Hi ladies! Unfortunately I have been pretty unimpressed with my current OB and would like to try to find another doctor. I'm almost 11 weeks so I still have time to switch. Can anyone recommend a OB in or near Baltimore? I am looking for a warm and thorough doctor that will take the time to talk to us during our appointments. I have a history of infertility (this is an IVF pregnancy) and have had a previous pregnancy loss so I am pretty still nervous at this point. It is so hard to choose a doctor without getting recommendations! Thank you so much 
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I like Dr. Hopkins-Luna. Her office is in Pikesville and she delivers at St. Joseph's in the county but I don't know if that's too far for your liking. I found her to be very calm, warm, and she answered all the questions DH and I had. I saw her during a miscarriage and she was proactive in giving me a work note (for three weeks!), talking to me about how she would approach the next pregnancy, etc. She also sent us a card after, which I found very thoughtful.
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Since you went through IVF I wonder if your RE's office could give you some referrals.
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Do you have a preference for what hospital you deliver?
My OB office is in Columbia which isn't Baltimore obviously but isn't too far. The practice is all women and there are about 8 Drs and 3 midwives. I know thats not everyone's cup of tea though. I really like everyone I've seen. I didn't do IVF but did have a previous loss (molar pregnancy) and they've been great in making me feel at ease.
ETA: This practice delivers at St. Agnes Hospital
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Hoffman and Associates delivered both of my babies. They're an all-female practice affiliated with Mercy Medical Center with several offices in the Baltimore area. I have my favorites among the ob's, but they recommend you rotate through them during your pregnancy so you get a chance to meet all of them since any one of them could be on call when you deliver.
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Oh, and they were recommended to me by my doctor at Shady Grove fertility.
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I was very happy with my OB practice - Capital Women's Care . They have offices in Towson and Bel Air and deliver at St. Joseph's. Do you know where you want to deliver?
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I loved CWC in Towson and my delivery at St. joes. It's a rotation model, but all the obs were awesome. I really love Dr. Zern. Fogelson delivered my daughter and he was wonderful, too!
What practice/hospital are you currently at?
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@catomd00: Zern is really awesome, but she no longer delivers
Fogelson delivered my first, and Duke my second. I really like both of them.
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@78h2o: really?! When did that happen?! My daughter was born in early 2014!! I have to leave the practice for my next baby but knowing that makes it feel less painful!
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@catomd00: I think pretty recently
I asked Dr. Fogelson why Dr. Zern was no longer delivering and he said she'd chosen to stop due to her age. He said that she still loved delivering babies, but felt that as she was getting older that the sleep deprivation of being on call was harder. She felt like she might not be thinking as clearly at 3am as she used to and didn't want to risk making a mistake. (Again, this was according to Dr. Fogelson). He was cute, he added, "I totally understand, but I hope I can always keep delivering. I love it and never want to have to give it up." I saw Zern for some early appointments though... I was totally freaked at my 8w appointment due to bleeding (and a previous loss) and she was SO reassuring and kind. She also was super sympathetic about my morning sickness.
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Thank you so much ladies! I really, really appreciate the suggestions! I am flexible about hospitals at this point - it's hard to think about choosing a doctor AND a hospital
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@katiz: she sounds lovely! I'm not sure how far is too far to travel - right now I think I would rather travel slightly farther for an excellent doctor, but it's tough to say
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@Truth Bombs: I did ask my RE, but he didn't really seem like he wanted to offer specific names. I might call again though and ask since now I have to find someone soon!
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@HappyBluebird: no major hospital preference at this point
What is the practice called? I've been mainly looking in the city and north (Towson area), but Columbia is really just as close -
@lauren0817: Women's OB/Gyn Group. This is their website http://www.womens-obgyn.com/
I picked them because they deliver at St Agnes and that's the hospital closest to my house. (I'm in Baltimore County, to the west of the city). The office is a little further than I want to drive since we go so often but it's not too far from my work which is nice.
