Hi All,
I have never asked a question before, but I could really use some opinions on this one.
For my first son - who is 2 years old - I was with Dr. Rhee's OBGYN practice. She was perfectly competent, but very rushed and I often felt like I was put on the back burner or that my questions were trivialized, during labor I felt she was dismissive of my presence when discussing my circumstances with the attending doctor. At my annual this year she opened the door while I was still asking questions, which to say the least made me feel as if she thought I was wasting her time. On the other hand her practice is run very smoothly, her nurses are friendly and remember you, she returns calls promptly and the other doctors in her practice seem nice. Also, all the doctors in her practice are supportive of VBACs which is very important to me considering my very negative and traumatizing labor and c-section experience the first time round.
So my question is two fold.
The first is, now that I am pregnant again - do I stick with a doctor I am familiar with even if I feel uncomfortable with her in some respects or do I look for a new practice and hopefully get something better but very possibly encounter a whole new set of problems and on top of it be completely unfamiliar with everything?
The second question is following are a list of practices I have had recommended to me - has anyone used any of them? What were your experiences? And if you attempted or had a VBAC with them did you feel fully supported by them?
Dr. Juanita Jenyons
Midwifery of Manhattan - Sylvie Blaustein, Rosanne Cosentino, Amanda Segilia & Laura Zeidenstein.
CBS Midwifery - Barbara Sellers and Elizabeth Boyce
Thank you all for your time and attention I really really appreciate it!
Hi A., my cousin has used sylvie from manhattan midwifery twice and recommends her highly. it sounds like you should make the switch to a person you're completely comfortable with. good luck!
Hey, A.----
I can't speak to your VBAC questions or make your decision as to who you go with, but Barbara Sellers was my midwife back in '98 (I still see her for regular pap smears), and she was great.
Absolutely do not stay with the doctors - sounds horrible, and rude. I used midwives for my baby and felt so good, wonderful, lucky, valued. Sometimes I couldn't believe how long they spent with me, and sometimes I thought, ok, lets wrap it up. They were incredibly respectful of all my questions, remembering i've never done this before! I've heard of Sylvie Blaustine - I think she's published.! Please, go for it. It's such a pleasure to be taken care of for 9 months!!! It's like a monthly massage for your soul.
I've heard good things about Midwifery of Manhattan. I like Dr. Shawna Hedly. Her office is near Grand Central. All my friends go to her. She is in practice with two other Dr.'s, who are also great. The office can be a bit hectic, but overall we were very pleased. Best of luck, B. B., Mom to 10-week-old Zadie
hi A.,
Dr Rhee is also my Dr. I gave birth 5 weeks ago and actually had two of her partners with me that day since she was on vacation. Dr Bradley was there during my labor and Dr Olivares delivered my baby and both were fantastic. I would definitely recommend staying with the practice and just switch to one of the other doctors. Dr Olivares in particular is extremely caring and takes a lot of time with you.
I have also heard both of the midwife practices you mentioned are great, but that they are just hard to get in with. They only take a few patients per month.
Good luck!
T.
Hi A., I am a patient in the same practice as doctor rhee and although she was not my doctor i have seen her and had the exact same experience. However my doc is doctor bradley and she is amazing! I have absolutely no complaints about her care or concern about me or my baby. I had a very difficult birth and c section and though she did was not able to be there for the delivery she drove in the middle of the night from connecticut where she was visiting her family to see me when i woke up at 6 the next morning. She is really fantastic. And it is also true about the nurses, they are always friendly and make you feel comfortable. Good luck!
Well, I am not in Manhatten so I don't know any of the practices you mentioned. But I had an OB that sounds a lot like the practice you have (very busy) and I switched to a midwife group at 8 months. No regrests there at all except not doing it sooner. Also getting a doula was really helpful as well. I also ended up with a c-section in the end (after 18 hours) but I think the midwife did let me give the natural childbirth approach a good chance. My son was big (9 lbs), I was sick when I went into labor and he had aspiratied meuconium by the time he was delivered--so all in all not a great labor expereince. But I did get a lot of emotional support from the midwives. I am now in my last trimester and still strongly considering a VBAC. My midwife will definitely let me try unless there is a complication that makes it not recommended. I do feel like there is a lot of information out there about it and quite a bit is biased for or against. I know what I need now is a practioner who will take the time to discuss VBAC and help me make the best decision. Good luck finding the right practice for you.
Well, I would say keep your current OB/GYN while you go shopping around different OB/GYNs to see which one of them you feel comfortable and supported. You simply make an appointment with each one of several OB/GYNs who are highly recommended by people you can trust. I like VBAC which is woman's natural life experience but some doctors want an easy way out. Many OB/GYNs don't want to take over cases from patients who are 4-month pregnant from previous OB/GYN to avoid possibility of any liability unknown to them. In the other words, do your OB/GYN shopping as early as possible and preferably before 4 months pregnancy.
