Anyone Had Experience with Valley Women for Women?

I am 15 weeks and Have been going to them for this preganacy. So far so good! They have everything in house (Lab, ultrasound)which is very convienient, especially when you have a littleone with you at you appointments. You see all the doctors in the practice and will be delivered bu the on call Dr.. So far I have had a very positive experience at Valley Women for Women!

Good Luck!
P.S. New office opens in June

Hi H.,

I had a HORRIBLE experience with Valley Women for Women, and I encourage you to find a different group of doctors. In my experience, the NP was the worst, I was sick and she joked at how low my blood sugar was and that she couldn't "find" my blood pressure. To make a long story short, I ended up going to the ER because I didn't feel my baby move for two hours and the doctors and triage nurse blew me off and said I had a stomach bug... I was flown out of Mercy Gilbert within hours, and my baby was taken via cesarean because I was having liver failure (known as Acute Fatty Liver of Pregnancy – AFLP, which should have been caught in the early states had I been seen by a competent doctor). I had an internal bleed, followed by a second surgery and 14 days in a comatose state. If you would like more details please PM me.

I really wanted to deliver at Mercy Gilbert because it is a beautiful hospital - which in retrospect is the wrong reason. There are many great hospitals and doctors in the valley, I encourage you to get a good referral (and I can refer my new OB/GYN who is an MD - only one of the docs at VWFW is an MD).

You don't realize what an important decision your prenatal care is until you can look back at an experience like I had and wish, and wish, and wish that you had been in the care of better doctors. Thank God the doctors who took care of me at Good Sam and St. Joe's were wonderful, and saved my life.

Oh, and by the way, VWFW never even bothered to follow up with me after I was released from the hospital. I did however follow up with them; I wrote a very heartfelt letter regarding their insufficient care. I don't know why they are even doctors - they are booked to the minute and obviously only in it for the money.

Hello H.,My experience with VMforW are great. My Dr. Belisle (I think, ramdon thinking. she is great. I have had a great experience with. I see lots of women going there. I am also very happy that they have a tech to do an sonagram on the premises,etc. I hope I helped you.

I LOVE Valeey Women for Women, they have been great with me. I have been going for 3 years now, they delivered my son 2 years ago. I see anyone of the 3 doctors there, mostly Vanekeen or Adams, but Belilse is great too.
How you can enjoy them as much as I do! My sister and sister in law all go to the group.
Best of luck!

Hi H.,

After having a horrible experience with my previous OBGYN, I got some referrals and switched to Valley Women for Women with Dr. Adams. I absolutely LOVE her - however I had some issues with the rest of the office. I agree with the other response about lots of expensive testing. My baby was measuring big (my first son was almost 10 lbs, so this wasn't a surprise), but they made me have an ultrasound about every month - and then when I was about 2 months out, I had ultrasounds every other week! It was crazy! Talk about lots of medical bills! I wish I had known better to say something and let them know that I really didn't feel the need for that many ultrasounds. Since I ended up having to have a C-section (baby was measuring about 10 lbs at 36 weeks) - I was lucky that Dr. Adams did the surgery. She was SO wonderful and caring. I did see everyone else in the office during other visits (doctors and PA's), and I had mixed feelings. Because I'm a larger woman, EVERY time I went in, whoever I was seeing would want to check my blood sugar levels and my blood pressure. I NEVER had high blood pressure, and all of my blood sugar tests had come back normal. Yet they still made me take the 4 hour blood sugar test... I also only gained about 20 lbs with my second pregnancy and they still gave me a hard time about watching my blood pressure and blood sugars. My 2nd son was born completely healthy at 10 lbs. 9 oz. Anyway - before I chose Valley Women for Women, I was looknig into a male doctor with his own office (can't remember his name). Since I wanted a female doctor, I chose VWFW, however if I knew I was going to be able to deliver vaginally again, I would have chosen the other office. I hated not knowing who would be delivering my baby. Hope this helps!

