Moving to Lucas 7 Mo. Preggers, Need a Ob/gyn-preferably a Woman Doc.

My only piece of advice for you is not to deliver out of the McKinney Hospital. (Read my review of the hospital if you want specifics.)

This time around I am driving all the way to Baylor Frisco to deliver!

Are you willing to drive to Plano? My OBGYN's office is WONDERFUL! They are at 15th Street/Coit across the skywalk from Medical Center of Plano. My dr is Dr. Jean Ferrara, very kind, informative, and makes you feel very comfortable. Their office houses 4 female OBGYNs, and is called Associated Women's Healthcare. I started seeing Dr. Ferrara a few months after I gave birth to my 5 yr old in 2002(changed docs because of location), and have been with her since. We are currently "trying" for a second child and am looking forward to being in their care.

I go to Dr. Bruce Rajala at Allen Presby and love him! He's very nice and gentle. I know someone that had her son delivered by him and she also loves him. His office is at the hospital office buildings on 75.

Hi H.,

Close to Lucas is North Central Health Partners in McKinney. (www.ncwhp.com) Dr. Jennifer Allen delivered all three of my children and I consider her a personal friend. She's the best there is. I don't know if she's accepting new patients, but it's absolutely worth a shot. The only male in the entire office is the guy who takes care of their IT system. The office is great. Sometimes the wait time is long....but it really is worth it. ###-###-#### is their number.

The one downside is that they do deliver at the McKinney hospital. They've just started delivering also at Centennial in Frisco. I've delivered at both hospitals. GO TO CENTENNIAL!!!!!! :) (It's really not that far of a drive.)

Good luck! And for the record, I started with Dr. Allen when I was 8 months preggers with my first. She's FANTASTIC! Tell her M. said hi!!!

Hi H.....my ob is awesome...she's in Richardson though which i don't think is too far from Lucas. Her name is Dr. Alisa Ward. I am also 7mo prego...3rd child...second one that dr ward has delivered. She is affiliated with Richardson Regional which is amazing. Private decked out room!!! Lemme know if you want her number.

Mar

Dr. Carol Norton or Dr. Alisa Ward (partners) at Richardson Regional Medical Center- Campbell @ Central. I had both my kids there and had a great experience! Awesome doctors and office!

Good Luck!

I have another option for you. Have you considered using a midwife? Before you skip over this response assuming I'm some kind of hippie, hear me out! I used an OB/GYN who was incredible out of Plano Presby. Great hospital if you have no regard for giving birth without medication. I had decided with our second to go as long as possible without medication, and it was amazing what lack of support existed from the nursing staff.

After that experience we decided we didn't want to go back to that hospital. Unfortunately my OB didn't deliver any where close, so he actually suggested meeting with a midwife to see what we thought.

We met and decided to go with Jeanean Carter, now with North Central Women's Health Partners. She was amazing. Generally speaking an OB will check in with you and be there in the end to "catch" the baby. The biggest difference with a midwife is she is there as a rule from the time you are dilated to 5 cm to the end! Even if you plan to have an epidural, I feel a midwife is still an amazing choice.

I am currently due any minute/day. I see Aliza Chkaiban at Craig-Ranch OB/GYN. The comforting thing for me with both Aliza and Jeanean is they both function out of an OB/GYN office and deliver in the hospital. So you have all the options of a regular OB/GYN, but the unique support of a midwife. Aliza delivers at Allen Presby and McKinney. Jeanean currently only delivers in McKinney.

Allen Presby is a fairly new hospital and if I new I were at risk for a complicated delivery and/or might need a good NICU, I might consider a more established place such as Plano Medical Center. However, I am very low-risk and the setting at Allen Presby is one I have not heard/seen anywhere else. The baby literally never leaves your room if you don't want him/her to. My husband and our other two boys were even able to help give our last child her first bath(there in the room...they specially designed their sinks for this purpose). The rooms are LDRP, meaning you never have to change during your entire stay. And, they just put in a hydrotherapy tub in one of the rooms to use during labor.

Sorry this turned out to be such a long email. I know making a decision about your OB/GYN is a very difficult one. I do agree with the other response that said to interview people. We definitely did that.

Good luck and keep an open mind! You might surprise yourself with where you end up! (My husband says he wouldn't have me go back to an OB if someone paid us! I just wish I would have known the true story of the midwife back with my first child!

LOVE my Ob-Gyn...Dr. Kelli Watkins at Presbyterian Plano (there is also a Presbyterian-Dallas). I was extremely high risk and she saw me through. She is younger...has elementary school age kids. Very caring and gentle and has a great bed-side manner. Her wait time is minimal. I am EXTREMELY selective about my doctors and I am not afraid to change. I have been with her for more then 6 years and I'm spoiled...I wouldn't see anyone else.

Bit of advice...don't be afraid to call the doctors you are considering and talk to them on the phone or at least their staff...anyone worth it will make the time to talk with you. Find someone you are comfortable with.

Also, my personal opinion is that you should avoid delivering in McKinney. I'm sure some people are fans of that hospital but I have heard very little good about it. Presby Plano has a good reputation as does Presby Dallas. I have several friends who delivered at Medical City-Plano and had excellent experiences as well.

Good luck!