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Dr Bettencourt at MelroseWakefield or Dr Ackerman at Brigham?

almosthitched0907almosthitched0907 member
in Boston Babies

Hi everyone,

I have a consultation next week with Dr Bettencourt from Melrose Wakefield Hospital and a consultation with Dr Ackerman at Brigham's the following week? Any one a patient of either doctor?  Any experiences with these doctors or hospitals you would be willing to share?

I am looking for an OB and once I pick one I am making a preconception appointment.

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Re: Dr Bettencourt at MelroseWakefield or Dr Ackerman at Brigham?

  • BCV513BCV513 member
    I see Dr. Witkowski, who shares a practice with Dr. Bettencourt. I'm 95% sure when you hit third trimester, you have to switch from Dr. Bettencourt to either Dr. Witkowski or Dr. O'Connor. They're all fabulous though. I've heard nothing but great things about all of them.
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  • RochaMartelRochaMartel

    I had Dr. Bettencourt at Melrose-Wakefield and I really liked her. She has a great bedside manner, very approachable and really seemed to care during my entire pregnancy. She is pretty quiet and not too in your face about things - she asks questions and can give advice. One thing I did notice is that sometimes I did have to ask further questions if I was going in for a regular test or blood work just to inquire what it was for as I think she may have assumed thta I knew what it was for - however when I asked her she was more than happy to explain and give me as much info as I wanted. She always returned my calls when I had a question and when I ended up with mastitis (sp?) when I got home I called her and she had me come right in that day so that she could check things out and give me an antibiotic (it was even the end of he day and she waited for me).  I did not have to switch from Dr. Bettencourt to Dr. Witkowski or Dr. O'Connor in my 3rd trimester and I had her the entire time - she actually ended up doing my C-Section which was great since I saw her for my entire pregnancy.

     I can say that I did interact with Dr. O'Connor at Melrose-Wakefield when I went in for my initial Induction (I ended up leaving the hospital after it didn't work and scheduled a c-section) and I did not care for his bedside manner. You could tell that he is very knowledgeble and had he done my delivery or C-section I would have felt very safe in his hands, however I personally prefer someone who has a bit of a softer personality. Dr. Bettencourt was very excited to do my C-section and I was so happy that she was the one who was able to do it.

    I also really enjoyed my expirence at Melrose-Wakefield - all of the nurses and staff that I dealt with were awesome - I wasn't really sure how I would heandle the whole C-section (as I have never had to have any type of anesthesia before) and I couldn't say anything better about the C-Section and the entire team that was in th OR during it - they were GREAT and it helped to calm any fears/concerns I had.

    The only downside of Melrose-Wakefield is that if you are not going to breastfeed be sure that you let your OB and the staff know that before you go in - they push breastfeeding on you and as we all know it is the best thing for the baby, however it does not work for everyone and they will only have you breastfeed if they don't know before hand.

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  • almosthitched0907almosthitched0907 member
    Thanks for the response ladies!  I have heard great things about the practice for Bettencourt/O'connor.  I really hope it goes well.  It willbe nice to like the doctor and be so close to home. 
    Lilypie First Birthday tickers
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  • ngzmorsengzmorse
    imagealmosthitched0907:

    Hi everyone,

    I have a consultation next week with Dr Bettencourt from Melrose Wakefield Hospital and a consultation with Dr Ackerman at Brigham's the following week? Any one a patient of either doctor?  Any experiences with these doctors or hospitals you would be willing to share?

    I am looking for an OB and once I pick one I am making a preconception appointment.

    I saw Dr. Ackerman at Commonwealth OBGYN and was really happy with my experience.  There are three other doctors in the practice and I saw them all throughout my pregnancy.  Dr. Pettyjohn was on call when I was induced so she delivered my baby, but I saw Dr. Ackerman may times while I was pregnant.  She is friendly, but reserved and not much for small talk.  Regarding Brigham, I absolutely loved delivering there.  I've only been to Melrose Wakefield ER for some stitches but from what I saw, there is no comparison.  I chose to deliver at Brigham because I feel like it's a huge privilage and I had the option.  Good luck! 

    Anniversary ~~~August 2010 Siggy Challenge June **Me at 11 Months, DD at 9 Months**~~~ <a href="http://s1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee404/enmorse/?action=view
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  • bostonhime710bostonhime710

    I have never met Dr. Bettencourt BUT I made an appointment with her once because I was looking for a new OB. I went to her office for the appt and was told AFTER I arrived, signed-in, and paid my co-pay that she was on-call that day and had just gone next door to Melrose-Wakefield Hospital to deliver a baby! The staff member said that she left about 15 mins before I arrived and they would not know when she would return. Why they did not call me beforehand to reschedule is beyond me. The staff member asked me if I wanted to WAIT, or reschedule. Are you kidding me??!! Wait for how long??!! It doesn't take 15-20 mins to deliver a baby. I told them I wanted my co-pay refunded, which they did.

    I never made another appt with her. Her staff is really unprofessional and it was a bad first impression. 

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