Sibley Memorial Birth Stats
As doula and birth photographer, I have compiled helpful stats and info about the birth environment at Sibley Hospital.
Check out my photography galleries, doula services, or learn more about a particular hospital
About Sibley
| Hospital Location | 5255 Loughboro Road, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20016 |
| Labor and Delivery | 202-537-4000 3rd Floor Left of elevators |
| Valet Parking | |
| Parking | $12/day |
| After hours | Currently, use the Main Entrance |
Stats
| NICU | Level II |
| Well-baby Nursery | ✓ |
| Births per Month | 351 |
| C-section | 33.9% |
| Early Elective Deliveries | 1.6% |
| Episiotomies | 4.5% |
| Unmedicated Birth | Rare |
| Vaginal Multiples | No |
| Breech | No |
| Waterbirth | No |
Specialists
| NICU | Level II |
| Well-baby Nursery | ✓ |
| Midwives | No |
| Anesthesiologist | 24/7 |
| Neonatologist | 24/7 |
| Pediatrician | 24/7 |
Induction Methods
| Swiping membranes | ✓ |
| Breaking water | ✓ |
| Cervical Ripening | ✓ |
| Pitocin | ✓ |
| Castor Oil | |
| Breast Stimulation | |
| Acupuncture |
Pain-relief Options
Some pain-relief options are not available later in labor. In fact, the closer you get to delivery, the more likely you'll only be able to use an epidural. If you are hoping to use something else, be sure you mention it early on.
| Epidural Block | ✓ |
| Spinal Block | ✓ |
| Narcotics | ✓ |
| Local Anesthetic Injection | ✓ |
| Pudendal Block | ✓ |
| Tranquilizers | ✓ |
| Sterile Water Injections | No |
| Nitrous Oxide | No |
Labor and Delivery Amenities
| Private LDR Rooms | All 18 Rooms |
| Bathroom | All Rooms |
| Shower with hand-held showerhead | All Rooms |
| Adjustable lights | All Rooms |
| Adjustable temperature | All Rooms* |
| Jacuzzi Tub | No |
| Squat Bar | ✓ |
| Birth Ball | ✓ |
| Peanut Ball | ✓ |
| Birth Stool | No |
| Wireless EFM Unit | No |
The nurse must call the central control room to have them change the temperature in your room.
Visitation During Labor and Delivery
| Siblings allowed during labor | No |
| Persons allowed in triage | Two persons |
| Persons allowed in LDR | Two persons |
| Persons allowed during epidural insertion | One Person |
| Persons allowed during c-section | One Person |
Labor Policies
Nurses can accommodate most safe birthing practices. Some alternative birthing practices may need to be approved by your midwife or doctor. These are general guidelines. Your individual OB may manage your birth more or less conservatively.
| Saline/Hep lock | Required |
| Drinking | Clear liquids only |
| Eating | Not allowed |
| Time Limit after PROM | Labor must start within 18 hours |
| Stalled Labor | Pitocin after 1-2 hours of no progress |
| Pushing time limit | 3 hours |
| Vaginal exams | Routine |
| Blood pressure cuff | Intermittent* |
| Electronic Fetal Monitoring | Intermittent* |
| Typical monitoring | 40 off - 20 on |
* You'll need to be continuously monitored once your water breaks, you start Pitocin, or if your baby is in distress. If you don't have an epidural, you can still move around - as long as they can get a good strip.
Delivery Positions
Your doctor has the most influence on which position you can deliver in. Though options are more limited with an epidural, you can still ask for an upright position.
| Laying down with stirrups | Most Common |
| Semi-sitting | ✓ |
| Side-lying | ✓ |
| Hands and knees | No |
| Squat on bed | No |
| ackward on bed | No |
| Squat on floor | No |
| Water Birth | No |
| Birth Stool | No |
Newborn Services
The staff may encourage you to comply with routine newborn procedures, but you can opt-out of some procedures and screenings, by signing a waiver.
If you have a strong desire to delay cord clamping or the newborn exam, be sure you mention it when you arrive, and remind them again just before delivery.
| Newborn Exam | ✓ |
| Cord Clamping | Can delay |
| Encourage immediate skin-to-skin | ✓ |
| Encourage first feeding in LDR room | ✓ |
| Delay procedures while mom and baby bond | ✓ |
| Vitamin K shot | ✓ |
| Vitamin K oral drops | You must provide |
| Erythromycin eye ointment | ✓ |
| Metabolic screening test | ✓ |
| Bilirubin test | ✓ |
| Hearing Screening | ✓ |
| Hep B Vaccine | ✓ |
| Circumcision | ✓ |
| Cord blood collection | ✓ |
| Placenta Services* | Sign a release |
*You will need to sign a release before delivery. They will give it to you in a covered plastic container. Be sure to have a qualified placenta specialist process it as soon as possible.
Postpartum Recovery
| Length of stay: Vaginal | 2 nights |
| Length of stay: C-section | 3 nights |
| Postpartum rooming-in | Encouraged |
| Nursery | Available |
| Private postpartum recovery rooms* | $200+ night |
| Shared postpartum recovery rooms | No addtional fee |
| Partner visitation | Unlimited |
| Family Visitation | 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Other healthy vistors over 12 years old | 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
*Sibley offers two-room, two-bathroom private postpartum rooms. You can place your name on the waiting list for private rooms after your baby is born. The per night rate is paid by you at checkout. You can submit the fee to your insurance for reimbursement. More information about their rooms.
Lactation Support
Nurses can help you get started with breastfeeding. A lactation consultant is available during the day to offer guidance and support.
| IBCLC | ✓ |
| Breastfeeding supply store | ✓ |
| Breast pump rentals | ✓ |
| Sibley Lactation Services | 202-242-2321 sibleylactation@jhmi.edu |
| Breastfeeding support group | Monday 11:30 - 12:45 Sibley Medical Office Building Third Floor Conference Room 5 |
Other
| Mom, baby, and partner have matching security bands | ✓ |
| Free WIFI | ✓ |