Why Dr. Newman is great

[Anonymous]

OP again -- PP, thank you for your concern. Given what I went through, my friends and family and I have all been watching for PPD (and will continue to watch for it), but right now I think I'm OK. The reason I'm telling other people about my experience is that I want others to learn from my experience.

[Anonymous]

While I may not necessarily agree with the OPs comments, I don't think she made any of them because she had or has postpartum blues/depression and to suggest that might be the case is more than a little off and a little offensive to me.

She thinks what she thinks about Dr. Newman and as she said, just wanted to share a different opinion on this board. I say good for her and if you disagree, that's fine but don't go saying that she has this opinion of Dr. N because of postpartum!

Speaking from one who had really horrible postpartum and who happens to like and trust a doc many others do not.

[Anonymous]

Second poster again. OP, thanks for posting your story even you though you probably knew you would get an unnecessarily harsh reaction. As someone who has struggled with my experiences with the 2141 K street doctors, I appreciate hearing your experience. It is because people were honest on this board that I ultimately decided to listen to my gut and find another OB despite being near the end of my pregnancy.

Best wishes to you in a swift physical and emotional recovery.

[Anonymous]

OP here (for the last time, I promise!):

OP, thanks for posting your story even you though you probably knew you would get an unnecessarily harsh reaction.

You're welcome. And thanks for standing up for me, but I'm used to unnecessarily harsh reactions on these forums: I'm also the OP from "Sibley -- what I wish I knew beforehand" on the old board.

[Anonymous]

OP: What would you like to have seen done differently during your labor and delivery? What would have made your experience better?

[Anonymous]

OP here:

First, and foremost, I would've stood up for myself. I would've talked to my doctors and told them when their office staff messed up. I would've asked many more questions of my doctors, to see *why* they were doing what they were doing, and to question things that didn't feel right.

I also would've done more research to know the right questions to ask (especially about C-sections). That's why sites like DCUM are so helpful -- they expose you to information to which you otherwise wouldn't have access. The childbirth books are good, but only up to a point. I think the best way of getting info is talking to other people about their experiences.

At the hospital, I would've brought a doula or a midwife with me -- someone who's familiar with labor and childbirth to advocate on my behalf. After labor, even though I was stuck in a shared room, I would've had someone with me 24 hours a day to make sure that both me and baby were getting the care we deserved.

Hope that helps...

[Anonymous]

I'm very excited to add to this topic as Dr. Newman is my hero! I have a complicated medical history but had a fantastic and easy pregnancy thanks to Dr. Newman! First, he recommended a fantastic fertility specialist to help us get pregnant (fortunately, only minor drugs needed and no other assistance) and he was truly delighted when I came to see him for my first prenatal check up. He made sure I saw him frequently, sent me to high-risk specialist for a consult, and always made time to talk about concerns at each visit. He was thrilled that I was having such an easy pregnancy--until my 36th week. I went to see him for my regular checkup and he was very concerned about my health and sent me immediately to Sibley for further testing and bed rest due to pre-eclampsia. He checked in with my each day via Dr. Picco and Dr. Bajaj and also called my hospital room daily to tell me what was going on. He also sent other specialists in to see me to ensure that both myself and the baby were fine. After 4 days at Sibley, he let me go home on bed rest as my condition wasn't changing. He remained concerned and felt that we should do a scheduled c-section once the baby reached 37 weeks in order to improve my health. He felt that the c-section would be the least stressful on my body and I fully agreed with his assessment. At my next office checkup a few days later, he was shocked to discover that I was already fully effaced and 2 cm dilated! Instead, I would not need the c-section but would have a very easy vaginal delivery. He called Sibley and worked diligently to get us on the schedule for an induction later that week.

Thanks to Dr. Newman, I had a fabulously healthy baby at almost 38 weeks with a very short and easy labor! At one point during delivery, contractions starting happening too quickly and he called for the vacuum--however, having a doctor with Newman's experience was incredible as he also allowed a few moments to see if everything went back to normal as it did. No vacuum needed! He called when I got home from the hospital to see how everything was going and told me to call if I had any questions. Thanks to him, my baby is fantastic, I'm ok and did not need surgery--though I would have gladly taken his professional advice.

I do recognize that there are downsides to the practice, however. Aside from Newman's former nurse, Charmaine, I had no strong positive experience with any of the nurses. Some were better than others but all seemed to be going through the motions. The lab techs and front office staff are also fine, but frequently disorganized. Honestly, I haven't found a doctor's office in DC that doesn't have some element of disorganization and unfriendly front office staff.

