I delivered 17 weeks ago. They were great and would reccomend. I go to the other practice (Dr Bernardini) she was AWESOME. Spent 2 hours with me and I delivered with no tears or episiotimy (9lb baby- my first)
I never think it is too late to change doctors!
I also moved here when I was pregnant with my 3rd child (I was 28 weeks.) I chose to deliver downtown at Pennsylvania Hospital because I didn't want to choose Bryn Mawr Hospital, and I was having a really hard time finding a doctor at Lankenau. My doctor downtown is Leslie Renbaum and I LOVE her. Pennsylvania hospital is an amazing hospital with a top rate neo-natal unit, so I decided the drive was worth it. I had a great experience and will go back there if I ever have another.
Good luck and welcome to the area!
I just delivered at Bryn Mawr on the 31st of Jan with my second child. I really like it alot. All the nurses and staff are awsome. I also delivered with Bryn Mawr Womens health assoc. With my first pregnancy I wasn't to sure about them. But I stuck with them and have been really impressed the second time around. They really know what the'yre doing. Even though sometimes it may seems like the bed side manner of some of them is a little abrupt. I've seen them all. In the last half of my preg I mainly saw Dr Abder. She had a baby on the same day as me:) she was really great helped me get through some tough stuff, and put me in touch with people at the post pardom stress center. Give them some more time, your bound to find a least one of the docs there that you can connect with, and then stick with her. Dr Burns has also been my doc since I moved here in 2000. At first she's all buisness but as you see her more and more she warms up and is quite nice.
Your 33 weeks now I'd just stick with it. Unless of course your really unhappy.
best of luck
I delivered at Bryn Mawr hospital back in the 90's thinking I would get a more "natural" delivery. It felt more like a surgical one. They had you all strapped up, IV in one arm, Automatic BP cuff on the other (left a bruise, since you are tensing the muscle while pushing at the same time it compresses your arm), the baby monitor around the abdomen, etc. You couldn't move. When it's time to push, they pull all this equipment out with surgical lights above and you are made to deliver in stirrups (the bed morphs so that your legs are elevated and spread apart. You are not allowed anything by mouth (so you get to starve). The room looks nice until they do all this. Not natural at all! They are in control, what you want is unimportant. (or important as long as its in their parameters)
I delivered my next two babies around the corner from the hospital at the Bryn Mawr Birth center. What a pleasant experience! They let you pick what you want to do, how you want to deliver, they have REAL bedrooms and you can have any family members you want (even siblings) present while giving birth. If you have other children, they can relax in the family room, watch videos or go to sleep while you are just laboring along. You are allowed to eat if you like, they have a kitchen that can be used to store and cook foods, you can labor at the dinner table and go to the bedroom only when you feel the need to push. I relaxed with friends and family members around the dinner table, laughing and joking and every once in a while, gripping my abdomen during a cramp. I was amazed at my matter-of-fact attitude compared with my terror of the first delivery. I think because they empower you to do what YOU think is best makes all the difference in the world. I didn't think I could do completely natural until I was with these midwives. On all the monthly check-ups, they spent 1/2 hour with me! I got to do my own weigh-ins and urine dips. I handled my own chart and could look through it all I wanted. They come to your house afterwards to check on you and do the heel-stick on the baby (for mandatory blood tests). Such personal Care! never got that with an OB! You can also transfer to the local hospital if there are any problems. But they are happy to discuss this at length over the phone with you and you can visit for a tour (for free, doctors wouldn't be interviewed unless I made a full appointment and paid for it!). I was so impressed and loved having my mother at my side, that I wasn't scared at all! And the build up in the intensity of contractions is much easier to take laughing and joking with friends and family. You won't have that at a hospital. My oldest was allowed to cut the cord and there were no episiotomies! (avoid them at all costs - TRUST ME)Doctors will tell you only that they make the decision on whether to do an episiotomy at the moment the head presents itself. Well, the decision is always the same. I know. I used to deliver babies with Doctors and with Midwives during my medical training and the doctors ALWAYS grabbed the scissors and the Midwives NEVER did.
My sister-in-law used the Midwives at Lankenau with her last child since she was in her fourties and considered a higher risk. I don't remember if she had the same freedoms as she had at the Birth Center.
Hi, I had a great experience at Bryn Mawr and Craparo actually delivered my son even though I was not using that practice...My delivery was super quick, but everything went smoothly and the nurses were wonderful!!
Hi Julie,
I delivered both my kids at Bryn Mawr Hospital. My first was 4 years ago and second only 5 months ago. I was very happy with the staff for both deliveries. The rooms aren't as updated as another hospital i toured (in jersey). It made me feel comfortable they would provide the best care for my baby being they have the NICU. I use Mainline OBGYN in Rosemont. Also, we lived in Jersey for a year and a half. I moved when i was 8 months pregnant with no problems switching doctors/hospitals that late. Feel free to email me if you have any questions about Bryn Mawr or Mainline OBGYN.
Hi,
I delivered both of my boys at Bryn Mawr. I had an OK time w/the first (Crapero delivered me-she wasn't my favorite) and a great experience w/the second (Bernardini delivered me and I LOVE her & would recommend her to anyone)! Most of the nurses were nice and helpful. Bernardini is w/the other practice that delivers at Bryn Mawr-she is great but can be hard at times to see b/c she is so popular.
