Lauren Nelson at GW

Anonymous
Anyone see her for routine GYN or as an OB? Thoughts esp on how good she is and bedside manner? Does she always have a student with her for in office exams like Pap smears etc when she’s at 2300?
Anonymous
The GW OBs will pretty much always have a student with them, that is typical of the whole practice.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:The GW OBs will pretty much always have a student with them, that is typical of the whole practice.


I actually only had students a few times. A colleague uses Nelson for her OB and is a fan.
Anonymous
I love her! But have only seen her while pregnant. If you don't want students, you shouldn't use GW.
Anonymous
She was the attending when my son was born and was great! Saw her for a postpartum follow-up and she didn’t have a student with her.
Anonymous
Love her! Great bedside manner - warm and friendly. But I’m from the south so I like that approach. Most of my appointments at GW have been with a student, but not all.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Love her! Great bedside manner - warm and friendly. But I’m from the south so I like that approach. Most of my appointments at GW have been with a student, but not all.


This is what I’m looking for - along w non judgmental. Any other recs at GW?
Anonymous
I saw Dr. Nelson as much as I could per some positive VBAC reviews on here, which was what I was going for. Like others, I appreciated her kind and down to earth bedside manner. She was straightforward, but, gentle and happy to discuss any concerns or issues. Ultimately scheduling was very challenging and I could only get in with her every so often. I did see her for my 6 week post partum, and she was great for that too. Dr. Nelson typically had a student with her at the M street? location. Student did my gbs swab unsupervised, and it was much more uncomfortable and unpleasant than I recalled from pregnancy #1!

I also happened to see Dr. Valentine several times. I didn't particularly care for her. A little bit overly sarcastic and condescending for my tastes. Also, I had GD, and she started pushing hard for an induction. I realize that this may be part hospital/practice policy, but, her delivery and tone really cranked my stress in to overdrive. Baby was due around labor day, and when the induction schedule got filled up because of the holiday weekend, she basically said I should present at L&D if myself or baby seemed to be in distress and needed assistance. Whew. Nothing like feeling like it's up to you to possibly make a life or death game time decision on when to present at L and D based on at home assessment!

I mostly credit my successful unmedicated vbac to my chiropractor and doula. I showed up at the hospital at 10cm, so, it was a really fast delivery (which Dr. Valentine also was present for and walked in making a snide comment about apparently not needing to schedule the induction after all!). A student also stitched me up under Dr. Valentine's supervision following delivery--some second degree tearing--Dr Valentine stepped in when it was taking a long time and finished the job. I was a bit nervous about how everything was reconfigured down there and saw my former very experienced and seasoned OB for an independent follow up afterwards. She said everything looked good and was a-ok, much to my relief!
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Love her! Great bedside manner - warm and friendly. But I’m from the south so I like that approach. Most of my appointments at GW have been with a student, but not all.


This is what I’m looking for - along w non judgmental. Any other recs at GW?


Lesko is great. Straightforward, chatty/friendly and not judgmental at all. Did a great job w/ my c-sections too.
Anonymous
Valentine is my OB and I really enjoy her sense of humor. She has a wonderful bedside manner and even came to the L/D unit on her way home from clinic to see how I was doing when she saw that I was on the hospital list. She is kind and patient and was never condescending to me or my non-medical husband.
Anonymous
Valentine is my OB too, I’m seeing her again for my second pregnancy although she is currently on maternity leave. I really like her and have never found her to be condescending—I think she has a great bedside manner and she has a very practical approach which really resonates with me. I also had gestational diabetes, which was managed with diet and she did not recommend a c-section in my case, though did make sure I was getting growth scans in case one became indicated.

I’ve also seen Nelson and Lesko and like them as well. Nelson ended up delivering my first (which ended up being a complicated vaginal delivery) and I felt very secure in the care I was getting.
Anonymous
loved my doctor, Amr Madkour. I also saw Dr. Peterson for a high risk consult and 2week postpartum ... loved him too.
Anonymous
GW patients--does anyone have tips for navigating this practice? I feel like they just assign me to whoever's available, even when I'm really flexible (any date! any time after 9:30! Seriously, I just desperately want the appointment!) and no one knows my name or is invested in my care. This week they "forgot" to call me with test results I'd been really anxious about--and scolded me for daring to call them before they realized their mistake. I'm feeling really frustrated and demoralized.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:GW patients--does anyone have tips for navigating this practice? I feel like they just assign me to whoever's available, even when I'm really flexible (any date! any time after 9:30! Seriously, I just desperately want the appointment!) and no one knows my name or is invested in my care. This week they "forgot" to call me with test results I'd been really anxious about--and scolded me for daring to call them before they realized their mistake. I'm feeling really frustrated and demoralized.


Don’t be flexible unless it’s for your own benefit. It’s that simple. “I want to see Dr Lesko. When is she available in week X? I can work around her schedule after 9 am except on Tuesday.” I saw Lesko for every appointment but 2 (couldn’t get in in time for the first; had one quasi-emergency where they wanted me to come in that day). Once or twice they said they couldn’t fit me and I emailed her through the my health (?or whatever it is called) app and she scheduled me. I had a scheduled c b/c of two priors, so they couldn’t use the bullshit it’s good to get to know different docs because anyone could deliver you on me.
Anonymous
^^ Also, the genetics people suck at calling back, I always call them and don’t feel bad. Results also often go up in the online app before they call.
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