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@lychee: I went to Shady Grove as well! To be 100% honest, the Hoffman group is where I am going now and I have been less than impressed. The doctors and staff seem too busy to even take a look at my file and after having to explain that this is an IVF pregnancy and that I had a previous miscarriage (that they saw me for and did my D&C!) about 50 times, I am getting a bit frustrated. I am just worried that there will be some sort of mistake in my care since they seem so rushed. I was also told a few things that are completely inaccurate and that has been really bugging me. I like Mercy and I in general like the doctors, but I am just not sure it's the best practice for me right now. Full disclosure, I am a pretty nervous patient after everything we have been through to get to this point and I have a science/medical background, so I know I probably want a bit more hand-holding than they can really give. I am worried that I won't be really happy anywhere though after having such an amazing experience at SGF (where everyone was always so attentive, kind and professional), so it's a tough call about what to do.
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Thanks @CATOMD00 and @78H2O! CWC is definitely on my short list at this point. I have been scouring the internet for recommendations and they seem to pop up on a lot of message boards.
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@HappyBluebird: Oh awesome - thank you so much! I have come across their practice a few times as well in my internet hunting
It's so hard to make a final decision - right now I have a list of about 3 or 4.
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Has anyone had any experience with Charles Street ObGyn (I think they deliver at GBMC)? That is another name that keeps popping up on other forums/boards. I read a bit about GBMC and the very high C-section rate which does make me a bit nervous.
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@lauren0817: It's definitely hard to make a decision with something so important! I understand needing more hand holding after a loss. Good luck on your search! I'm sure you'll find one who will be able to give you exactly what you need!
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@lauren0817: I'm bummed to hear about your experience with Hoffman & Associates. I plan to go to them for OB care if I get pregnant again (dealing with secondary IF at Shady Grove now), since they delivered my son. I had originally planned a homebirth but ended up with pre-e, PPROM and delivered my son prematurely at 33ish weeks, so I had to go to the hospital. We lived in the city and Mercy has the best NICU, so we went there.
Hoffman's midwives were wonderful and Dr. Mudd took over after my son was born because I had add'l complications and she was great with me during the time she took care of me.
My pediatrician highly recommends Dr. Francisco Rojas at Johns Hopkins OB/GYN in Howard County.
I do NOT recommend Johns Hopkins Signature OB (used to be Mayer, Hogan, Esposito & Assoc). They are a huge ob/gyn mill - you'll wait in the waiting room forever, they rush you through appointments, and treat you like a number. That place made me cry with my first pregnancy, and after the 1st appt I never went back. They were AWFUL (in my experience).
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@HappyBluebird: thank you so much for your kind words! I think I might be overthinking things a bit so I am going to try to make a decision soon
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@ballerinabee: I hope your treatment at SGF goes well and you will be at the OB very soon
What SG office do you go to? I went to Harbor East (Towson on the weekends and for procedures) and I think I got very spoiled by having a small office where I always saw my normal doctor and regular nurse It's funny because I remember reading that SG is so large and impersonal and that was the exact opposite of my experience there.I would definitely say to try the Hoffman group and see what you think. I'm thinking that maybe I have just had bad luck with them since they are very highly recommended! I have already been through about 3 cycles of "oh I'll give them another chance" because I do like Mercy (unfortunately I had a D&C after my miscarriage there and the nurses and staff were so kind to me). At this point I'm just wondering how many more chances I need to give them before I start to feel comfortable there.... I will definitely look into Dr. Rojas as well - thank you!
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@lauren0817: I'm an overthinker too!
But better to over think a decision then to just randomly pick or stay with a practice you don't like!
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@lauren0817: I've been going to the Columbia SG office for office visits and the Rockville office for procedures. I'm going to Rockville for acupuncture now while we wait to start IVF when I change health insurance (Sept at the latest). I feel the same way about SG so far.
As far as Hoffman goes - I think people's opinions of doctors & practices are highly subjective. A lot of it depends on your expectations, needs, wants, and specific one-on-one interactions. Don't feel bad for not liking them when other people do. I work with several women who swear by Signature, and I thought they were horrid. Totally depends on the person. I hope that you find the right fit for you!
