Looking for doc in SLC area

[charityj]

I'm in SLC, trying to conceive my second (may already have succeeded...just waiting out the luteal phase now). I thought I had a great family practice doctor for all of us, but he's been giving some inaccurate breastfeeding advice to people I know, and I would like someone more knowledgeable about BF before I give birth. I had problems with BF my first, but got through them with the help of some great docs and LCs in CA. Now I need someone great here in SLC. I would be fine with a great pediatrician, would prefer a great family practice doc (I like one-stop shopping).

Also, I'm planning to give birth at home with a midwife (so would love some CPM recs), but need some monitoring for thyroid issues by an MD/DO. Anyone have someone they'd recommend for just following me through pregnancy for only the labs and meds part? Internist, family practice, endocrinologist preferred. I'd consider OB/GYN, but I'd prefer not to go that direction.

[JMJ]

For breast feeding, nobody knows their stuff better than the La Leche League. They can help you with everything from preparation to dealing with problems, etc. A lot of physicians and midwives will recommend that you get in contact with them because breast feeding is really all they focus on, and they know a lot more about it than a lot of physicians. The salt lake group can be contacted at breastfeedingslc@gmail.com.

As to home birth midwives, I've been pretty happy with Chris Miller and Melissa Mayo at Full Circle Care downtown so far. I'm only 11 1/2 wks along, though, so I don't have much to base that on yet. They did meet with me and my husband for something like an hour and a half just to see if we clicked before I committed to going with them. Then, they were cool with me calling late on a Sunday night, freaking out because I was spotting, also before I committed to going with them. They both have a quite impressive amount of experience, including dealing with some of the more tricky situations.

As far as medical care is concerned, I can't help you. I can't think of any MD's, PA's or NP's that I have ever visited that I can say I would really trust. Considering I'm pregnant, I'll need to change that because I need to trust my child's pediatrician. So, I'd like to add my own question to the discussion. Does anybody know any great pediatricians who believe strongly in the ability of parents to take the information they are given and make good decisions for their children, even if that means home birth, no or selected vaccines, fewer antibiotics, more natural treatments, etc? In addition, I would want a pediatrician who is personable and fun to be around and strongly pro-life.

[kitkat5505]

I also need a pediatrician. We have a family doc, but not really attached to him.

For a homebirth midwife you can check out Rebecca Williams (www.greatexpectationsbc.com). She does home births as well as just opened up a birth suite. I just switched to her and she has been wonderful.

[Contrariety]

I also need a pediatrician. We have a family doc, but not really attached to him.

For a homebirth midwife you can check out Rebecca Williams (www.greatexpectationsbc.com). She does home births as well as just opened up a birth suite. I just switched to her and she has been wonderful.

:notes: Ooo! Looks nice. DH and I are considering another, and If we do I'm homebirth all the day. I like the looks, here!

[charityj]

Funny you mention LLL, JMJ...I'm actually very active in the SLC group. I love LLL, but my worry is that, if I have a doc who's not supportive of and knowledgeable about BF, I'll end up with a difficult situation if new baby and/or I have problems. My daughter was born in the hospital after a homebirth transfer, and while I'm committed to birthing my next child at home, I recognize that there are a lot of things out of my control. I really fear a situation in which an unsupportive doc doesn't let us leave the hospital without giving baby formula or something. Before my first birth, it didn't matter to me what my docs thought, I figured I'd just fight them every step of the way. Then I figured out I'm more a lover than a fighter when I'm pregnant, birthing, and postpartum, and I want to head off any potential fights before we even get to them.

A friend recommended pediatrician Sarah Johnson...does anyone have experience with her?

[JMJ]

Good for you, charityj, for having the courage to give home birth another try after having to transfer the first time, and I can understand your concern. My midwives said that their preference if I have to transfer would be for me to go to the University Hospital. They said that I could be transferred directly into CNM care there, using an OBGYN only if necessary, and they could still be a coach and an advocate for me.

I also have a friend who is a nurse there and says that they have been making amazing strides to get a nursing friendly certification, not giving parents formula, getting rid of all education materials, etc that are sponsored by formula companies, providing for better mother-baby-togetherness, building new birth suites, etc. Some of these changes are complete, and some, such as the birth suites, aren't done yet, but if you're barely pregnant, they'll probably be done by the time you give birth. I don't know specific practitioners, but I do know that changes like that don't happen unless somebody there really believes in it.

[Mommy2Liz]

I don't have any personal experience with him, but I have seen Dr. Louis Borgenicht (850 East 300 South Suite 5) mentioned on here several times as being a good pediatrician who is educated about vaccinations, circumcision, BF supportive, etc.

My sister lives in SL and is TTC. She will be looking into Dr. Borgenicht when the time comes.

HTH!

[charityj]

Apparently Louis Borgenicht is in practice with Sarah Johnson. I suppose that may be a positive sign for the whole practice.

[delfuego]

We just switched our DS's pediatrician to Dr. Borgenicht and really like him. The practice is small and very personal. I would definitely recommend them!

[charityj]

I've not met Louis Borgenicht, but I interviewed Sara Johnson who also works in their office. Not sure if other people are as turned off about this as I am, but they had a basket full of free formula samples in their waiting room. That to me doesn't say BF-friendly (at least not BF-friendly enough for my tastes).

Has anyone worked with Matthew and Rachel Burnett? They're naturopaths in downtown SLC. I just found out that NDs can prescribe in Utah, so they're now on my list of people to consider for PCPs, but I'm looking for personal recommendations.

[tappinerp]

We go to Dr Lou. I will not take ds to Sarah Johnson. We made that mistake- once. I think she is a decent doc- but she told us that she wasn't as "loosey goosey" as Dr Lou is about vaccinations...Totally turned us off to her.

Dr Lou has been very supportive of our extended breastfeeding- He has been amazingly supportive of parental decisions.

[bmhpke96]

I'm sorry to hear that about Sarah Johnson. I like our ped just fine - Dr. Hurley. We switched to him after Heather Winsett recommended him when she was leaving. He is fine with no vaxing, so that is what I was most interested in.

[LizzyQ]

I take my DS to Dr. Suzanne Holbrook at Alpine Medical Group. I really like her.. she has never pushed us to do vax, she is very BF friendly (she BF all her kids), and she is also un-circ friendly and vegetarian friendly (if that is a concern of yours).

Dr. Lam in her office is also all those things, from what I hear.

[moonygoony]

I agree with everyone above the Dr. Louis Borgenicht is the best. I also had a hard time with Dr. Johnson though. When my son had pneumonia and was at primary children's she was on call. He was sweaty from us snuggling in the hospital bed (he had a fever as well) and she freaked out saying he should be tested for cystic fibrosis (there were no other indications). The other time we had to see her she was also very quick with a prescription pad. However, Dr. Lou really helped when my son was having severe insomnia and has always been very respectful with what we (my husband and I) decide to do when it comes to our boys' healthcare.

I also love Melissa and Chris for midwives. I have chosen to apprentice with them because of how amazing and experienced they are. Melissa was my midwife for my first homebirth and now that I am pregnant again, I will now see both of them (yay!)

As for lab work during pregnancy, Chris and Melissa share their Salt Lake office with a really good naturopath, Leslie Peterson. Other moms who see us often go to her as well for things like thyroid issues or hormonal balancing. She is excellent with both.