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Experiences with Reiter & Hill
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Anonymous
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To 22:02 - that really sucks. I was basically going to ask the same question. I don't know much about birth plans, so was going to approach it the same way after seeing something online about birthplans (I'm also with R&H and due in Nov).
Hmm, one thing is for sure, I'll know now whom not to ask. However, that is not how it should be, as a first time mom you should be able to ask questions about things you don't know. Of course wherever you go, be it sales people, co-workers, lawyers, there are some that you will feel more comfortable with than with others. Of course we're talking about childbirth here, so maybe doctors forget once in a while how much trust we have to lay in them. Not to make excuses, but back in my pre-med days in college, I was frustrated with how the system rewards perfect grades but doesn't give a hoot about social skills, empathy and the like (not saying that one should exclude the other, I think both go hand in hand). And today's physicians are the result of this system. Anyway, that's going on a tangent... |
Anonymous
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I'm probably covering ground that's been discussed above, but FWIW I had a terrific experience with Reiter & Hill and will be staying with them for pregnancy #2.
I rotated through the practice and met all of the delivery doctors. Some I liked more, some I liked less, but I never met anyone I would have been upset to see on delivery day. Most of my visits were to the Falls Church office, which was wonderful. It seems to run on time (more so than any other doctors office I've been to) and everyone was pleasant and professional. A few times I had to go to the DC office, and that was a pretty different experience. I found the DC office environment to be way more stressful -- crowded, busy, rushed vibe. I probably would have been less happy had I spent more time in that office . . . . In terms of doctors, my absolute favorite Dr. Osmun (loooove his beside manner), and Dr. Nevin was the doctor at Sibley the day I was in labor and so she delivered DD. While she never appeared particularly warm during my office visits, she was FANTASTIC during labor and delivery. I found her to be encouraging and relaxed. She never rushed me (3 hours of pushing) and never pressured me for interventions. I'm so happy with how everything turned out. That said, my sense is that Reiter & Hill is not for everyone. If you're the type of person who has a specific birth plan in mind and wants to pick the doctor who will deliver your baby, that's fine but you should probably find a different practice. If you tend to be more "go with the flow" and your only plan is to make sound choices in the moment as things come up, you'll be just fine. That was my approach. I educated myself quite a bit beforehand, hired a fabulous doula (who Dr. Nevin welcomed during delivery), and trusted the expertise of the R&H doctors. I intentionally did not check the call schedule in the weeks around my due date -- I truly wanted to be surprised rather than get attached to any particular doctor. Right fit for me. Not necessarily the right fit for everyone. BTW, in the final weeks the doctors encouraged me to schedule an induction date for 10-14 days after my due date, just in case. There was no pressure to induce earlier, which I appreciated very much! |
Anonymous
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I used Reiter & Hill for the birth of my first child in 07. I saw many of the doctors for my pre-natal checkups (Hill, Nevin, Loveland, Muangman). The checkups were fine, but getting any test results back was a giant pain in the ass. With an office that size, inevitably I fell through the cracks. McPherson was on call when I came in to Sibley in labor at 3am, and was literally so unpleasant to me that I labored all through the rest of the night until Nevin came on duty so I wouldn't have to have McPherson check me again.
Nevin was a bit cold to my labor doula, but was very good about not pressuring me into birth decisions that I didn't want. One thing about Sibley though that I didn't know beforehand--when you go on the tour, they say that you're only tethered to the fetal monitor for 15 minutes per hour. This just wasn't true. They needed to get some sort of high and low readings from the monitor and kept insisting on keeping me tethered to it for 45 minutes at a time, which was a huge hurdle for me in trying to birth without medication. I ended up, after 24 hours of labor, with a c-section, because Nevin wouldn't let me labor past 24-hours as my water had broken 24 hours beforehand, and I had been stuck at 8cm for like 12 hours. My main complaint though with R&H was follow-up and post-partum care. I contracted a toxic spore-forming intestinal bacteria from Sibley called C. Diff, and when I went into R&H post-partum with digestive complaints, I was routinely dismissed. I ended up calling Dr. Hill (the doctor on call) one Sunday a few weeks post-partum when I was in such excruciating pain that I couldn't even leave the bathroom (I had been calling during office hours, but no one ever returned my calls). He suggested immodium. I told him I was going to the emergency room, which I did, where I was very quickly diagnosed with C. Diff. But the fact that R&H didn't catch it at either of my post-partum visits, and also were horrible about returning my phone calls during hours, was really unacceptable. To put the icing on the cake, I moved far away, out of DC, 4 months after giving birth. When I went to my new OB she said, "Has anyone ever told you that you have 2 cervixes?" Two reproductive endocrinologists later, and it turns out I have an obstetrical injury. Dr. Nevin "oversewed" me during my c-section. Thankfully I can carry more children. Unfortunately, I can't VBAC thanks to the oversewing. If I had to do this again, I would definitely go to a smaller practice, where it would be easy to get in touch with a doctor for pre-natal questions, or post-partum care or emergencies. While I don't dislike Dr. Nevin, I think R&H as a practice, leaves a lot to be desired. Sadly, there aren't that many options in the district if you're not willing to go off your insurance. I wish I had gone off of my insurance. |
Anonymous
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I had a c-section in 2000. Normal pregnancy and no problem at all. I went in when I was 3 days past due and they rushed me to Sibley. The baby was in distress they said and I needed to have a surgery right away. They didn't even let me call home from their office. I arrived at Sibley around 12pm and my baby was born at 6pm. What was the rush? Even the nurses a Sibley kept asking me why I was having a C-section as all seemed fine. Dr. Reiter did the surgery and he came see us every day we stay at the hospital.
