Experiences with Reiter & Hill

[Anonymous]

I have to say that I also was with Rieter and Hill for over 10 years, including the birth of my last baby. Most of the clinicians are great, some not so much. It all depends on what you are looking for, some people dont' mind having a somewhat impersonal experience at the doctor's office, if you do mind, it won't work for you.

I left them when they didn't return my phone calls after I suspected I was having a miscarriage. When my call was finally returned, I was called at work and told by a tech, NOT A DOCTOR OR NURSE, "yep, it's a miscarriage". That was it for me. I left for a solo practice and I am much happier.

[Anonymous]

A bit off topic, but one other thing about R&H, specifically their Chevy Chase office. If you can possibly help it, don't let any of the cute young things who work there draw your blood! I have come away from my last two visits (about a month apart) black and blue on both arms from the repeated needle sticks because my veins are "too small," "rolled too much," etc. Of course a more senior person came in each time and had no problem getting blood. There is a lot of inexperience there on the lowest levels.....

[Anonymous]

I honestly feel the Dr. Loveland saved me from a C-Section after almost 24 hrs since my water broke and DS was still posterior, she came in like a champion and pushed me (in a positive way) to get this baby out! I remember her pouring gobs of some oil to massage me and make way for him, avoiding a episiotomy in the meantime. Within about 30 mins of her really stepping in, he was out safe and sound! She told me later that a vaginal delivery of a posterior baby is very rare...

[Anonymous]

I'm an internist and see Dr. Osmun at R&H. He is very gentle, patient, calm and attentive. I knew him and his reputation prior since we trained at the same hospital. I highly recommend seeing him if you haven't found a doctor at the practice you like yet.

[Anonymous]

Dr. Muangman did my c-section (my baby was breech at 39 1/2 weeks) and did an excellent job. I just love her, she's really nice, explains everything, and spends just the right amount of time.

My problems with the R&H practice have all been with support staff. They have been rude to me, haven't passed on phone messages, and have charged me for missed appointments that were not missed, lost my original chart (and all my history with it), told me repeatedly that I wasn't allowed to make my first pregnancy appointment because I hadn't taken my pregnancy test there (which I DID do). The staff there is making me want to find another practice. But I will probably keep going because I like Muangman that much.

[Anonymous]

I'm a first time Mom too, in the 8th month. I haven't had any problems with the support staff they have all been very nice and past on messages etc no problem.

I like some of the docs a lot, others so so, but no issues I can talk of. I'm of course a bit nervous being new to everything and would love if the docs actually knew me, but that's pretty hard to find nowadays...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a first time Mom too, in the 8th month. I haven't had any problems with the support staff they have all been very nice and past on messages etc no problem.

I like some of the docs a lot, others so so, but no issues I can talk of. I'm of course a bit nervous being new to everything and would love if the docs actually knew me, but that's pretty hard to find nowadays[/b]...

no, it's not really. i think reiter and hill is known as a baby factory and there are plenty of practices where they know your name. that's apparently why a lot of people leave there. you have a ton of ob appointments during your pregnancy. it is not like you go once a year, and if you want someone who will remember your name after seeing you several times, it really isn't tough to find. i go to foxhall and they always remember me.

[Anonymous]

I agree that R&H is a baby factory, but what exactly is wrong with that, if in fact you are going to have a baby?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A bit off topic, but one other thing about R&H, specifically their Chevy Chase office. If you can possibly help it, don't let any of the cute young things who work there draw your blood! I have come away from my last two visits (about a month apart) black and blue on both arms from the repeated needle sticks because my veins are "too small," "rolled too much," etc. Of course a more senior person came in each time and had no problem getting blood. There is a lot of inexperience there on the lowest levels.....

I have hard to find veins and have had both bad and good experiences getting my blood drawn at the Chevy Chase office - had bruises for a week after one visit, but now I know to ask for Jennie, who seems to be able to draw my blood without leaving a mark.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree that R&H is a baby factory, but what exactly is wrong with that, if in fact you are going to have a baby?

Nothing is necessarily wrong with that, if that's the standard of care and treatement you're comfortable with. I'm not a one-size fits all widget, so it didn't work for me.

I left the practice when, at 7 months, they were already talking about a c-section because the baby was big. At 7 months! And it may be that vaginal deliveries of posterior babies is rare at R & H, which I completely believe because it does take more time and is going to be harder in a heavily medicalized birth where movement is discouraged, it's not rare. I did it a few years ago; women do it all the time.

[Anonymous]

I delivered with R&H in April. I honestly forget which doctor spent the day with me (she switched out with Dr. Abraham who delivered my son) but she was very supportive of my desire for a vaginal delivery - even though my son wasn't entirely cooperative. She was patient, attentive and careful. She let me know that if he didn't make certain milestones that she would recommend a section -- but in the end she tried everything else first and he was born healthy, vaginally, just took him a while.

That said, I love the docs and HATE the DC office. Always running late and very crowded. If you can book early, do so - or go to fairfax. They are the oldest, biggest, busiest practice and you'll notice it most during office visits.

[awilliams]

I'm due in January with my first child and have mixed feeling about RH&J. My first appt with an OB was with McKanders who didn't seem at all interested in my pregnancy but rather asked me where I shopped for my clothes because she really liked my shirt. What? Not a good start. I really disliked her and am shocked that they brought her on as a new Dr. since I haven't read one nice thing about her on this thread.
I've met with Hill and Sartawi and they both were fine. That said, I would like to aim for a natural birth. I have asked the OBs that I have met with if they object and they all seem fine with it but I have this sense that as I get closer to my due date, they are going to change their tune.
Has anyone had a natural birth with this practice? We are planning on using a doula as well.

[Anonymous]

"Once I asked Dr. Loveland about the practice's stance on episiotemies. She said, "If you need one, you get one". " How funny! When I asked Dr Loveland (who ended up delivering my baby) that question, she said not to worry about it, she couldn't remember the last time she did one. I delivered vaginally with no episiotemy (small tear). During labor, when there was an issue that could have lead to a c-section, Dr L listened to my husband express my preference against that as long as there was no risk to the baby and let me continue without one. Dr Jackson had a very supportive conversation with me on the use of doulas and Dr Osmun is wonderful. Reiter is the only one I would avoid. Dr Osmun let me labor naturally until I was ready for the epidural. I have never had a problem with getting help for emergencies during the day or after hours.