Hope this helps and good luck!
Julie,
I was a patient of Bryn Mawr Women's health for my last pregnancy. I was seeing Dr. Craparo late in my pregnancy and didn't get the "warm and fuzzies" from her either. Also, she was ALWAYS running late. Any appointments I could I tried to schedule with Tara, she was the nurse practicioner then. I am not sure if she is still there (I had to change doctors because of my insurance) but she was great. I was also nervous about Bryn Mawr hospital, so your nervousness is ok. When I was there for my c-section and a few days after, however, I had a great experience. Dr. Craparo did a wonderful job with my c-section, she was much more personable in the hospital than in her office for some reason, and there were no complications. One of the nurses said that her attention to patients in the hospital was why she was often running late at the office. Also, I spent a few days in the hospital because of my c-section, and as a result so did my daughter. The nurses on the maternity floor were wonderful. They brought her to me when I needed or wanted her, and they were more than happy to take her to the nursery if I needed some sleep. They were very attentive to the pain medication schedule and I ended up having a really good experience, despite my initial concern. Good luck with the new addition, and I hope all goes well no matter what you decide.
It sounds like everyone has a different story... :) So you never really know what to expect, I guess. I delivered at Bryn Mawr 8 years ago and it was a wonderful experience. I've been raving about it since. I felt well cared for and would definitely go back again. (I also had thyroid surgery there and was very satisfied.) I had a c-section and was there five days, they said I could go home earlier but I didn't want to leave since I was so comfortable there (I think someone else said the same thing)! I also lucked out and had my own room the whole time, not sure how that happened but it was great. I was with a different practice though, and Dr Manfrey delivered my daughter.
Basically, one of my close friends delivered both of children at Bryn Mawr Hospital and she had no complaints. I delivered both of my children at Lankenau and LOVED my experiences. If you decide to change your doctor, I would highly recommend Dr. Laveran in Lawrence Park (Dr. Rudo is good as well).
Hi Julie -
I delivered three children at Bryn Mawr and had a very good experience and the nurses were great! My youngest child is almost three. I also use Bryn Mawr Women's Health Associates and I understand how you feel about them not being warm and fuzzy. Dr. Burns delivered my first and she was really great, Dr. Zeidman delivered my second and she was really good too, and a covering doctor delivered my third. I have also heard good experiences from Lankenau...Good Luck j
Hi Julie, Stay where you are. These people are very competent. I was involved first hand on their training. You do not want a hand holder but rather someone that knows what to do when something changes or needs immediate attention. These are the people. You will not be sorry. Good luck.
I was followed through the Birth Center but ended up having a C cection at Bryn Mawr Hospital and was overall very pleased with my experience. My sister in law delivered her two children at Lankenau and raves about her experience there. I think you will be in good hands either way. Trust your gut and go with that. Best of Luck
I delivered my twins at Bryn Mawr, and was so happy with my experience that I went back there with my 7 month old even though we now live closer to Abington Hospital. I delivered with Castelli/Hirschman, and love that practice. I worked at Bryn Mawr, and many of the maternity nurses use the same practice. If there is a a doctor you absolutely love at Lankenau, than switch if it would make you more comfortable, but Bryn Mawr is as great a hospital as Lankenau.
Hi Julie-
I delivered at Bryn Mawr and loved it. I had thought about Lakenau earlier in my pregnancy and had one visit and it seemed too big, too city like. The nurses were great at Bryn Mawr. My doctors are Main Lines Women Health at 610-525-3225. I liked all of them but one!
My son actually came a month early and he had to be in the NIC Unit at Bryn Mawr for a few days. All of the doctors and nurses were so on top of the delivery and then the care for him. The one doctor in the NIC Unit- Dr Ritterman was fabulous. He treated my son with more care then I could have ever asked for. He even had us come to the NIC unit for a followup blood draw then wait downstairs in the outpatient. I definitely recommend the hospital. GOOD LUCK!
I delivered my 2nd child there, in 3/06 with the same practice. I also happen to know someone that works in that office. The Dr.s bedside manner is not the best, i did not get the warm and fuzzies from them either, but they are great doctors, medically speaking. Burns and caparo are especially. It is usually a long wait in the office to see them, but can be worth it if you want someone a little more involved.
I didn't have any problems with Bryn Mawr hospital, but it wasn't warm and fuzzy either. The nurses in the delivery room were ok. I guess on a scale of 1 to 10 I would give it an 8.
I had an extreme preemie (1 lb 10 oz @ 26 weeks)in Lankanau in November....EXCELLENT HOSPITAL! I highly recommend Dr Carlson for Delivery, Dr. Gerson was my Doctor before Delivery....Dr. Kaplan was the NICU Dr....etc...all good, extremely professional yet attentive!!! Good luck! p.s. she is almost 11 lbs and home...perfectly healthy!!! Carol T
I am currently at Bryn Mawr Women's Health. I am also new to the area. I live in Haverford. I am 16 weeks pregnant with my third child. I am definitely changing OBGYN's. I got such the cold shoulder from Dr. Burns. I hate it there. I can't wait to find a new wonderful OB. Please let me know how your search is coming. I am willing to deliver at Bryn Mawr or Lankenau. Want to meet for lunch one day?