switching OB due to moving...how moch can you trust reviews?

[claudi81]

OK I will be moving in 2 weeks..at 35 weeks, all the way from Arizona to Alabama, yep crazy I know...!

Now, since I will not have much time left once I am there to switch Providers over and over I decided to email a doula there to recommend some OBs and hospitals that would support my VBA2C plan...she gave me a name ..Dr. Cimino in Huntsville and said that he was very supportive...in my research (patient reviews) I read some very positive coments about him and on his view on child birth...however also some pretty negative stuff as far as surgery goes....now I am sure what to think, he helped tons of woman to give birth in his career and might have avoided tons of c-sections....so maybe a few negative comments may not weigh as much...? Right? I am not sure what to do I got to schedule an appointment with an OB soon, I do not want to risc not having one once I finally deliver...time is running.

Some comments were pretty frightening though...ugh....

 

[claudi81]

Anybody from that area maybe?

[CookAMH]

You could post on the tribe board for the area to which you're moving, you might get some answers there. Another option is to look up the ICAN group for that area, and see if you can either talk on the phone with one of the leaders, or join in with the message group. My area (Seattle) has a yahoo group where you can ask for feedback about a care provider (they'd most likely email you off list).

I hope you can settle on a supportive doc! It means so much. Maybe there would be a hospital midwife that would be an option too.

http://ican-online.org/chapter/search

Mothering tribal board for AL

http://www.mothering.com/community/forum/list/77

[claudi81]

Thank you I am not familiar with yahoo groups I will try though. ... unfortunately the i can leader for Alabama seems not to respoand to anything I wrote her allready who knows if al has one right now

[AustinMom]

I'm from Austin, TX (obviously hints the screen name) and I would have to say that your OB matters very little.  In your case count it as a blessing that you don't have a good relationship with him that you will end up trusting a mis-guided opinion (which many moms do), like "I've seen this guy my whole pregnancy, he wouldn't cut me open unless me or the baby needed it right?"  For most of those moms...wrong.  That's sadly not what our country is like, or in the South either.  So...I'd say, hire a doula, hire a doula, hire a doula, hire 2 doulas.  Seriously. Chances are, the OB will be in the room very little, and chances are you are only going to see him for birth, and it really doesn't matter if he doesn't care for you, or thinks that you are outspoken or anything.  It's your birth, please be sure to have the team there who will support you for the entire labor and is not medically minded as MOST OBs are. 

Wow, that sounded harsh, didn't mean for it to, but I think your best bet is to focus on Doulas, who you know are more likely to believe in VBAC than those 'catching' your baby during his/her birth.

:)

Sorry the ICAN lady isn't responding, that's tough.  Wish I knew more about AL to help you out.

[claudi81]

you are right Austin mom...If I have an OB though like last time who keeps pressuring me and gives me till 41 weeks and then does a membrane strip allows me to let it work about 2 hr to go into full labor, then wheel me into OR I will not be in good hands either right?

I have found a Doula there she recommended a OB to me that would leave me alone and believes in natural childbirth, however when I researched him, I read some awefull things about the surgeries he performed...good OB except for his surgery skills...I do not want a c-section but if I do need one I like to trust the OB in that too.

Anyways I so would like a Doula but she is so expecnsive, she asking 550 for her services which does include a lotof things, but all I need is really just her being there when I go to the hospital..esp. since my huband will be with the kids and not there for me..we probably will not have someone to watch them in such a short time. since we move right before I am due ...UGH....300-350 was my limit and most doulas I found would charge that much not 550...we do not have the money after the move. :(   I wonder if I can ask her to lower her rate and just do not offer me all the things she would normaly do..like before and after care..oils, books etc...

[CookAMH]

It never hurts to ask the doula. Maybe she'd accept additional payment months after the fact, if she isn't able to come down in price.

[LisaSedai]

What review site did you find the bad reviews on? I tried looking him up on healthgrades... not much info that site.

There are 4 Alabama ICAN groups I believe. If the Huntsville one is  not responding to you, I would try to contact the Birmingham one. B'Ham is only 2 hours away from H'ville and she may be able to give you some info on the H'ville docs. She did respond to me last year when I was looking for some B'ham doc names.

AL is currently anti-midwife... I doubt you'd be able to find one in here, if you did she'd probably not be allowed to do VBACs.

Good luck!

[claudi81]

Hi,

yeah I have written a message to the main ICAN leader who forwared me over to some of the south leaders...I hope they can give me more info.

LISA: my Doula keeps reffering me to Dr. Cimino...here is the site where I found all the negative reviews..http://www.ratemds.com/doctor-ratings/45077/AL/Huntsville/Cimino

I basically get that if everything goes well I be fine with him as being supportive for my wish to birth naturally, but if I end up needing surgery I feel a bit worried after reading these reviews :(

Not sure how much to trust them.

[Lisa1970]

I would only go for the reviews of people from Ican. Everyone I know was thrilled with my last few OBs. People tend to be thrilled with them. But, my last one, while she was very nice and had great bedside manner, she could not handle a vbac. And the one before that pulled the rug out from under me and had her male partners get nasty with me in my last month forcing a csect on me, with threats. (that I did not want my baby, that they were concerned that I did not care if my baby lived, etc) That doctor came highly highly recommended. 

