OB recommendations

[Anonymous]

I'm in the very fortunate position of switching from my RE to an OB, and I'm hoping for some input. My RE gave me these names: Alan Birnkrant; Janet Schaffel; Russel Bridges. Does anyone have experience with these OBs? Any of them particularly receptive to extra questions/worries/emails? I'm coming off a long TTC process with multiple IVF attempts, so entering this phase gingerly. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Schaffel is great! Doesn't accept insurance though.

[Anonymous]

I have worked with Alan Birnkrant before and wasn't happy. Was a patient of his partner Dr. Bonn for Gyn needs. Was going through a miscarraige and had to deal with Birnkrant and he was the least compassionate person I had ever worked with. Granted it was an emotional time but wasn't happy.

I have been very happy with Dr. Malcom DeSouza. Has seen me through two pregnancies and was wonderful with my many, many questions and concerns after coming from an RE with our first DD. Plus he does sonos at every visit so it was reasuring.

[Anonymous]

I think De Souza is very condescending. Would not recommend.

[Anonymous]

Poster 10:29 here. I'm surprised to hear that about DeSouza.

He was always pretty calming, easy going etc with me. He was open to what I wanted through the whole process. Doula, okay. Natural birth, okay. Want a c-section with second birth, okay. Taking my freaked out calls on the weekend during my first pregnancy...okay. In fact that's what made me love him...he always answered his cell. If he was away, his partner answered.

Everyone has different experiences I guess.

[Anonymous]

I'm really shocked to hear that about DeSouza as well. I am 17 weeks and switched to him as soon as I found out I was pregnant since I was not happy at Reiter Hill. He is smart, friendly and very very patient centered. Like the previous person said he always answers his phone personally, which is unheard of for most doctors. Before my first appointment he called me directly to ask if I had any preliminary questions before my appointment and we chatted for 20 minutes. At my msot recent appointment I ended up running into him in the lobby of the building on the way up to his office and he recognized me and remembered exactly how many weeks I was. Living in DC with so many big practice groups where you are anonymous, I have found his approach surprising and refreshing.

I will give you this - his demeanor is slightly strange. Its hard to explain until you meet him, but maybe some people are put off by that a little bit...?

I would highly recommend.

[Anonymous]

Loved many things about Dr. Bridges -- he's a very experienced and competent doctor -- but he is definitely not a "hand holder." He is very matter-of-fact and not one to sit and chat, but he will take good care of you medically. He only delivers at Sibley, though, so that may also be something to consider.

[Anonymous]

I really like Bridges. I also like that his front desk folks are nurses as well, so when you call with a medical question, you get an answer right away.

[Anonymous]

Love love love Dr. Schaffel! She and Dr. Sanders (the other doc in her practice) are fabulous! They don't take insurance though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have worked with Alan Birnkrant before and wasn't happy. Was a patient of his partner Dr. Bonn for Gyn needs. Was going through a miscarraige and had to deal with Birnkrant and he was the least compassionate person I had ever worked with. Granted it was an emotional time but wasn't happy.

I have been very happy with Dr. Malcom DeSouza. Has seen me through two pregnancies and was wonderful with my many, many questions and concerns after coming from an RE with our first DD. Plus he does sonos at every visit so it was reasuring.

I saw Birnkrant in the beginning of my pregnancy when dealing with a threatened miscarriage and I was also shocked by how noncompassionate he was. Plus dealing with the office and insurance was a clusterfuck and they were always confusing me with another patient with a similar name.

[OBnurse]

Anonymous wrote:I'm in the very fortunate position of switching from my RE to an OB, and I'm hoping for some input. My RE gave me these names: Alan Birnkrant; Janet Schaffel; Russel Bridges. Does anyone have experience with these OBs? Any of them particularly receptive to extra questions/worries/emails? I'm coming off a long TTC process with multiple IVF attempts, so entering this phase gingerly. Thanks.