Admittedly, my choices are limited since I simply must go to a woman OB. But, I've delivered 1 baby with Goodman and Partridge (3 yrs ago-Dr. Adams delivered), then 2 babies with VWWW (Dr. Van Eken did one and Dr. Adams did one). My most recent one was 12/31/07. So, I have been there recently but only twice in 2008. They do encourage you to make appointments ahead of time, especially if you really want to see a dr. They are busy and I never had to make a last-minute appt, so I always was fine with who I saw (I would always refuse to see Holly though). Dr. Adams does an absolutely great job. She is with you throughout the labor and is always very concerned and cautious with possible complications or sympomts. She was soooooooo on top of my hi blood pressure in preg #1 even though I had no symptoms. They are very accommodating at the end and listening to what you need - willing to discuss an induction (I never opted for one b/c I prefer natural deliveries). To be honest, I wasn't as impressed with Dr. Van Eken. My stitches didn't heal well and she wasn't there with me throughout. Anyways, there are definitely pluses and minuses, but the Mercy Gilbert hospital has always been great and I've been pleased enough to stay with VWWW, but displeased enough where I've looked around for a woman OB that delivers at one of the newer hospitals (all of them are closer to me). I haven't found anyone I think would be better so I'll probably be sticking with them next time.

H.,
I don't know why but for some reason VWWW charge a lot more to your insurance. Mine only covered 80% after my deductible. I had an at risk pregnancy but they couldn't ever tell me why I had to have an ultrasound every time and also did it in 3-D which I had to pay more for.
I hated Holly, she never listened to me. Some other lady I(I forget her name she was new) was TRYING to tell me why I needed a CS. Trying is the key word, I asked several questions and she couldn't answer any of them. I walked out that day and told her I didn't think she paid attention in school and she wasn't paying attention now. I rescheduled to see Dr. Adams since I didn't want to completely change that late. By the 7th month the only people I would see were Dr. Adams and her PA Jennifer - they should work at a different practice. But, I ended up having and emergency CS and some crazy doctor at Mercy Gilbert did it. She was crazy but AWESOME!!!!
Point of story, if you want a certain doc to be there for your delivery don't go to VWWW. They cannot tell you who will deliver your baby. Also, they never even followed up with me. They couldn't care less about the patient, only the money. If you choose to go then watch the billing and how many tests they run.
I would NEVER go back there.
K.

Hi H.! I'm a 43 yr old first time mom who had a wonderful experience with this practice. I was pleased with all of the docs and their staff. My daughter was born in 7/07 at Mercy Gilbert and we were glad we selected this hospital as well. If you need any additional info, please let me know.

I just went to them for my annual check up (that I hadn't had in over two years!). I've been experiencing pain during intercouse (sorry if that too much info, but it's part of the response), so I really wanted a good check up. I saw Jennifer, the PA, the first time, and she was great. She seemed concerned and determined to find out what was going on. When I went back for the ultrasound/results, I saw Holly, another PA. I did NOT care for her at all. She totally blew me off, and recommended BC since she said it was "probably" only a small cyst causing the pain. When I told her that I was still nursing and asked if the "ring" (the bc she recommended) was safe for nursing moms, she said, "I would assume so." Assume???? I felt like crying! I left there with no answers, an assumption that BC would help and be safe (which I researched on my OWN and found out it is NOT safe for breastfeeding moms), and I'm still in pain. Anyway, that was my experience--maybe you'll have a better one.

Hi H.,
I'm due in June with my second child and made the switch to Valley Women for Women with this pregnancy as my last OBGYN's office was in Tempe and used to be close to my place of work, but then I moved offices to downtown. So I decided to change Dr's as I live near Chandler Regional and they were scheduled to also open a new office next to that hospital as well. To be perfectly honest, I'm REALLY regretting that I made the switch. First of all, the office they were going to have built next to Chandler Regional fell through, so I've been forced to drive all the way to their Gilbert office on Baseline and Gilbert road for the duration of my pregnancy. This has been a huge burden (with high gas $, etc.), but they kept telling me it would be another month, then another month and now finally, it's not happening at all...
Secondly, since I've been going there (I'm almost 34 weeks pregnant) I've seen a different practioner every single time. I feel as if I know no one and that I'm just in a big cattle prod. Let me be clear that in no way have I been mistreated, but they really don't seem to care too much and mostly I've felt that they can't get me out of the room fast enough when I am there for my appointments. I was excited to go to a place where there were only women practioners and really thought that I would have a more enriching experience. I truly wish I had stayed with my previous OBGYN where he was the only practioner with a female nurse practioner. I only saw him and he was the one that delivered my first baby. By the end of the pregnancy, I knew everyone in the office and they were all very kind. I have no idea who will actually deliver my baby with this office and really it doesn't even matter, as I don't feel as if I have a connection with any of them. So incredibly disappointing. I've heard that Dr. Partridge's office is sort of the same way (a lot of Dr's), so perhaps you may not mind this system as much. I actually wish that I had chosen their office instead if I knew I was going to see so many different Dr's. At least is would have been closer to my home! Hopes this helps and good luck to you!

