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Expectant and Postpartum Moms
Experiences with Reiter & Hill
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Anonymous
| I second the poster who said this practice is not especially encouraging to those who have strong views on the birth process. Heck, I would go as far as to say [/i]any[i] views/opinions. I found the overwhelming attitude at Reiter and Hill to be akin to "shut up and do what we tell you." I received an extremely cool reception from a number of doctors (notably, Nevin and Loveland) when I tried to bring up a birth plan. I also happened to see Dr. Nevin two days before my due date after just having had a sonogram indicating that I was carrying a 9 1/2+ lb. baby, and she really scared my husband and I by telling us all the awful things that can happen when trying to deliver a large baby. We didn't even feel like we could reasonably attempt induction after our conversation with her, and opted for the scheduled C-section, which I now regret. So I would just advise that you raise any concerns/questions you have as early in the prenatal appointments as possible, and determine how you feel about the answers you receive - and if you're not happy, switch! I wish I had. |
Anonymous
| If you are looking for a more personal experience and a close relationship with your OB you may want to call Drs. Sanders and Schaffel who are in the same building at RH. They do not accept any insurance plans however so if that is a concern for you they may not be the right choice but they give amazing care and are very dedicated to their patients as they keep their practice small. |
Anonymous
I just wanted to respond to this, as I am a big fan of Dr. Loveland... and also a big fan of doctors who take my concerns/questions/wishes seriously. I HATE doctors who have a "shut up and do what we tell you" approach, and I tend to be suspicious of lots of medical intervention. However, at least in my experience, I can see why the quoted poster may have gotten this response about a birth plan... but I'm not sure I think its for the reasons she thinks. One of the things I like best about Dr. Loveland, is I think she acts like a professional, and has a good bedside manner. She absolutely does not mince words. She's busy, and doesn't have time to have a 30 minute long discussion about the ins and outs of your labor expectations, especially if she feels the conversation is a waste (or more likely premature) because you never know what will happen. That said, I think she would spend 2 hours with your if she felt there was something unique to your situation that required a 2-hour long discussion. If she thinks Option A is best for you, she'll tell you. And she'll tell you why. I think some doctors (perhaps most of them at R&H?), are reluctant to delve into serious "birth plan" discussions... not because they don't want to be receptive to a patient's wishes... but because they're busy, and because they know from experience that the best laid plans go to waste. In addition, I think there is some sense (right or wrong) among the OB community that birth plans in general give mothers a false expectation that they can "control" their labor and delivery. Perhaps I should expect "more" from my OB, but as a busy professional myself, I appreciate people who are direct and use their judgment. I also expect them to answer my questions thoughtfully. But... at the end of the day, you're paying someone for them to use their medical judgment. (I can't believe I'm writing this, as usually I'm on the other side of this conversation). Dr. Loveland will tell you what her recommendation is. She'll tell you why. But if you decide to do something else, I don't think she's going to fight with you about it... but be prepared for, "I wouldn't recommend it." I don't know... perhaps its the whole "birth plan" thing. I don't begrudge mothers who want to develop one... but I also am not sure I understand mothers who want to cover it in detail with their OB's ahead of time. I mean, I think its fine to say "I want a natural birth... how do you feel about that?" Or, "What percentage of mothers who attempt natural birth with you are successful?" Or any other question under the sun that can help you make an informed decision. But dictating step by step what you want to have happen seems like micromanaging to me. You don't know what set of circumstances are going to present themselves... so instead of writing a big plan that says "I don't want my water broken", why not just know that in your heart and see if anyone even suggests it? If they do, then say, "no thanks". |
Anonymous
| What an utterly ignorant PP. |
Anonymous
Care to elaborate why you think I'm so ignorant? Or would you prefer to just sling insults? |
Anonymous
|
Funny- for the same reasons that 8:04 loves the practice, I hated it. I always felt rushed and that the docs had no time to respond to my questions. Once I asked Dr. Loveland about the practice's stance on episiotemies. She said, "If you need one, you get one". Then in a flash she was gone. I suppose 8:04 would have appreciated her concise/ terse response but I was less than enchanted. I received professional and adequate medical care from the practice. That said, I would have never considered returning for my second pregnancy. I now go to a sole practioner who I would expect to be equally as busy if not more so than the docs at R & H. However, he has always solicted my questions and took the time to answer them. He has never been flip with me as Dr. Loveland was. He explains his beliefs and practices on issues and fields my follow-up questions.
