Recommend your OB (Towson/Baltimore)

artsew825

Just recently found out I am pregnant, 6 weeks. My friend referred me to her Dr at St. Joe's for my first appointment. I really liked her, but she is the only physician in the office. My first appointment I waited 2.5 hours to see her. Called the office that night due to spotting and have yet to hear back from the Dr...it has been two days.

Anyone recommend their OB? I think I would like an office with more than one physician and a nurse (my previous office was like this but too far for me now). I would like to stay in the Towson/Baltimore area with a delivery at GBMC or St. Joe's. I've heard great things about Dr. Suplee but I believe he is a sole physician?

TIA! 

idonthavethis

Dr Supplee is my doctor--I love him! He is the only physician in his office though. Even though he is, he is always quick to return phone calls. The wait times can be a little long at time. He really is a great doctor though..very attentive...and pretty cute too..ha ha

anonsouthernbell

Congratulations!  I don't have an ob to recommend but I just wanted to say that you might want to look more at delivering at St. Joseph's over GBMC as GBMC has one of the highest c-section rates in the state (over 40%).

Teagiedo

Capital womens care at st. joe's is awesome. You will see all of the doctors before you deliver. So there will know who is delivering your baby.

Plus the staff and the doctors are awesome

hdommy

I see Dr. Dominque Allen at GBMC.  There are two others female drs in her practice and I never have a problem getting in with her.  I can't speak highly enough of her.  She sat with me during the birth of my daughter for over 4 hours of pushing.  

idonthavethis

anonsouthernbell:

Congratulations!  I don't have an ob to recommend but I just wanted to say that you might want to look more at delivering at St. Joseph's over GBMC as GBMC has one of the highest c-section rates in the state (over 40%).

Wow I didn't know that.

autumn bliss

anonsouthernbell:

Congratulations!  I don't have an ob to recommend but I just wanted to say that you might want to look more at delivering at St. Joseph's over GBMC as GBMC has one of the highest c-section rates in the state (over 40%).

To OP, first off, congrats on your pregnancy!  I know you didn't ask about c-sections in your post, but just to add my two cents to this poster's comment...

Yes, GBMC has a higher rate of c-sections than some of the other area hospitals, but I would not automatically choose the hospital next door because of this...there are various reasons for their rate...one being that GBMC sees a significant number of high risk clients and does many multiple births.  And really, the rate of c-sections has more to do with what practice you go with, rather than just the hospital.  There are so many OB's that have priviledges at GBMC...when interviewing for your OB, I would ask about that particular practice's rate of c-sections v. vaginal deliveries.

Coming from someone who just delivered there, I have nothing but positive things to say about that hospital and their staff.  Oh and yea, no c-section here!  I absolutely love my OB practice and would recommend them to anyone; I felt so well taken care of.  There are three OB's there and they encourage you to see all three docs while pregnant, as any of those three could deliver your child....which I thought was great, as I did not want to rely on one person or some random on-call doc to deliver my baby.  And they have always been prompt in returning calls and have fantastic hours...two later days a week on Mon. and Wed.  Of the three docs, there is one female and if you have an appt with her that week, you will most likely wait longer as she seems to be the most booked.  The most I ever waited for the other two docs, both male, was 15 minutes.  Good luck in your search for a new OB!

https://www.csobgyn.com/

jnealet

I go to Dr Collerius at St. Joes.  She's the only ob in her practice, she has an NP who works with her on the office visits and has another ob who she shares call with on the weekends.  I really like her, I've been going there for years. 

I agree wth the pp about GBMC, it really depends more on the dr then the hospital if you are going to have a c/s or not.  I heard GBMC re-did their maternity ward about 18 months ago and its really nice.  When I delivered my daughter, which was a c/s and at St. Joes, GBMC's maternity ward had flooded and all new moms were on a regular floor, which wasn't as nice.  But I think they have everything fixed now.

Either hospital would be a great place to have a baby.  Congrats on your pregnancy!!

cdc1982

OB/GYN Specialists of MD!!  They have 2 offices, 1 in Timonium (right off the 695 York Rd N. exit) & 1 in Owings Mills.