I always felt a bit robbed. C-section may have been a convenience thing for them or perhaps more money in their pocket. |
Anonymous
| I have heard a lot of complaints about Dr. McPherson. According to the website, she's no longer at RHJ. Just fyi... |
Anonymous
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My "shut up and do what we tell you" moment, which actually led to a move to Physicians & Midwives in Alexandria, was with Dr. Jackson. I asked about the likelyhood of having a natural childbirth, and she immediately became defensive and started talking about how the internet has made her job so much harder (um, never mentioned the internet, but was she seriously suggesting that educating myself about childbirth was off limits?!) and making other equally patronizing comments ("you may think you're Superwoman, but you're not").
On the other hand, if you aren't looking for a natural childbirth, R&H could be a great fit. I have a couple of friends who delivered with R&H and absolutely loved them -- they just happen to be the friends who are horrified that I'm trying to birth without an epidural. |
Anonymous
What do you mean by "very medical birth"? I am TTC and looking for a new doctor. Thinking about DeSouza but have not seen many comments on the Boards about him. |
Anonymous
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I am currently a patient at R&H after switching from GW MFA. Truthfully I haven't been impressed with either practice, but have to stick with one since I am now 8 months along and am pretty much trapped.
It sucks because, as a first time Mom, there just don't seem to be many options in the DC area. Every practice I've been to seems to be like an impersonal cattle call... And, I've discovered significant mistakes in my file, e.g., due date, etc., all of which impact screening test results, etc. No doctors seem to catch them. Both practices pretty much dismissed the "birth plan" idea....at first it upset me because they both made me feel naive, but it was Dr. Jackson at RH who explained that, while a good thing to have ... you really cannot have a "plan" per se, because you just never know what might happen. The Dr I saw at GW said the same thing. I guess it makes sense. So, that being said. I am going to labor reluctantly at Sibley with Reiter Hill with the attitude that I have my birthplan in the back of my head, and my husband is aware of it, so he can back me up. BUt....if the baby is in distress and emergency treatment is necessary, I will succumb. I just don't feel CONFIDENT with my doctors at Reiter Hill...maybe because I've seen a different one every time and have no personal connection/relationship with ANY of them. I find it hard to believe that my life and the life of my child are in their hands, when they don't even know my name! That being said -- how do other RH patients recommend getting over the impersonality hump...I want to build confidence in my last 1.5 months. |
Anonymous
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I'm sorry that you're having such a tough time PP.
If it makes you feel any better, R&H delivered both of my children, and I felt they were very good, and relatively personable. I had Dr. Abraham and Dr. Hill for child #1 (a very long and difficult labor, but ultimately successful!). Abraham is not warm and fuzzy, and I've heard some complaints about her, but I liked her. Hill really surprised me. I REALLY REALLY did not want a male doctor, but I thought he was great. VERY gentle, very skilled, and very personable. #2 was born with Dr. Loveland - who definitely has a bit of a direct approach. Personally, I LOVE that... and I found her funny, direct, and personable. But I know she really rubs some people the wrong way. If you're worried about being a pushover, she may be a bad choice -- not because she's a bully, but because she'll tell you what she thinks in very direct terms. I'm also direct, and no shrinking violet, so this never bothered me. She always answered my questions. I also really like Dr. Muangman. I think she's great. As for building confidence in your last 1.5 months -- I guess you could continue the recommended course of meeting with as many doctors as possible. (I did most, but avoided Reiter like the plague becuase he has a TERRIBLE reputation even among the committed R&H patients) Or, perhaps you want to try some of the doctors above, go back to them 2-3 times more (your visits will be frequent now), and pray you find one you like, and that the person is on call during your delivery? I don't know. It must be tough switching practices late in the pregnancy. Good luck to you. I hope everything goes smoothly. |
Anonymous
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I'm the PP who goes to DeSouza and made the comment about a "very medical birth". What I meant was that RH&J seems to love every intervention in the book, whether really warranted or not. If you're the nervous type and don't mind having your body filled with invasive procedures b/c it gives you a level of comfort, then I think they are the way to go.