Here are my suggestions to have the best possible experience:

Assume that all tests are fine unless you hear from the office OR ask to be called with all test results

Ask for Dr. Newman's email address so you can email him questions

Always, always have a list of questions prepared to ask him during your visit

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous]OP here:

First, and foremost, I would've stood up for myself. I would've talked to my doctors and told them when their office staff messed up. I would've asked many more questions of my doctors, to see *why* they were doing what they were doing, and to question things that didn't feel right.

I also would've done more research to know the right questions to ask (especially about C-sections). That's why sites like DCUM are so helpful -- they expose you to information to which you otherwise wouldn't have access. The childbirth books are good, but only up to a point. I think the best way of getting info is talking to other people about their experiences.

At the hospital, I would've brought a doula or a midwife with me -- someone who's familiar with labor and childbirth to advocate on my behalf. After labor, even though I was stuck in a shared room, I would've had someone with me 24 hours a day to make sure that both me and baby were getting the care we deserved.

Hope that helps...
[/quote]

This is the best response I have ever seen on DCUM. I am sorry for what happened to you.

[Anonymous]

OP here-

This is the best response I have ever seen on DCUM. I am sorry for what happened to you.

Thank you so much -- I'm very touched and honored by your post.

[Anonymous]

pp1600. You are ridiculus. There is only a few reasons why someone should not try to have a vaginal delivery unless you had a prior 4th degree tear, a cardiac defect, a bladder problem or perhaps a collagen disorder there is no reason why you can not have an attempt at a vaginal delivery. A large baby greater than 4500 grams with diabetes may also be another reason buty even that is debated. So make sure what load you were given is actually correct and not someone to make it all better by throwing the other doctor under the bus!~

[Anonymous]

to pp1127. Hibshman is wonderful and I thought this soma pp had already complained about this same thing. You bring up Hibshman in a negative way, you will probably hear a lot of people moaning that she left DC. I know her. I know she knows this person is writing about her. She also knows Newman was taking good care of you. Hibshman loves Newman and knows that he cares for his patients. She feels bad for your experience, but she couldn't change the events. I suggest you call her and talk to her because she is sad that you are at all upset. She gave me no details or your name or why she left except that she was sorry to hear someone was upset. maybe you might actually appreciate someone elses position than your own. I have always found hibshman hard working and honest.

[Anonymous]

Yes, this poster has gone to extensive lengths to badmouth both Kristina Hibshman and Sibley Hospital. I have a feeling that nothing would have been good enough for her.

[Anonymous]

OP here --

I'm sorry you all feel bad for Dr. Hibshman and Sibley hospital. I respect your feelings, and I only ask that you respect mine.

To the PP who said that I was "ridiculus" and should not have had a vaginal delivery -- keep in mind you don't know me or my story (just what I've chose to share on this board). It's none of your business, but I will tell you that I did in fact have one of the complications you mentioned.

To the PP who said I should talk with Hibshman -- I might. But I want to go through my own process of healing and letting go of the anger before I do it so that the conversation can be more constructive. Posting to this website helps me get some of my feelings out, as well as informs others of my experience so they can learn from it. I've told nothing but the truth, and you can take from that what you will.

Dr. Hibshman did what she thought was best at the time, as did I. Now we're both having to live the consequences of our decisions. That's not to say I want her to hurt -- I don't. As I said earlier, I know she's kind and compassionate. What is bothering me is that she left and I never heard from her again.

[Anonymous]

I agree with pp 845. I am sorry that you can not move on. I hope that you one day do. Hibshman would sit down with you and probably help you alot, angry or not. I agree with the posting you should talk to her. She is not my doc, but I have met with her as a consult and she explained to me in great detail why my doctor was doing what he was doing and why that doctor needs to do it. It made sense and I eventually had it done and am very glad that I did. I am not sure if I would have actually done it without her education on the matter, it also made me feel better about my doctor, which was Newman. I love Newman, who is still my doctor. Anyways, I thought I would put my 2 cents in for both of those docs.

[Anonymous]

OP here:

I am sorry that you can not move on.

To 15:40PP - I feel your post is quite condescending, even though that's probably not what you intended. I've been telling myself to just forget this thread and that I shouldn't have to explain myself to anyone, but somehow, that's not working.

The reason I cannot move on (at least for right now) is that last week, I was diagnosed with an injury from laboring and I've been told that I cannot pick up my baby for the next several weeks.

If you can, try to imagine what that's like. I don't say this so that anyone will feel sorry for me, but just to understand where I'm coming from. I started this thread to tell everyone of a positive experience with Dr. Newman, and it morphed into something where I'm feeling attacked.

Please -- I'd like to just end the thread at this point. I realize that might not be OK with everyone, but I ask that you respect my wishes.