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OBs
Hello everyone! I've been in Toledo since June, haven't gotten established with any docs, and surprise! I'm pregnant! I had an appt scheduled for Oct 26 with a fertility specialist in Sidney who said to just keep that appt and we would figure everything out. But a 3 day long headache last week made me think I should just suck it up and find a local doc sooner rather than later.
I'm not totally hippy-granola, but a big thing for me is finding someone who will let me labor how I want, not have me confined to my bed hooked up to a drip if I have an uncomplicated labor. Another thing is that I'm a medical professional and want someone who will respect my opinions and discuss things with me on that level. I live close to downtown, but I don't think geography is as important since Toledo is so small and easy to drive around. Although, I work at St.V's and Toledo Children's, so it might be nice to go to pre-natals close by or even in the hospital so I don't have to miss too much work.
Opinions? When you were pregnant did you just call offices up and ask about the doc's practices or philosophies, or did they want you to make an appt?
Re: OBs
Our baby girl!!
Congrats on your pregnancy!!!
Rivercrest OBGYN...hands down. I have seen two other practices (Maumee OBGyn delivered our 1st & 2nd, & I used A Woman's Answer until 2T of our first pregnancy); used Rivercrest for all of our 3rd. They are a small practice, and very personable. I personally used Twombly (she is great to discuss things with & she listens....I have had many discussions w/ her about OB topics), but the other docs are awesome too. They have one of the lowest CS rates in the area, & although are pretty pro-active with HR pts., they are awesome at respecting natural birth wishes. They are amazing. Period. I hemorrhaged during the birth of my son; I firmly believe her knowledge & skills are THE reason I still have my uterus.
I can't really help you with practices near/in your two practicing hospitals; I really don't know of any
HTH
I go to Maumee OB/Gyn. Not the most popular choice on the board, but I actually got the recommendation to go there a few years ago on the knot (before I was married, when we were definitely still on the fence about kids) - I had been going to a doc up in Monroe, but moved back down this way when I met my husband. The only complaint I've had with them is the occasional long wait but definitely some good reasons when they've been lengthy waits. I typically see Dr. Ruch, saw Dr. Kanios my last office appointment and Dr. Ruch delivered. I was induced a week early due to GD, but zero complications, baby came too fast for the epi and everything was fine.
An important question for you is which hospital do you prefer to deliver at? Differnet docs have privileges at different hospitals.
For what you want I'm going to say that Maumee is not going to be a good fit. They are great doctors, but they are a huge practice and I get the feeling they are not what you are looking for.
I went to them and didn't like them. I felt like just another pregnant lady on the conveyor belt. People either love them or hate them. I happened to hate them.
I switched 14 weeks into my pregnancy to Dr. Puckett in Sylvania, she delivers at Flower. She is very open, very honest, listens to you, she doesn't have a problem with more open ideas towards birth. It is just herself and another female OB in the office. They are both great. She is hands down the BEST doctor out of any doctors I have ever seen. She makes you feel like a person, not a patient and she never blows you off or makes you feel rushed like some doctors can. Flower is also a nice hospital, a lot of people are going to say no to it because it doesn't have the NICU like Toledo, but Toledo Hosp is a stones throw away and Dr. Puckett will deliver there if there are complications. Flower is set up like little apartments, the rooms are huge, some have birthing tubs, you stay in the same room for everything where all the other area hospitals you have to move around except for I think St. Lukes. Anyways, I loved it there. The nurses were amazing and I couldn't have asked for a better birth. It also is not a baby factory like Toledo Hospital. At Toledo they birth probably 20 babies or more a day. Flower may get 1-2 a day. I liked the personal 1 on 1 attention I received there from the staff.
Good Luck making a decision.
I see Dr. Tess Gordon, she is in private practice right now called Northwest Ohio Partners in Womens Health II. Right now she only takes on so many pregnant women a month in hopes that she can deliver all her own patients, and while I never talked with her about those kind of wishes you expressed to have during your labor and delivery I would almost guarantee that she is going to be on board with you and your wishes. She is a fantastic advocate for her patients, and were I ever to have more children (not probably likely) I would see her in heartbeat.
During my c-section last week, she, not my nurse, held my shoulders and guided me through my spinal anesthesia. For me that is the kind of care that I needed. She also fyi does really awesome circumsicions....hahah
I decided to make an appointment with Associates in Women's Health. They sound like what I'm looking for. I feel like most uncomplicated pregnancies can be managed by a midwife, but they have an OB for any complications. Plus, I think Flower is the only place in the city that has suites. They also advertise a birthing tub on their site, so I think the hospital is flexible on labor.
I made an appointment for 10/21. I'm super irregular, and don't know exactly how far I am. I totally forgot to ask if they'll do an U/S to date me. Does anyone that uses them know if they usually do one on the first visit? Maybe I should call back and ask, but then I feel like a high maintenance pregnant woman.
You will LOVE Flower. I had the best experience delivering my son there. I wanted little intervention and tried for drug free, didn't go that route, ended up with an Epi but the nurses were great with helping out all they could while I tried to go drug free and allow me to walk around and do as I please until I decided I needed drugs, LOL.
The rooms are gigantic and very comfortable as far as a hospital room goes. I would never deliver anywhere else, unless I had to because of a complication.
Just so we're clear...I feel like Toledo Hospital doesn't get a fair shake on this board. I had zero complaints with anything about it - except for the bill, but that is to be expected. Yes, there are not tubs to labor in...not a requirement for me. The nurses were great (I suppose it helps that my mom #2 was an L&D nurse there for many years prior to retiring a couple of years ago), they are in the process of remodeling. All rooms are private now - although there are a few bigger rooms in case more room is needed (they have 34). There were 19 babies born the day I had Stella - which was actually a bit more than normal. But I did not feel like I was slighted or overlooked in anyway.
And to be honest with you - I really didnt' want to stay in the same room where I delivered. Thanks, but no.
TTH is not the devil. nft
They only have a very old ultrasound machine there that they use only when needed. They will send you to Sylvania Ultrasound for an ultrasound. How far along will you be then? You will probably be meeting with Chris, one of the nurses first. She is very sweet (not that anyone there isn't). One of my favorite things about her was that she would let me know if they were running behind or not. If they were, she would get me a cold glass of water and make sure I had plenty of magazines. When I had to have an NST, she did the same. You will not regret your decision at all!! This may sound strange, but I actually sort of miss seeing all the people there on a regular basis.
Our baby girl!!
I am the same way. My due date would have been at the beginning of April instead of the end if I had gone by my lmp. The only reason I knew when I had ovulated was because I used ovulation tests. I was originally with another OB, and their ultrasound had given me one due date, but I had figured another based on my chart (not that the dates were that far apart). My dd was born on the day I figured would be my due date! I told my dh that she was just proving I am right from the day she was born.
I really think you will be happy with the midwives and Dr. Jackson. I liked my old OB, but I had issues with the wait times and the front desk staff. I had a feeling I should change, and I am so glad I did. Everyone there knew my name, and when I went back for my yearly exam a few months after she was born, they still remembered me and were asking about my daughter.
Our baby girl!!