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@HappyBluebird: thank you - that is SO true! I am showing my short list to my hubby tonight and hopefully he can help to choose one
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@ballerinabee: So happy to hear you are having a great experience at SGF! I wish I lived closer to Rockville so I could go to acupuncture there
You are so right - it is such a personal decision
Its nice to have recommendations to start with and then I can do my own research from there. I will let you know where I decide to go -
@78h2o: aw I totally get that, she's so wonderful though it's a shame! I really don't think you can go wrong with any of the docs there, though. @lauren0817: I have heard mixed things about Hoffman so I'm not surprised you're not feeling it. Everyone loves GbMC but the c-section rate did turn me away. But, they are also the hospital in the county for high risk, so it makes sense it's higher there. Good luck in your search, I hope you find someone to take great care of you!!
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@catomd00: it makes me feel a lot better to hear you've heard mixed things about the Hoffman group - I was so confused why I wasn't having this wonderful experience that I've heard so many others have had! Yeah the C-section rate is concerning - I am between 2 practices - Charles Street Obgyn (GBMC) and Capital Women's Care (St. Joe's), so I think I will call both practices and ask them a few questions today
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@lauren0817: I go to Charles Street. I really like both of the OBs so far, and all of the office staff. I am not as big a fan of the staff NP, but I won't see her again for the rest of my pregnancy (I'm almost 16 weeks). I really picked them because of convenience, but I also have the most experience with GBMC, so that is where I felt most comfortable. I've had great experiences when they've had to refer me over to the hospital (for an HSG and the first trimester genetic screening).
One thing that may matter: they don't do any ultrasounds or bloodwork there, so those always require me to make a separate appointment. I don't know if that's typical or not, but it surprised me.
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@lady baltimore: thank you so much for sharing your experiences!! It's very helpful to know about the blood work/ultrasound setup - that does sound kinda inconvenient, but I know if I like the drs it would be worth it
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@78h2o and @CATOMD00: Does CWC do ultrasounds and blood work in office? The one thing I really do like about the Hoffman group is they have a small ultrasound machine in the exam room and have done quick ultrasounds at all of my first tri appts so far. Its so reassuring to have there ultrasound checks (I'm coming from my RE where I had us every week!), but of course I want to have a practice that I like and trust
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@lauren0817: cwc has an ultrasound machine. I had my initial 8 week scan there. They do send you to mfm at st. Joes for anatomy scan, nt scan, etc. they don't do blood work in office - there's a labcorp in the building though that I used and like a lot. ( I always just went up after my appt and got the blood work done quickly with no appt.)
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@catomd00: thank you so much for answering my questions! It makes me feel better to know that they have an ultrasound machine just in case. I am still very attached to the reassurance that an ultrasound brings so it makes me nervous to go to an office that doesn't have one on hand if need be
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@lauren0817: sorry I didn't see your question until now. Looks like it's been answered though! They do both transvaginal and abdominal in their Towson office. The Bel Air office does not have an ultrasound machine. They let me come in for ultrasounds with both my daughters when I had spotting around 6-8 weeks, since my first pregnancy ended in miscarriage around 7.5 weeks and I was super anxious.
I really wish you could still see Zern.:.. She would have been perfect... she is so kind and comforting. Fogelson let me get betas though when I was anxious... He's pretty compassionate too. I feel like Dr. duke would also probably be pretty understanding if you were nervous. Good luck!
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@78h2o: thank you so much for answering my questions! I made my appointment today at CWC! The receptionist was very nice and professional so I am already impressed (I had a bad experience with a grumpy receptionist at my current OB a few weeks ago!). I go for my first visit in 2 weeks
I will see the midwife for my initial visit and then can meet the drs.
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@lauren0817: I hope it works out well! The only doctor that I didn't love who delivers is Dr. B. - Dr. Fogelson joked that she scares him as she is ex-military (or maybe comes from a military family) so she's strict! (ETA: he said this in the context of estimating baby weights - he said he always overestimates because he doesn't want to get "in trouble" with Dr. B for underestimating baby size, as he's afraid of her, lol). I only saw her once and she she was totally fine, just matter of fact and not super conversational. However, a friend of mine who sees her said she's super smart and has a good sense of humor.
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@78h2o: haha that's pretty funny! I guess she's probably calm under pressure though
thanks again for your helpful advice!
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@lauren0817: happy to help! I hope you have a good experience. Everyone was very nice and for the most part, the office is pretty quick getting you in and out.
Fogelson delivered my first, and Duke my second. I really like both of them.
But better to over think a decision then to just randomly pick or stay with a practice you don't like!
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