As a Labor and Delivery Nurse who has worked with the OB's you've mentioned, and most others in the DC area at regional centers, I have advice. Key to my guidance, though, is some more background about your pregnancy. All OBs are not as skilled in dealing with variant needs. I wouldn't refer you any of those practitioners if you are high risk, as they wont be able to care for any pre-term complications. You mentioned your TTC process, and your success with IVF. Congratulations, by the way! How many weeks are you? If you'd like more guidance, please feel free to continue to use this forum string, PM, or email me directly at [e-mail].

Your friend, and Nurse.

[Anonymous]

I am totally shocked to read about Birnkrant! I am on my second pregnancy with him and LOVE him! Like most solos, he doesn't take insurance. But his insurance person is awesome and submits and argues and does everything for you to get you reimbursed.

Funny in reading about DeSouza - I would explain Birnkrant the same way. A little odd, not super warm and fuzzy, which might be a turn off at first (i.e. - he doesn't usually get my sarcastic comments). But he is an awesome doctor - I had a threatened miscarriage in my first pregnancy and he was great, seeing me weekly and giving me weekly ultrasounds until we were out of the woods. He also suggested progesterone supplementation, which not all OBs would consider. I also had quite a few post-partum issues and had to see him several time before the standard 6 week PP follow-up visit. I was never charged for any of these. The difference between seeing a solo and a huge factory practice are obvious and covered extensively elsewhere so I won't go into the general advantage of that.

I'm not sure why the nurse on here would say that these docs wouldn't be able to care for pre-term complications. Birnkrant has priveleges at both GW and Sibley and allows you to choose where to deliver so if you had major pre-term issues, you would obviously go to GW and be cared for there.

[OBnurse]

Anonymous wrote:I am totally shocked to read about Birnkrant! I am on my second pregnancy with him and LOVE him! Like most solos, he doesn't take insurance. But his insurance person is awesome and submits and argues and does everything for you to get you reimbursed.

Funny in reading about DeSouza - I would explain Birnkrant the same way. A little odd, not super warm and fuzzy, which might be a turn off at first (i.e. - he doesn't usually get my sarcastic comments). But he is an awesome doctor - I had a threatened miscarriage in my first pregnancy and he was great, seeing me weekly and giving me weekly ultrasounds until we were out of the woods. He also suggested progesterone supplementation, which not all OBs would consider. I also had quite a few post-partum issues and had to see him several time before the standard 6 week PP follow-up visit. I was never charged for any of these. The difference between seeing a solo and a huge factory practice are obvious and covered extensively elsewhere so I won't go into the general advantage of that.

I'm not sure why the nurse on here would say that these docs wouldn't be able to care for pre-term complications. Birnkrant has priveleges at both GW and Sibley and allows you to choose where to deliver so if you had major pre-term issues, you would obviously go to GW and be cared for there.

I have to admit, I didn't realize Birnkrant had privleges at GW. That certainly accentuates his potential! The birthing center there is inspiring. The main OB unit is a teaching environment, though. While many people enjoy the care of resident physicians, it can be less satisfying for some. While Sibley is not a teaching hospital, they have limited resources for anything other than low risk care. IVF doesn't always transition to high-risk factors, and early pregnancy has lots of good indicators for what may come.

How has it been going so far, post initiator?

[Anonymous]

PP here. Yes, I delivered with Birnkrant at GW. I didn't have any residents involved in my care, other than an assist on the epidural, until after the birth of my child when they would come around on rounds and ask follow up questions. You can also always decline. A lot of times the residents are more versed on updated medical information that doctors who graduated 25 years ago so I enjoy working with them.

As a fellow professional, it worries me that you would give out specific advice/information on a public forum about specific doctors when, as you've admitted, you are not necessarily armed with complete information.

[Anonymous]

Dr. Anjali Martinez at GW MFA is great. I had a hard time conceiving (didn't go through IVF, but did take Gonal-F shots)---Dr. Martinez will answer all your questions, is very knowledgeable, and is super warm/friendly.