I'm sad to say that I also had a not so great experience with Lonnie. I spoke to Donna on the phone and really liked her a lot, though. My story is roughly that I used to live in Hoboken. Dr's Brescia and Mig were my OBs there. I really loved them. I had a CC with my DD due to a placenta previa. We moved to Nyack, NY and I didn't have a dr or midwife yet. It was really important for me to have a pro vbac caregiver. Someone who would support me, and keep me safe. I'm not interested in super risk taking, but I want every encouragement for my body to do what it was made for as far as birth. Anyhow, Lonnie came highly recommended. I went on the "meet and greet." It is done in her offices in fort lee with a bunch of other couples. She seemed really nice to me, answered all the questions. VERY pro VBAC, etc. I did, however get a funny feeling about the birthing tubs. I asked if it cost extra and she didn't want to answer my question. I pushed and she admitted that, yes, it did. My gut said to call the hospital the next day, so I did. I asked them about the tubs and they said it's all dependent on whether one was available and not broken. That, currently, only one was available. I asked if I could rent one and bring it in. Very strong NO. Okay, so that was a little red flag. But, she had said everything I wanted to hear during the meet and greet so I switched to her. My first appt she barely spent any time with me. I had some past fertility issues and concerns, so I connection was important to me. She had one foot out the door. I followed her to her office where she proceeded to take a 15 minute phone call giving someone directions. Her nurse pestered me to fill out my transfer papers. I mean like at least 6 times. I didn't want to fill them out until I got a chance to talk to Lonnie...which I wasn't getting. In the end, I felt like I never really got a chance to really talk with her. A few days later, I got my blood test results back from the OB I had been seeing from the first screen. I passed, but just barely and was concerned. I called Lonnie's office to talk to them about it. Lonnie said, quite roughly, "well, do you want an amnio?" I said, "no..." She said, "well, then it's normal." I said, "but, just barely." She said, "so you want an amnio?" I said, "no." She said, "Okay then, it's normal!" That was it. I talked to my husband about it and he had lots of questions. so I called back to find out what drove my numbers, to help me understand what was making me higher risk. She didn't take my call. Her nurse called me back to tell me that I could call the high risk doc they partner with and set up an appt if I had more questions. Meanwhile, she never gave me a name or phone number to do so. Right then and there I thought FORGET THIS! I'm not a high maintenance person. But, I do have a history of infertility, miscarriage and then placenta previa. When I get a test back that isn't so great, I pay attention and try to understand. I tried my hardest to explain that to her when we met. Anyhow, it just wasn't for me. She does have a great reputation, though, and probably is the right fit for a certain woman. I've visited Palisades when I was pregnant with DD in 2006. At the time they were very traditional, monitor, bed, etc. I asked and they flat out told me no. I'd be in bed, hooked up, that was that. I have heard since Lonnie has been there that there has been a major turn around. I think you'll just have to meet her and see how it feels. But, I do echo the sentiment on the birthing tubs and not getting the full story, and her not being available to really answer questions when you need help. As a side note, I had also called about swelling in my legs. She never spoke to me then either. I spoke to her nurse. Anyhow, good luck!!!
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