Northern NJ Perinatologist / High Risk Doctors /Hospitals with good NICUs

muffin1120

Hi, everyone...
I'm 27w 1d today with a dynamic cervix. I live in South Orange, NJ but work in Manhattan (well, I did until I was put on bed rest last week), so before I knew I was having any problems, I had chosen an OB in NY since that's where I spent most of my time.

Now I think I'd like to see a specialist closer to home, and I would like to use a hospital that has a good NICU in case that is necessary.

I live very close to St. Barnabas, but I don't know if that's a better choice than Morristown or St. Joe's. Any suggestions for doctors/hospitals? Or any idea how I could search for ratings? I thankfully don't really have any friends who have had serious complications who live in NJ.

Thanks for any help in advance!

KutiePebbles

Hi there I was in a similar position as you. Worked in NY, live in NJ but my doctors were in NJ. My OB at the time (Sullivan*) delivered at Barnabas so that is where I planned to deliver but my son had other plans and I went into full blown labor + PPROM at work at 29wks and had him in NY. 

*Sullivan- was not pleased with his level of care, demeanor or attentiveness. He never followed up with me after my sons preterm birth which he knew of because the head of OB at the hospital I delivered at called and told him my status. Even when I passed him in the halls at Barnabas while walking to and from the nicu, he would not acknowledge me and put his head down as he passed. Would not go back to him or ever recommend him to any other preggo NJ lady. Surprisingly, he gets good reviews online but I do not see how that is possible.

My son was transferred to Barnabas at 3 wks old where his care was continued till discharge (10.5 wks total nicu time). If you feel your baby might need the nicu, make sure you choose a level 3 nicu. I know Barnabas and Hackensack are level 3.  I am unsure of Morristown's or St. Joe's. I think Morristown might be a level 3 but I do not think St. Joe's is. Remember the care your baby receives in the nicu might determine certain outcomes for many things to follow. A nicu that is under a level 3 might not be capable to properly care for more severe or specific cases. 

Background on pregnancy #1- I went to Dr. Jared Sullivan (Clifton NJ) and the Perinatal Associates at Barnabas. I already said my piece about Sullivan so here goes NJPA. I just have an unsure feeling about them. Not good not bad. Minor downfalls- there was always a 30-60 min wait and you usually cannot choose a doc, they rotate. I was high risk in 3 categories but the main concern was complications due to a unicornuate uterus (half uterus). This was my first pregnancy which means I have no prior medical history in the category of pregnancy so I was treated as a normal high risk patient. No extra or additional cervical monitoring past 23 wks and no consideration for progesterone shots and other preterm precautions. I had to fight just to get them to check my cervix at 16wks because UU ladies can possibly be at risk for spontaneous abortion around the 16 wk mark. Even with valid concerns, I got an attitude. I know not all doctors treat UU patients the same because I met and befriended a UUer from NYC (who I am now very close with) and her doctor  was completely proactive. He gave her cervical checks every other week from 16wks to delivery and also started progesterone shots at 19 wks. She also had a list of other do's and don't's, I never got any do's or don't's. My son might have been preterm no matter what but I cant help but wonder if additional cervical monitoring and shot might have gotten be further along. Side note- the above mentioned friend had no issues with PTL or PROM (all people and pregnancies are different) and she delivered at 36+2 due to low fluid and possible IUGR.

In the end, the OB you choose will determine the hospital you deliver at. If you want that choice to be the other way around, you can always choose a hospital/nicu first (go on an early tour), then go on the hospitals website and look up what OB's deliver at their facility. Then look up the OB's reviews online to make a decision. Once you have an OB, finding an MFM will not be too hard. Usually the big hospitals like Morristown, Overlook, Hackensack, Barnabas have a perinatology group within or associated with the hospital. Your OB will work in tandem with the MFM.

*since I am a perfect example of "did my research but I did not agree with the reviews" I would suggest considering a consult before choosing. Let your gut decide.

I am planning for #2 so I have been doing a TON of research. Since I am ditching almost all of my old doctors, this time around I am seeking an MFM that delivers. MFM's usually do not deliver so this has been a tough task. I ended up finding 3 in NNJ; none of which deliver at Barnabas. A Barnabas delivery is technically not a deal breaker but I know them well and trust them completely, so having a doctor that delivers elsewhere makes me anxious. I might not need a nicu the second time around but if I do, it would be hard to be elsewhere.

Here is my new research results: 

1. Dr. Abdelhak- he is an MFM/OBGYN, gets great reviews, delivers at Hackensack. Only downfall is he does not accept insurance so you need to check your out of network benefits and out of pocket max. The office staff can help with that info. Right now he is my #1 choice. 

https://www.ratemds.com/doctor-ratings/96265/Dr-Yaakov+E.-Abdelhak-HACKENSACK-NJ.html

2. Dr. Principe- he is also an MFM/OBGYN, also gets good reviews but as far as I can tell is more cut and dry with care. I think Abdelhak is a bit more hand holding, Principe seems more forward. He delivers out of St. Joe's and accepts insurance. 

https://www.healthgrades.com/physician/dr-david-principe-29snn 

3. Dr. Todd Rosen- MFM/OBGYN, okay reviews but not nearly as many total reviews as the others. He has an office in Montclair but practices out of RWJ so if you chose him he would only be delivering at RWJ. 

https://www.ratemds.com/doctor-ratings/480904/Dr-Todd+J.-Rosen-New+Brunswick-NJ.html

4. Dr. Pinto and Dr. Little OBGYN's only, out of Springfield and deliver at Barnabas. These docs were recommended to me by a nicu nurse so they are my #2 choice.  

https://www.ratemds.com/doctor-ratings/266094/Dr-Jose+J.-Pinto-Springfield-NJ.html

In terms of Barnabas, I literally researched every other doctor that delivers at Barnabas and was on the fence with what I found. A lot of the docs from Barnabas belong to a group of 4+ docs. If you look up each doc, a lot of the time 2 or 3 might get great, reliable reviews and then the remaining doctors are horrific. Problem with offices like this is that you can pick a doctor, but you will always have visits with the others in case they are the only ones available on your delivery day. That decision alone is enough for me to steer clear of a lot of them. Birth #1 was traumatic so I do not want birth #2 to be the same because I get stuck delivering with the shitty doctor of the group. Here are some of the other groups that deliver at Barnabas if you want to do your own research- Rubino Group, Summit Medical, Contemporary Women's Care.

If you consider Chilton (again prob not a level 3 nicu) Dr. Domnitz is supposedly a great OBGYN.

That is my research thus far, Sorry I left a novel in your lap, but I really hope it helps If you're up for chatting, feel free to message once you get through this reply. I can always pass along info so we don't need to go through TheBump to chat. Best of luck!

muffin1120

This is amazing information- thank you so so very much for taking the time to tell your experience and share your research!!!!

KutiePebbles

You're welcome Glad this can help. Let me know your thoughts on the docs and who you decide. I have a tough choice ahead of me for #2.