Dr. Deena Kleinerman (OB/GYN) - Thoughts on her???

[Anonymous]

I'm 27 weeks pregnant and thinking of leaving Capital Women's Care (Dr. Baja). Has anyone used Dr. Kleinerman and want to share their experience.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I work with her sister in an unrelated field. I've heard she's great but have no direct experience with her. Her sister is a DOLL, if that helps.

[Anonymous]

Hi - I first started seeing Dr. Kleinerman as my GYN in 2002 after she was recommended by some work colleagues. She saw me through some less-than-routine (that is, more than an annual pap) health stuff and throughout, I found her to be incredibly professional and never condescending. When my husband and I returned to DC after grad school, I sought her out for a gyn exam and preconception counseling; I've seen her multiple times since becoming pregnant.

I really can't say enough good things about her. To put it in perspective: we live in SE DC and I work up near Baltimore, so her Bethesda office is far from convenient, but I like and trust her. If you're looking for a doctor who is very hand-holdy or gushy about pregnancy, it's my impression that's not her style; then again, it's not mine either and I expect she picks up on that.

I can't speak to the other doctors in the practice; I've only seen Dr. Kleinerman and the CNM (who was very warm and capable). Also, it's my first pregnancy, so I'm no expert. I'd be happy to answer any specific questions - just let me know how we can best get in touch.

PS: The Bethesda office staff (no minor consideration, in my view) is helpful and accommodating.

[Anonymous]

I have been seeing Dr. Klinerman and she is great.

You should know though that her practice shares delivery duty with Dr. Baja's office, so there is a chance someone from Dr. Baja's office will deliver you.

[Anonymous]

I'm also very happy with Dr. Kleinerman. I'm at the end of my 2nd trimester. Her office is very efficient, too. I never wait very long, the waiting room is never crowded, etc.

[Anonymous]

Dr. Kleinerman delivered my baby a few weeks ago. Actually, I delivered my baby... she helped it not hurt even though I chose not to have pain medication. She was supportive and fantastic. B/c of her skills I had extremely minimal tearing and couldn't believe how little pain I felt when my son officially arrived! (Contraction were another story )
She was not my OB for pregnancy but I am definitely going to try to switch to her for reg. OB/Gyn so hopefully she can deliver my next baby. Also Sibley was fantastic and the nurses were wonderful.
At my discharge Dr. Kleinerman was very thorough and informative. It's wierd that it matters, I guess, but I felt like she was really proud of me. I was proud too, so that really felt great!

[Anonymous]

I am a patient of her partner (Gschwend) but have seen her several times during this pregnancy, including for some scary complications. She is wonderful - calm, cool and professional. She spends time and explains things clearly without patronizing patients. As a PP said, she's not touchy feely, but I also prefer a more no-nonsense style.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a patient of her partner (Gschwend) but have seen her several times during this pregnancy, including for some scary complications. She is wonderful - calm, cool and professional. She spends time and explains things clearly without patronizing patients. As a PP said, she's not touchy feely, but I also prefer a more no-nonsense style.

I actually find her more touch feeling than most doctors I know.

As someone said, there is a very good chance that you will have a different doctor, including someone from Baja's office, deliver you unless you are induced/have a planned C-section.

[Anonymous]

I'm a patient of Dr. Newman's. He is in the same off as Dr. Bajaj. But Dr. Kleinerman was on call when I recently gave birth and she was awesome. You can't go wrong with Newman or Kleinerman

[Anonymous]

I regularly see Dr. Gschwend and he advised that I have one appointment with Dr. Kleinerman before my daughter was born. Both my husband and I did not like her at the appointment BUT she was on call when I went into labor and my whole opinion of her changed. She was great and I had serious complications (did not realize how serious until it was all over) and she never was frazzled and everything turned out great. I would definitely recommend her!

And, Sibley and the the docs from Bajaj's practice were great too!

[Anonymous]

I had an absolutely TERRIBLE experience with her. Conversely, I can't say enough negative things about her. She was rude, cut visits short, way too sarcastic, and just had a very impersonal and brash bedside manner.

Example - the morning after my father-in-law passed away I went to my 36-week appointment and I was visibly very upset (which she knew). I tensed up during the internal exam and she told me to "Get over it". It was so traumatic, as was the majority of my experience with her.

So I would not recommend her at all. Esp. if you are looking for a doctor that is empathetic and caring.

[Anonymous]

I am a patient of Dr. Gschwend but she ended up on call and delivered my first baby. I did meet her at a few office visits and found her curt and un-friendly. Her bedside manner during deliver was fantastic though and she was a great coach. I was surprised. In my 2nd pregnancy, I saw her a few times and was still shocked by how un-friendly she was/is. Dr. Newman was on call when I delivered and I have to say, he was great.

[Anonymous]

I am a patient of Newman's but Kleinerman was on call when I went to Sibley with pre-term labor. I absolutely adored her. She was kind, explained things to me, didn't treat me like an idiot for being freaked out (like some of the other docs did). I am shocked that she would be rude, as some of the other posters say. I was thinking of switching to her if I have another child......

[Anonymous]

I went to Dr. Kleinerman for several years but actually switched to Dr. Bajaj about three years ago, mainly because her office moved, but have to say that I think Capital Women's Care was a big improvement.

[Anonymous]

I've been a patient of Dr. Kleinerman's since 1992, so I've been with her a very long time. She has seen me through two babies and some various gynecological issues. I am surprised to find that some have had a rough time with her. I have never found her to be curt or impatient. In fact, I find her to be one of the most caring practitioners out there -- she is always available to answer questions no matter how trivial or silly they may be. She does, however, have a somewhat wry sense of humor, but I find that she relieves a lot of the tension by making wise cracks during exams. I would never hesitate to recommend her.