South Hills/St Clair Hospital OB recommendations?

tarasimmons

I am new here, about 9 weeks along and released by my RE to a regular OB.  I plan to deliver at St. Clair Hospital and I'm looking at two OB practices.  Any opinions (good AND bad) on Dr. Patricia Bulseco (and others in practice) or Dr Robert Rankin (South Hills OBGYN)?  I like the IDEA of Bulseco's office -- woman owned, mostly women docs but the online reviews I've read have been bad to horrible.  Dr. Rankin gets good reviews, for the most part, but a practice that is just two men?  Hmm.

Would love to hear any opinions -- need to get an appointment SOON!

Thanks in advance!

Tara 

clo1982

I have been going to Dr Rankin's practice for about 10 years (just for normal annual exams, etc) then Dr. Rankin delivered my daughter this past June. They are great with getting appointments at times that are convenient for you. As an example, toward the end of my pregnancy when I had to go in every 2 weeks, they were very flexible with getting me in around my work schedule. They were also great when I had mini meltdown moments and wanted to come in for an unschedule appointment. The nurse is extremely helpful with normal questions and will get back to you usually within an hour.

 Dr. Warner, the other dr. in the practice, is definitely awkward though. Dr. Rankin is awesome but you will see both Dr's in case one is on call the day you deliver. Dr Warner's bedside manner is awkward at best. I definitely feel that Dr. Rankin more than makes up for it though. I ended up having a non-scheduled C-section and Dr. Rankin actually had me laughing while they were delivering my baby. This was quite a feat as I was terrified since I never even had minor surgery in my life, wasn't due for 3 more weeks, and had no intention of needing a c-section!!

 I also heard some negative things from current and former patients of Bulseco's group. Some people seem very happy but it seems that the majority are not too thrilled with much other than the convenience.

 As a side note, St. Clair is a wonderful place to deliver! The nurses are the absolute best. The food is terrible but there is a sandwich shop there that's great and the cafeteria food is good. My experience there was really great!

laurenholmes2009

You should look into Dr. Zubritzsky and Dr. Christy. They see patients at St. Clair hospital, in Robinson, and McKees Rocks. Both Dr.'s are men. They are awesome! They really get to know you since it's just the two of them. Plus it's reassuring knowing that it's going to be one or the other during delivery. It's easy to get an appointment with them, and they are so easy to talk to.

clo1982

*LaurenHolmes2009* did you by any chance used to ride horses at Mingo Creek Farms? If not sorry, there was a girl there by the same name!

 

NikMck06

I've been going to Bulseco's office for a few years now... it's super convenient to have them right there in the hospital as well.  They have always been good to me.  My primary OB is Stephanie Brown - she is FABULOUS.  But the rest in the practice are really great. 

laurenholmes2009

Lol...nope. But I have been out to mingo several times!

lizzybeth1527

Congratulations! I have gone to Bulseco for my GYN for about 10 years, always just saw the NP there. When I got pregnant, I went there for my first appointment at 4 weeks to confirm how far along I was. I was SO disappointed!! They have always been a little 'cold', never thought the NP had a great bedside manner. Didn't get any better when I saw Bulseco. She was rushed, didn't know anything that was in my charts (I know this is probably very typical, but asking my questions about my bloodwork that I had never seen and knew nothing about...I mean, I'm not the doctor! You are!), and just seemed like she was hurrying to get out of my room and get to the next patient. I have never seen the other OBs there (I have heard Brown is great), but you have to see every doctor in the practice, and I wouldn't want to risk getting stuck with a doctor I disliked! I ended up switching to the Midwives at Magee. Good luck!

tarasimmons

So I thought I'd report back to say I ended up with Rankin, in part because of the good review here, so thank you!

I was very happy.  Everyone, from receptionist to nurses to Dr. Rankin himself were very friendly and answered all of my questions. The office (and staff) was fairly small, and had a friendly homey feeling.

A few notes:  Despite the fact that i only saw 2 or 3 other patients while i was there, the entire staff seemed like they were extra busy.  It was my first appointment, so I'm curious to see if THEY always are so harried (I was not made to feel rushed at all).

 Dr. Rankin talked a lot.  Talked OVER me a couple of times, but I think honestly, were were both just in really great moods.  We'll see if that is a trend, and if so, how much it annoys me later :-) Seemed like he had a good sense of humor (during my pelvic exam he exclaimed "YEP! YOU SURE ARE PREGNANT!").  So far, I'm happy with him.

Given my age (36), and despite not having any other 'risk factors' (such as family history) he strongly urged me to read the literature they gave me on amniocentesis.  I said "So do you recommend..." and he responded that he never makes recommendations about amnio/cvs/etc.  but that he'll provide as much information and facts as he can so that the couple can make their own decisions.  I really respected that. Most doctors want to give you their opinion and then want you to DO that thing.  

Dr. Rankin may have been the first doctor in my entire adult life to use the phrase "your healthy".  Most doctors assume that because I am overweight (not obese but definitely overweight) that I am unhealthy.  Which is simply not true. I was really worried about finding an OB who wouldn't be on my case every visit about my weight (either pre preg or during) and it doesn't seem like this is going to be an issue.

Next visit is already scheduled.  Despite the fact that I expressed a strong preference for Dr. Rankin, they've already scheduled me to see Dr. Werner on my next visit.  We'll see how that goes.  I guess you have to see every doc in any given practice, since you can't predict who will be on call when you go into labor.  I get that.  But hope to see 'my' doctor more than the other guy :-)

Overall I am very happy with this choice! 

 

OliviazMum

I went to Bulseco's group to deliver my daughter, but I have switched practices for this one!  I have to agree that I do love Stephanie Brown in Bulseco's group, but not real thrilled with anyone else.  I did love delivering at St. Clair and am a little sad that I will not be delivering there this time, but I'd rather have a good doctor.