When I was in labor, I didn't want to be internally monitored, didn't want to be catheterized, and wanted a hep lock and no constant IV so I could move around easier. When I asked Dr. Reiter (who unfortunately delivered me) why I needed all those things, he said that it was easier for HIM and the nurses to monitor me. F*(k that. It was a really annoying and horrible experience to have to ask the medical necessity of why they wanted something sticking out of every orifice (practically) and to find out it was for their convenience. By blood pressure actually went up from talking to him. That said, I can see people appreciating the extra interventions if you're nervous that something was going to go wrong. DeSouza is sort of the anti-Reiter in that he has a very gentle bedside manner but manages to be the doctor. He explains when something is necessary but admits when something is for convenience and gives me the options to not have them. I've been really impressed with him and his backup, Robert Footer (I hear Richard Footer, who is also an OB, has a pretty bad bedside manner). I especially appreciate the personal call-backs...from the nurses is everything is fine and from the docs if they are not. |
Anonymous
| I have been with Dr. Loveland for six years and LOVE her...never had a problem with the office or getting results or anything I needed. Needed two C's and they went great. Sibley, on the other hand... |
Anonymous
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I am a R&H patient, one a few people on earth who really likes Dr. Reiter (I am only seeing him now with ten weeks to go, have been his patient for nine years). But I do have some similar feelings as a first time mom. I think the practice can feel like an assembly line and that's why I am only seeing him--he knows my name, my history and I feel he is a very knowledgeable doctor. No, he is not warm and fuzzy but that doesn't bother me. I make sure to have a list of questions when I go in and I make sure to sit and discuss in his office, not on the table. I ask when to call and get my results for the various tests and I don't let up until I am satisfied with the response. I guess some practices do more hand-holding, but I wouldn't know.
But I think the doctors do lost sight of the fact that we haven't all done this before and it can be overwhelming. You have to be an advocate for yourself, whether at the office or in the hospital, I think. I am not going with a "birth plan" per se...you just can't know what the L&D process will be for you. My best friend wanted a natural birth and had to have an emergency c-section due to fetal distress. Her DD's cord was wrapped tightly around her neck and likely wouldn't have made it if she had fought the c-section, so who knows?! I know what I would "like" to happen and my husband is also ready to advocate on my behalf. FWIW, I have seen and like Dr. Jackson tremendously. I do not care for Dr. McCanders at ALL. Best of luck to you! |
Anonymous
They are a medical practice... not a midwifery or other type. But truly I don't think they are any more into medical intervention than any other practice -- AS A PRACTICE. Having said that, your story about Dr. Reiter sounds all too consistent with what I've heard about him. He's a first rate ass, and I would've told him that I wasn't here to make his job easier. To the PP who posted that she's 8 months along and just switched, I DONT think R&H (as a practice) is any more likely to give you a c-section or anything else, than any other practice. Having said that, I went the epidural route (by MY choice) so I didn't particularly care too much about monitors/catheters/IVs... for me they were a minor aggravation. And, I can tell you, that I pushed for 4 hours with my first son (delivered by Dr. Abraham). no joke. 4 F-ing hours. At the end, they did use the suction thingy, but I was so exhausted, it was a relief. The Sibley nurses quite candidly told me afterward that any other doctor they knew would've had me in a C-section hours ago... so I felt fortunate. |
Anonymous
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I haven't read all the other threads, so I may be repeating.
I went to Reiter and Hill w/my 2nd after moving here from out of town. I actually had chosen a different OB who was so awful that I called Reiter and HIll in tears and they saw me almost immediately. They were great. I had a c-section with my first, but I was asked by multiple docs if I wanted to try VBAC. I didn't, but it showed me that they were open to the possibility, and likely don't "push" c-sections when not necessary. The entire medical field is more c-section prone, so their stats probably aren't more than other docs. I saw a few docs, in particular I liked Dr. Loveland, who I scheduled my c-section with. I ended up going in early and had Dr. Muangman, whom I also really liked. Overall, I found them to be warm, competent and really engaged during and after my pregnancy. As for breastfeeding etc, all of that is more related to Sibley than the doctor who delivers your baby. Good luck to you! |
Anonymous
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13:53, try to look at it this way: as a first-time mom, aren't you most concerned that you have a well-skilled doctor to attend your birth, a person who can think fast and competently handle any issue that may come up? If so, you will definitely find that with all of the R&H doctors, whether they really know you or not.
I don't know you so I can't say for certain, but if you're like most women, when you're in labor you won't give a flying flip about who is attending you or how nice they are being. You will want someone to help you and your baby through this, to give you good advice and top-notch medical care. That I can assure you that you will get with R&H. |