My one piece of advice is if you are not fully satisfied with R & H for whatever reason, know that there are other practices and practioners out there who will treat you differently: who will remember your name and concerns and give you their professional respect to listen and respond to your concerns. |
Anonymous
|
OP here. Thanks everyone for all your inputs. I think that after reading all this and going over what WE want with my husband I am going to leave R&H and try something different. Can anyone recommend a small practice in downtown DC?
thank you again! |
Anonymous
I'm not the one who wrote this, but your post sounds an awful lot like "Shut up and do what they say." |
Anonymous
Gosh, I went out of my way to avoid saying that, as its not what I think (and frankly its not what I said). I guess I think there needs to be a balance. I see women who do no research, blindly follow doctor's orders, and are unprepared and uneducated about issues affecting their health. I also see women who read every article they can get their hands on, then march into their doctor's office and want to dictate their own care. When the doctor pushes back, or is "unreceptive" to this approach, they're labeled as uncaring. I can tell you, as a lawyer, I often have clients who have good ideas about their cases, and I try to listen to them... but if one marched into my office with a detailed "case plan" they wanted followed, I'd send them packing. And litigation is probably more predictable than childbirth! |
Anonymous
| As a lawyer myself, I want to be treated by my healthcare professionals the way we treat our clients: with respect and with sufficient information so that I can make informed decisions about what is right for me. I didn't get such treatment when I was at R&H which is why we left very early on. We now go to a midwifery practice where we are never rushed or teased for asking questions and wanting to know why this or that is done. To each her own, I suppose. |
Anonymous
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I am currently with RH and am due in December. I have contemplated switching because I have not seen many doctors there, aside from a NP and McKanders, who I will agree is NOT the best option. I did not care for Dr. McCanders (McKanders?) at all...not only was she inexperienced, but she did not seem interested in the questions I had, and was very rushed to answer them and kept cutting me off. I found her egocentric and brusque...a bad combo with someone who is inexperienced. I am going to wait to see how my next two appointments go with Dr. Abraham and Dr. Muangman before I made a decision to leave.
I've heard amazing things about Foxhall OBGYN. Two friends have gone there and have raved about their OB experiences. |
Anonymous
|
"Once I asked Dr. Loveland about the practice's stance on episiotemies. She said, "If you need one, you get one". "
This is a really rude comment and shows no respect for one of the driving ethical rules in medicine..informed consent. Doctors are bound to properly inform their patients and obtain consent not just do whatever because you walked into their office. I would run not walk from this practice. |
Anonymous
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"However, at least in my experience, I can see why the quoted poster may have gotten this response about a birth plan... but I'm not sure I think its for the reasons she thinks."
I am the quoted poster, and just for the record, I did not approach Dr. Nevin or Dr. Loveland with a long, demanding "birth plan." I simply raised the question of whether or not the practice uses/encourages them (in retrospect, silly me!). I had found a birth plan guide on-line and it had prompted me to think about many questions about delivery I had not thought of before, so I asked Dr. Nevin if I should fill out and bring that in as a starting point. That's when she told me how useless birth plans are. Then when I tried to ask some of the questions I had about R&H's general delivery practices (yes, inspired by the questions raised in the on-line birth plan), she wasn't open to discussing them, I guess because she thought I was trying to dictate the birth? And I guess my 5 minutes were up - in no way was I trying to have a 2 hour conversation. Anyways, I really did feel like she was telling me to shut up, and we'll tell you what to do during delivery, don't bother trying to learn more about it. My next appointment was with Dr. Loveland, and she read Dr. Nevin's notes, and commented (without my raising the issue of a birth plan again) "I see you discussed a birth plan with Dr. Nevin last time, and she provided you with a reality check. You know it will hurt, right?" I felt like I was being made fun of, and frankly, I was fighting back tears the rest of the appointment. Maybe this is her being "direct" or funny, and call me sensitive, but it hurt to have her insinuate I was so naive that I thought labor wouldn't hurt (or that by raising the idea of a birth plan, I was one of those moms who would accept no medical intervention or thought birth was a walk in the park). Needless to say, I didn't feel like I could ask many questions after this, lest I be made fun of again. I had heard good things about Dr. Loveland prior to this, but this exchange did not endear me to her. Maybe she was having a bad day, but I don't think OBs realize sometimes how a small interaction can have a lasting effect, especially on first time moms. There is a difference between direct and condescending and R&H fall on the wrong side of that line way too often, IMHO. |
Anonymous
|
TO the OP who asked about smaller practices in downtown, I switched from RH and am with Russell Bridges, a solo practitioner who delivers about 80% of his babes. I am due with #2 and have been really happy thus far with my care. He seems to know all his patients by name and spends a ton of time with me. His practice is in 2440 M St , NW.
Good luck! |
Anonymous
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To 22:02- That really sounds awful, and I was in your boat once with Dr. Reiter, where his terse comments and obvious annoyance with me had me fighting back tears.
However there are doctors there who are warm and answer your questions without being condescending. The ones like that who I've seen are Dr. Hill and Dr. Muangman. |