I also used Dr. Partridge's office when delivering my now 3-yo son and at that time Dr. Van Eiken (sp?) was working there. She now opened the new office of Valley Women for Women with some collegues. I have yet to go there, but I definitely would recommend her. She is wonderful and very kind.

Hello H.,
I delivered at Mercy Gilbert with Dr Clint Leonard-He's very kind, and intelligent. If you check out his website you can see all the honors he received in his degree. Office at Lindsey and Pecos
www.morningstarobgyn.com
I've also heard excellent reviews of Dr David Kells-Also delivers at MG Office at Dobson and Frye.
Dr Stephen Eddy-not at MG Dobson and Frye
My mom is a midwife and these are the three top OBGYNS she works with.
Good Luck!
-C.

I am begging you, please do not go to Valley Women for Women for obstetric care! I changed doctors when I was in my 34th week because we were soo unhappy! They only schedule you for visits with PA's. I was high risk and saw an actual doctor ONCE, and I think that was during my 16th week. Despite my many attempts to see the OB, I was never scheduled with one. I got chicken pox in my 3rd trimester and I still couldnt get in with the doctor.

Seriously, tell everyone you know. Avoid Valley Women for Women. And if you do decide to stay, ask for Lori Driggs. I firmly believe that she is the only PA who has a clue but remember she wont be there for your delivery. I saw Holly and Jennifer too but both of them TOGETHER could not diagnose chicken pox!

Hello,
I have had a good experience with VWFW. I love the Docs. Dr. Adams delivered my daughter and Dr.Muniz delivered my son(both C-Sect)at Mercy Gilbert. I have also seen Dr. Belisle and Dr. Van Eken and would have been happy to have either one of them deliver my kids. I agree that the office is very busy and you do not get to see a Dr. every visit-unless you specifically request one, however I felt the PA's and nurses were more than capable of addressing my questions and concerns. I love the fact that you can blood work and ultrasounds in the office. I would definately recommend this practice having had a bad experience with a male OB/GYN, I feel VWFW is a youthful, supportive, and well trained group of female doctors that made me feel safe in their care!

South Gilbert Office:

1) The two times my daughter has been to this practice she has NOT been seen by a doctor. She will not be back and does NOT recommend this practice.

I am an R.N. and I would NOT recommend this practice either. I was very disappointed in the staff and very disappointed with the whole experience of this office visit and the follow up. I found the staff that we encountered at the front desk unprofessional, rude and insensitive. Anna (R.N.) was also indifferent, very rude, unprofessional and insensitive.

2) Front Desk - I went with my daughter to her appointment. It was scheduled because of a possible miscarriage. She had three positive home pregnancy tests prior to the onset of heavy bleeding. I was there with her at this appointment.

Upon arrival, went to the front desk for check-in, at ‘NO TIME’ did the clerk taking her information tell her there was to be a urine sample test to be obtained. Before being called to exam room, she had to use the office bathroom.

When my daughter was called to exam room, I went in with her. She was asked by the tech if she had a urine sample, she did not. Physician Assistant came in, also asked if she had urine sample taken. The Physician Assistant, was a little taken back when my daughter told her that no one at front desk asked or told her to give one. PA did tell us the front desk person should have told her one was needed. The Physician Assistant then continued on with her questions. During this time the Physician Assistant Jennifer did tell my daughter that she would need blood work on two consecutive days and that the blood work results taken that day (a Friday) would be ‘in’ on Monday and that she personally would call my daughter on Monday with the results. She also explained that the Monday blood test results would be ‘in’ on Tuesday and she would call then as well with comparisons.

