New to Alexandria. Need Help to Find a Hospital and an OB/GYN...

I am currently seeing Dr. Santiago. I don't have the number handy right now, but if you google her name with "OB/GYN" and "Alexandria" I think you will find her. I've seen her twice and really like her. Several friends delivered with her and recommended her highly. She is located on Walker Lane near Kingstowne. I have not been pregnant in her care. I switched to her after my first child was born. I did, though deliver at INOVA ALexandria and it was a very positive experience. Most of the new moms I know delivered there and also liked it. They have a latch clinic that is free for the first few weeks after you deliver. You an go for help for breastfeeding from a lactation specialist at no cost. They also have nursing bras and other supplies that they sell at cost right there, which saves a trip to the store that week. Also, they have a new mom support group which I started attending when my son was one month old. I think it was very key in lowering my anxiety about being a new mom. The group is run by a nurse (susie) and moms get to ask her questions and share concerns. I continued attending the group for about 9 months and I am still friends with the moms I met there. We have play groups and call each other for support to this day. Moving while pregnant must be hard, but I'm sure it will be fine once you get settled. Best Wishes. If you don't find Dr. Santiago, email me back and I will help.

Hi!

I have replied elsewhere with information about my OB/GYN but not sure how to find those replies.

I HIGHLY recommend a practice and doc I've been with for 10 years, and am now just experiencing our first pregnancy and the entire practice has been terrific. Dr. Alice McKnight of Physician's for Women is the best doc I think I've ever had. She has treated me for endometriosis for years, and helped us to successfully conceive. We're due December 18th and after now seeing each of the 5 docs in the practice I feel comfortable with each one. They practice exclusively out of INOVA Alexandria. I've had 2 outpatient procedures performed there, by Dr. McKnight, and each experience was a good one. I also had to visit their Labor and Delivery ward to double check some symptoms I was experiencing back in early October, and I really liked the people who treated me - the same people that will be there when we deliver.

Her contact information is ###-###-####, and their site is www.physiciansforwomen.net

If you call and want to speak with someone specifically, ask for Kathleen Wilke, the head nurse for the practice. I've also known her for 10 years and she's teaching our childbirth class right now as well. Dr. Rothman, the Sr member of the practice, is the head of the OB dept at the hospital (I think I have that right.)

Can't say enough good things about them, hope everything works out for you and your family!

~J

Inova Fairfax is only "better" in that it has the higher level NICU and can deal with more complicated pregnancies.

Inova Alexandria is more appropriate if you are looking for less interventions, a slightly lower c-section rate and are not in need of the high risk care at Fairfax. Fairfax's nurses have been known to brag about their nearly 100% epidural rate.

I went to Physicians and Midwives and really liked them. They deliver only at Inova Alexandria and the hospital was great. Smaller than Fairfax but that was kind of nice, I thought. The delivery and recovery rooms were comfortable and the nursing staff was really nice.

P & M is a group practice so they encourage you to have appointments with lots of their practitioners because you won't know who is going to be working at the hospital on the day you give birth. Your birth will most likely be attended by a midwife unless there are special circumstances.

If you want to meet with the same person for every appt and then be sure that that person delivers you, I would say P & M is not for you. I liked the chance to talk to different midwives about stuff and I never had a problem getting an appointment just when I wanted it. They also have a childbirth class that meets right at the Alexandria offices in the evening for 6 weeks, which I found convenient.

Good luck with your move and pregnancy. Try to relax if you can!

Have you tried looking at the Capital Women's Care website?

They are a large practice with offices in both Fairfax and Alexandria. I chose them as my OB-Gyn, and so far am having a very good experience. The doctor I tend to see is Dr Michael Kusic, I'm not sure which doctors work at the Alexandria office.
I've heard that Inova Fairfax has a very good rep for childbirth. I don't know anything about Inova Alexandria. However, I think that Capital Women's Care is affiliated with both.

I hope this information is helpful. Good luck with the pregnancy and take care.

Hi, S., just now saw your posting...Try to see if your chosen dr. has privileges at both Fairfax and Alexandria hospitals and can give you the choice. Our OB did that (I would recommend her but sadly her practice is no longer in Alexandria but way out in Reston). We toured both hospitals in advance and chose Alexandria because it was smaller and the birthing rooms were cozier, more like hotel rooms, while the birthing room we saw at Fairfax was more like a hospital operating room. Fairfax is a great hospital and if your baby ends up with any potential complications you may want to deliver there just to have their neonatal experts nearby, but otherwise, Alexandria's a smaller hospital where you might feel more attended to....Things could have changed at either place, of course, as I had my daughter eight years ago! But whatever happens, do tour your chosen hospital's birthing center in advance. It really helps you feel more prepared when the time comes. Good luck and welcome to the area! Before the baby comes, try to spend some of your free time seeing a few things around Va. and DC to take your mind off things and enjoy yourself a little while you can still get out. Take good care of yourself.

Just wanted to add that I delivered at Alexandria Hospital with Physicians and Midwives - everything went great. I live in Fairfax now, and the OB I go to only delivers at Fairfax. If I have another child I will be disappointed not to deliver at Alexandria (I might even consider switching practices, just so I can go there)