I go to the Timonium office & see Dr. Samuel Akman.  He's been my OB/GYN for almost 10yrs already.  He is awesome!!!!  Since getting preg, I've also seen the midwife Jeanette (she's a tiny ball of energy, super sweet too!) & the NP Laura (also totally cool!).  Everyone at the office is super helpful, fun & really nice.  They also have 3 other docs there but I haven't seen them yet.

Here's their website (complete w/ pics!):  https://obgynspecialists.net/default.aspx

Something they've recently started that I love is sending out email appt reminders & confirmations.  I get the confirmation about a week before my appt & then a reminder a few days before.

ETA:  Forgot, this office works with both St. Joe's & GBMC.  I'm delivering at GBMC because I like their maternity ward better based on visits to both hospitals with friends & family that had babies.  Yes, GBMC may have a higher c/s rate BUT, like pp said, that's because they have more high risk patients.  I definitely wouldn't hold that against the hospital in anyway.  DH & I just took our birthing classes there (through the OB's office but it's done by a 25yr L&D nurse & held at the hospital) & had a tour of the hospital.  We feel extremely comfortable & happy with our hospital choice!

 

cbaummer2be

I see Dr. Hunter at GBMC. The practice is Perinatal Associates. She's great and the practice is great. I had two very large babies (9lbs and 10lbs) and no c/s. I wouldn't worry about the pp rate of c-section because it truly depends on two things, you (your health) and the baby (baby's health). The doctor will do what's best for you and your baby.

ruby930

cdc1982:

OB/GYN Specialists of MD!!  They have 2 offices, 1 in Timonium (right off the 695 York Rd N. exit) & 1 in Owings Mills.

I go to the Timonium office & see Dr. Samuel Akman.  He's been my OB/GYN for almost 10yrs already.  He is awesome!!!!  Since getting preg, I've also seen the midwife Jeanette (she's a tiny ball of energy, super sweet too!) & the NP Laura (also totally cool!).  Everyone at the office is super helpful, fun & really nice.  They also have 3 other docs there but I haven't seen them yet.

Here's their website (complete w/ pics!):  https://obgynspecialists.net/default.aspx

Something they've recently started that I love is sending out email appt reminders & confirmations.  I get the confirmation about a week before my appt & then a reminder a few days before.

I second this recommendation!  I go here and everyone at the office is FANTASTIC!  I am technically Dr. Akman's patient, but have been rotating between the 4 doctors and 1 midwife who actually deliver.  They have a rotating delivery schedule and do not use a service for coverage.  I can't say enough great things about this practice!

JillShari

Capital Women's Care at St Joes.....great

anonsouthernbell

I just wanted to add that while I do agree that the doctor or midwife practice that you go to makes a world of difference, at times hospitals have policies in place that further enhance one's chance of having a c/s.  (And just to state I fully believe that some c-sections are medically necessary.  I am not anti c-section, but I am anti- unnecessary csections).  For instance, at AAMC women are hooked up to the fetal monitoring for at a minimum of 20 minutes every hour.  This is beyond even ACOG's recommended guidelines and is done more out of fear of litigation rather than best practice.  Additionally, the World Health Organization has set guidelines that c-section rates should not be above 15%.  This figure include high-risk pregnancies, transverse babies, etc.  So while I do agree that GBMC does have more high-risk pregnancies, I will not buy the fact that they are three times above the recommend rate due to high-risk pregnancies.  To me that speaks that there are some hospital policies in place that are not in the best interest of laboring women and/or that there are doctors or midwives that practice there that are also not acting in the best interest of laboring women.  My mom had two babies at GBMC and I have a friend who had one as well.  Both of them were happy with their experience, but for myself personally I would not choose to go to a hospital that had such a high c-section rate just bc the rooms there are nicer.  Now if it was bc I was seeing a wonderful and amazing care provider and that was where they had privledges that is a different story altogether.  GL with whatever decision you make.  I hope that you find a great provider and that you have a happy and healthy pregnancy!

vgarappolo

ruby930:

cdc1982:

OB/GYN Specialists of MD!!  They have 2 offices, 1 in Timonium (right off the 695 York Rd N. exit) & 1 in Owings Mills.