I wish I had just stayed with the doctor Ican recommended. I am with him now though.

[claudi81]

Yeah I hope I get some answers from ICAN this time....I can not believe we have a leader in Huntsville wo could help me, but is just not even caring to reply or call back, why did she not look for a replacement if she was done doing it??!! I hope someone else will help, I also asked in the tribe but so far no answers :(

I am really antzy since I will be 36 weeks along once I get there....I need to pick the right one no doubt about it I have no time to look and switch...

What if tehy also recommend the OB that got those bad reviews online ??

[CookAMH]

Something to keep in mind, and this isn't me saying what you should do - is I have learned that with online reviews, you are guaranteed to find negative responses, because the couple of people who had a bad experience are going to tell it everywhere they can. I have never thought surgeons are perfect, and yes it's a tough question to personally face risks. I can only say what I think personally, and that is, despite two bad reviews, this sounds like a great doc for your primary objective - to have a VBAC. You already know your purpose in that is a healthy baby and mama so that is not minimized in the least (you're choosing a vbac b/c you believe it's the healthiest option).

Please also keep in mind that ANY other doc can make the same mistakes. He certainly doesn't make up the population of doctors who have caused harm in a cesarean surgery. I admit, expected more horror stories on that review site. I don't want it to sound like I am playing light of your concern, only you can make the right decision here since this is your life. 

[AustinMom]

Have you called all the Doulas here?

http://www.dona.org/search/results.php?region=United+States+-+AL&doulas=birth&x=18&y=12

There are a couple in B'ham and Hunts.  I am with ICAN Austin, and we have a mom driving from Victoria to Austin for a VBAC, and her Doulas are in Austin as well.  So maybe if you did drive to the other city, you would have more options on Doulas.  Maybe if you stayed where you are and just needed one for birth, you could maybe convince a Doula to drive to you.  I really think that every mama needs a Doula, especially a hospital birth, especially a VBAC, and especially a mama without her DH there.  Since you have all those, I really can't stress enough how much you need one.  I'd drive 2 hours out of my way for you in your situation.  I totally would. 

I'd ask about her lowering her fees or making a payment plan with a signed contract.  Maybe barter?  Do you have any skills that she could use?  I'd also contact DONA intl and see if there have been any Doula who are new and just not listed on the website yet in your area?  They won't be as skilled, but it at least it's better than nothing.  I'd really tell the Doula your sit. and really see if she will work with you, I'm a Doula, and I know that I would, especially in your circumstance.  Maybe ask the ICAN chapter(s) if they know any Doulas who work with limited budgets. 

Really, best wishes to you.  If you want, I'd be willing to help you put together a birth plan and lend long distance support to you.  My heart really does go out to you.  :)

[claudi81]

Originally Posted by AustinMom 

Have you called all the Doulas here?

http://www.dona.org/search/results.php?region=United+States+-+AL&doulas=birth&x=18&y=12

There are a couple in B'ham and Hunts.  I am with ICAN Austin, and we have a mom driving from Victoria to Austin for a VBAC, and her Doulas are in Austin as well.  So maybe if you did drive to the other city, you would have more options on Doulas.  Maybe if you stayed where you are and just needed one for birth, you could maybe convince a Doula to drive to you.  I really think that every mama needs a Doula, especially a hospital birth, especially a VBAC, and especially a mama without her DH there.  Since you have all those, I really can't stress enough how much you need one.  I'd drive 2 hours out of my way for you in your situation.  I totally would. 

I'd ask about her lowering her fees or making a payment plan with a signed contract.  Maybe barter?  Do you have any skills that she could use?  I'd also contact DONA intl and see if there have been any Doula who are new and just not listed on the website yet in your area?  They won't be as skilled, but it at least it's better than nothing.  I'd really tell the Doula your sit. and really see if she will work with you, I'm a Doula, and I know that I would, especially in your circumstance.  Maybe ask the ICAN chapter(s) if they know any Doulas who work with limited budgets. 

Really, best wishes to you.  If you want, I'd be willing to help you put together a birth plan and lend long distance support to you.  My heart really does go out to you.  :)

Aww thank you so much, I just had tears in my eyes from all the help and support I am getting :) I really would love to have somebody there with me, we will  not make friends that we know well enough to trust them with watching our small children, I am sure they will not be fine...I am fine with not having my husband in the room with me for as long as I am in the first two stages of labor...when the baby is being born it will be a different situation I hope all will go smoothly and maybe they can be in a room close by with a nurse looking after them or so...I will ask her if she could lower her price..and pray that she would otherwise I would even have a hard time convincing my husband to hire a doula, he is under so much pressure to keep us all well and financially stable....I would love some help with a birth plan, that would be great :) 

As far as travelling goes I do not even know the area and with the litle time I got before due I rather have someone close by ...I contacted both doulas in huntsville one did not reply the other one seems really nice but has to go down in price...I keep you updated...

 

[crystal_buffaloe]

I just wanted to wish you good luck! I'm hoping moving, and finding a doctor and a doula, and having this baby all goes smoothly!