Monday June 21, 2010 my daughter arrived for the second blood test (HCG level) as directed by the Physician Assistant Jennifer . At the front desk she asked about the Friday test results and was told by a staff person at front desk that it takes 7-10 days for results --- another wrong piece of information by staff at front desk. My daughter then requested to speak to Physician Assistant Jennifer and was told she doesn’t have an appointment and can’t speak to her.

At this time another staff member named ‘Anna’ an R.N. came out and took her to a room and tersely told her, ‘you don’t have an appointment’ and ‘your test results were negative’. My daughter asked what that meant, negative? Anna said ‘you’re not pregnant’. My daughter said, 'I know that, I'm having a miscarriage' and asked for more details and an explanation about the results. This staff person Anna (R.N.) said the “test was a 4”. Daughter asked what that meant. The staff member Anna raised her voice and said “a four…four”, held up 4 fingers in my daughters face and repeated it three times. My daughter had never seen this person before for anything. My daughter then told Anna she had three positive home pregnancy tests. This woman ‘Anna’ told her, ‘you probably did it wrong’. My daughter was stunned and upset to be treated with such harshness and insensitivity and asked to speak to the Office Manager. Joan came in and tried to do some explaining. Not good.

There is absolutely no excuse for the rudeness, insensitivity and pure disregard for a patient’s emotions and feelings as was exhibited by these people. I doubt if the doctors in this practice know how patients and families are being treated.

I see other comments on other sites from unhappy patients that had gone to this practice.

I would NOT recommend this practice.

I used VWFW and was very pleased with my experience. They rotate doctors so you see different ones each time. When it comes time to deliver, one of them will be there. I like that because I didn't want to have some stranger deliver my baby. I always had good "customer service" and I thought the office was very comfortable. If we get pregnant again, I will go with them.

(Dr. Belisle delivered my baby and was waiting for me when I got to the hospital. Great bedside manner and made me feel very comfortable throughout.)

Hey H.!

I love these guys!!! Typically when you go in you see PA's (physician assistants) but they are all really nice except for Holly Todd...she is just a little rough for me and not very social and my fav. PA is Jennifer Murphy! The drs are usually so BUSY that you only see them for big appts or by request and you have to book it in advance so what I did was make all my appts my 2nd or 3rd visit that way I knew I could get the time and the person I wanted. Everyone works together there and whoever is on call is who delivers your baby so you get to meet all the drs and you may be able to request a certain dr but it is unlikely. Dr. Belisle was my fav dr but Dr. Adams ended up delivering my baby via repeat C section and she did an OUTSTANDING job!!!! I was so impressed! We are going to start trying for #3 and I am so happy that they are opening that Gilbert office cuz I am 2 sec. away noW! I hope this helps!!!
T.

I went to this practice for all of my prenatal care and delivery of my 1st child- and my experience was a nightmare. Throughout the prenatal care I felt like the doctors I saw were always rushed and never really got to know me. I actually preferred seeing their NPs as they spent more time answering questions and providing education.
Then, I unfortunately had life-threatening complications during my delivery. Without getting into a lot of detail, it took Dr. Van Eken far too long to find out what was wrong (a simple ultrasound was needed) before she performed surgery. After surgery, she told me everything was fine, to come back in six weeks for a standard check-up, and then never followed up. I called her a few times in the next couple of weeks due to complications, and she brushed off my concerns as usual recovery. Well, a couple weeks later I developed a massive infection and it turns out the initial surgery was never completed properly. I had to see another doctor to have the same surgery repeated and they were shocked at how much was missed.
What makes me so angry is that every time I brought up my concerns about my symptoms, Dr. Van Eken made it seem like I was over-reacting. Instead, she should have followed up with my care, especially after a major medical procedure. I am furious with the care this practice provided during and after the birth of my child. I would warn anyone against using Valley Women for Women and recommend that they use a smaller practice where they will know exactly who will be delivering their child.