I go to the Timonium office & see Dr. Samuel Akman.  He's been my OB/GYN for almost 10yrs already.  He is awesome!!!!  Since getting preg, I've also seen the midwife Jeanette (she's a tiny ball of energy, super sweet too!) & the NP Laura (also totally cool!).  Everyone at the office is super helpful, fun & really nice.  They also have 3 other docs there but I haven't seen them yet.

Here's their website (complete w/ pics!):  https://obgynspecialists.net/default.aspx

Something they've recently started that I love is sending out email appt reminders & confirmations.  I get the confirmation about a week before my appt & then a reminder a few days before.

I second this recommendation!  I go here and everyone at the office is FANTASTIC!  I am technically Dr. Akman's patient, but have been rotating between the 4 doctors and 1 midwife who actually deliver.  They have a rotating delivery schedule and do not use a service for coverage.  I can't say enough great things about this practice!

 

I couldn't agree more! I see Dr. Akman as well and he is by far my favorite, although I have grown to adore Dr. Pegues since being pregnant.

smorzandoj

I see Dr Erdman.  www.csobgyn.com  There are two other doctors and they are at GBMC.  ALthough others have mentioned the cs rate there are also a lot of downsides to delivering at St Joes.  Either way you could be sacrificing.  My sister delivered at St Joes - you have to check in through the ER, if you deliver on the weekend the place pretty much shuts down - esp on Sunday - no lactation specialist.  The waiting room also is super tiny at St Joes. 

If you have no complications then you wont have a cs no matter where you deliver.

TBurkettG

I just switched to Captial Women's Care at St. Joe's.  They were recommended by about 5 of my husbands coworkers and they have lived up to the praise. 

 I was with Johns Hopkins at Greenspring Station - LOVED the doctors and nurses but dealing with admin. staff really drove me bonkers.

mommamiller101210

I see Dr. Hunter also and I would highly recommend her.  I've heard nothing but great things about GBMC.  Find a doctor/practice you like and go with that.  I wouldn't worry about how you deliver just that you have a healthy baby (isn't that what's important!!!) 

I've never had any issues with getting an appointment with Dr. Hunter and her staff is super nice.  I've been going to her for several years and she's fantastic.  What's nice about her practice is that they have several doctor's in the practice and as far as I know they are one of the few practices at GBMC who have a doctor on-call at the hospital 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

greenmom43

Dr. Andrea Collerius, she delivers at St. Joe's. Her office is in the professional Bldg on campus.

unhgirl03

I love all the doctors in the Sinai OB/GYN Associates group. They do, I believe, only deliever at Sinai, but I've had a great experience with them.

danapapoi

Charles Street OB/Gyn is at GBMC and they are wonderful!  Their website is csobgyn.com.  There are 3 docs and a NP all of whom are great.  One of the nice things about GBMC is that it is NOT a teaching hospital so you don't have to worry about residents using you/your baby as a guinea pig. 

Best Wishes

 

LillyGrrl

unhgirl03:

I love all the doctors in the Sinai OB/GYN Associates group. They do, I believe, only deliever at Sinai, but I've had a great experience with them.

 

Ditto. I had a great experience with them and delivering at Sinai in general.  Especially the maternity nurses who I thought were fantastic.

lbuggy25

Kudos to my OBGYN, Charles St. OBGYN. I mainly see Dr. Erdman, but I also like Dr. Ottenritter. The practice is great and I am looking forward to my delivery at GBMC. I had a scare when I was 29 weeks. I called the on call and they advised me to go to labor and delivery. There was no wait and I was out of there in 2 hours. The staff at GBMC hospital were really nice. I like the OBGYN because it is right on the campus and the doctors take time to answer questions and treat you with TLC. I have high blood pressure during this pregnancy. They have been taking great care of me, monitoring it and so far no problems. I'm not even considered a high risk. So GL, but this is a great practice.