website is http://www.loudounwomenshealth.com/

 

I totally agree with you. Our daughter and firstborn was born stillborn when I was two days overdue in 2005 at Fair Oaks Hospital. She was 6 pounds, 2 ounces, 21 inches long, and so beautiful. Losing a child was the most heartbreaking exprience to go through. She died as an indirect result of doctor negligence. I highly recommend that if anyone has any uncomfortable feelings about their doctor or standard of care, to change doctors--trust your instincts!

We definitely switched docters and when I was pregnant again with our son, we delivered at Fairfax Hospital because we wanted their NICU on call in case we encountered problems (after losing one child, we were going to do everything it took to ensure that the next one(s) were taken care of). We interviewed almost every OB/GYN in the NoVA area and I HIGHLY recommend the practice we settled with. It's Northern Virginia OB/GYN Associates (703-391-1550) with Doctors Anne Dobrzynski, David Berry, and Glen Silas. I absolutely love them and they went above and beyond to try to give us some comfort during a very, very stressful pregnancy. Their offices are near Fair Oaks and Fairfax Hospitals, but they are totally worth it.

 

To begin with, I am very sorry for your loss. I've also lost a baby but I can't imagine losing a child at full-term.

I used this practice for my first child and switched practices the following year. I spent my entire pregnancy with undiagnosed gallbladder disease. I was continually told that it was just "ligaments stretching". Two days after delivery, I was back in the ER and was told I had to go to Fairfax Hospital because that was where I delivered. I was never even seen by anyone there because they were dealing with multiple gunshot wounds so when the attack passed, I just went home. Finally, at my six week post-partum checkup, when I said I was still in a lot of pain, it was suggested that I get an ultrasound which confirmed that I needed my gallbladder out but instead of referring me to a surgeon, I was referred to a GI specialist who doesn't do surgery.

I also ended up with a vaginal infection after my delivery because the doctor scrubbed the baby's head as she was crowning with baby shampoo. I had a severely infected episiotomy, a failed vacuum extraction and a forceps delivery and my daughter has special needs that I believe are related to her delivery.

As a topper, when I said I was having problems with post-partum depression, I was told that if I wasn't thinking of killing myself, then I didn't have a problem.

I'm glad that you received excellent care from this practice, but I most certainly did not.

 

Sorry to hear you had a bad experience. Which doctor(s) did you deal with? I've only seen Dobrzynski, Berry, and Silas (I only saw Maddox once) and they have been nothing fabulous. Extra cautious on every little thing and all have great bedside manners.

 

I saw Dr. Berry multiple times as he was my OB before the pregnancy. I also saw Dr. Maddox and my daughter was delivered by Dr. Kelly.

 

Dr. Kelly is no longer with the practice and I only saw Dr. Maddox once--I think he primarily works at the Fairfax office. I primarily saw Dr. Dobrzynski and Dr. Silas (they rock!) and Dr. Berry occasionally. I guess I'm lucky that I didn't have to deal with Kelly and only saw Maddox once. Sorry you had such a bad experience.

 

I'll put in another plug for Dr. Neil Foster. He's been my OB GYN for 8 years, and delivered my daughter at Loudoun last year. He's wonderful, and the staff know you by name (he is the only doctor in his practice). The birthing inn at Loudoun is warm, personable, and the nurses are fabulous. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. My nurse stayed with me, on-on-one, for 9 hours and coached me through the entire process. It was just like having a mid-wife - and made it all an amazing experience.

 

I have to give kudos to Perfectly Female as well. (Ashburn and Reston) I was seeing them as a general GYN and now they are my OB as well. We're due in December and they have taken GREAT care of us. I was seeing Dr. Santiago exclusively as a GYN but learned she is no longer there.....but all the doctors are really nice women, I've seen all of them at one point in my pregnancy.