OB/Gyn recs please :)

mrs.roach3

Hello! I just moved to the Pittsburgh area from Canton, Ohio about two months ago and in addition to moving out here and starting my new job, I have also found out I'm now expecting. It was a quite a shock to us, but we couldn't be happier about it. But since I'm new to the area, I need to find a doctor. I have been going to OB/Gyn Associates of Pittsburgh in Oakland and I like them there, but I would like to have a natural birth and when I talked with them about it at my last appointment, I was definitely given the impression they don't 100% support that. I know I need a doctor that will stand behind me through the process and respect my wishes.I'd really like to deliver at Magee if possible. I work in the city (pretty much Oakland though) and I live in Forest Hills area. I'd love to stay somewhere kind of close to work and/or home if possible but I'm will to travel a little bit for a great doctor.  Any help you can give is GREATLY appreciated!

doula_amy

Congratulations.  There are some excellent choices in the area.  There is one Womancare office that comes to mind as being pretty natural birth supportive.  Dr Alvarado is the doctor I'm thinking of.  i can't remember which specific Womancare office she's at though. 

 Also Dr. Imro at the Monroeville office is very nice and seems to be very flexible with patients wishes.

 Right now I'm drawing a blank but I know there are others that are more supportive of a more natural approach.  I will come back and post a little later after I think of some of them.  It's suddenly crazy here at my house and I can't think.

doula_amy

I saw your other post on the Nest board about the Midwives at Magee and they are wonderful.  I've worked with them a number of times and everyone I know who goes to them has been very pleased with them.

Another midwife recommendation in the area is Patrick Thornton (www.mrmidwife.org)  He's also awesome.

 I highly recommend either one of them.  I didn't mention them in my original post because you were asking about OB's and some people are very intent on going to an OB and not midwives so I didn't want to offend you.

carouselgirl73

Dr. Imro is great---but she stopped doing deliveries in January because she has her little one now.  I personally am totally disappointed with prenatal care in Pgh.  It is WONDERFUL if you have a problem (and in the past I've had plenty of major complications) but if you want to do things the natural way, it is hard to get much support. 

If you want to be at Magee, I recommend Mr. Midwife.  My sister went to him.  He is a midwife and delivers at Magee.  My sis LOVES him.  She wasn't too sure about a man midwife but after meeting him she totally changed her mind.  He is all about helping you have a wonderful birth!

doula_amy

I didn't know that Dr. Imro wasn't doing deliveries right now.  I worked with her last in October.  That's great info to know.  Thanks.

mrs.roach3

I'm totally open to the idea of a midwife instead. I will need additional ultrasounds around 20ish weeks because of a family history of congenital heart failure, but that's something I'll discuss with anyone I'm "interviewing" anyhow. And that's part of my reason for insisting on delivering at an actual hospital. The whole just-in-case thing. 

Mostly, no matter who I go with, I want to make sure my wishes are respected. I know I won't be in a mindset to have to argue my point at that time and to stand firm, so I don't want to have to do so.

The main reason I'm exploring midwives is because when I called L&D at Magee to get their recs for an OB they suggested Midwives at Magee. When I asked for an OB option, they said that Pittsburgh is the land of epidurals and most of the OBs they've come across all encourage it.  

KellyD01

The midwives are incredibly convenient to Oakland... They're right in Magee  I really like the fact that there is almost always a midwife in the hospital, or at most a few minutes away. As long as you call in, before heading in the midwife will be there waiting for you. There is also no rush from them, they're there for the duration of their shift and then someone is there to take over for them. Our midwife at our birth stayed over for several hours because she wanted to be with us for the birth. I really can't say enough good about them!

KellyD01

Oh... one more thing. They typically have a meet the midwife night monthly. Usually the 2nd or 3rd Wednesday of the month. Call the office at 412-641-6361 press option 3 to get a message to their nurse if you'd like to know when the next one is.

KellyD01

Oh also w/ the midwives I had monthly u/s after the 20 week one w/ DS because of a single umbilical artery, and will with the  twins as well to watch their growth. You schedule it  when you schedule your next appts. It's incredibly convenient!