I am searching for an alternative to Abbott/MN Perinatal Phys for my pregnancy. I'm an older mom and "high risk". Has anyone out there tried the Fairview U of M group for a high risk pregnancy? If so, was it a good experience? With my last baby I spent alot of time at Abbott and I found it depressing. The rooms are old and dreary from the 1970's and not the most cheerful atmosphere. Also, a few of the perinatologists there are rude, condescending, and uncaring. Terrible experience. Any advise would be helpful!
Dr. Marcus out of Fairview Southdale is fabulous. Deals with a lot of older/high risk ladies. Everyone in his office was professional and kind. Highly recommend him.
I used the midwives at Fairview Riverside Women's clinic for my pregnancies. Both times I got very sick -- pregnancy induced hypertension -- and care was transferred to the OB's at the clinic. My children were born at Fairview Riverside and the NICU there is terrific. Most of the nurses in the maternity ward were terrific, too.
I recommend both the clinic and the hospital.
Since you said any advice would be helpful, I am going to suggest going with a midwife group who are hospital affiliated. I found the Health East midwives to be excellent. I birthed at St. Joseph, which was a lovely experience. Other staff (ultrasound,nursing, etc.) were very professional. What is nice about hospital-affiliated midwives is that you get the best of both worlds: compassionate care from women who are more body-centered and less medical-intervention oriented, but you also will birth in a hospital with the option for medical intervention should it become necessary (and they will refer to OB for any medical issues they don't cover during your pregnancy). If I have another baby I, too, will be considered "high risk" and I absolutely would not hesitate to return to HealthEast. Doulas I spoke with before my daughter was born strongly counseled me against Fairview, as they cited it is quick to "force" birth if you don't give birth on their "schedule.... "
Congratulations, and I hope you have a better experience this time!
PS--I live in Minneapolis and didn't find it too much of a hassle to go to St. Paul for appts and birth....
I delivered with two different OBs at the Fairview U of M group, and I liked all of them. I was not high risk, though I did need to see a neocardiologist for a heart rhythm concern when I was about 30 weeks. I delivered at Riverside as well, and I don't think it was the most luxurious of rooms but we were well taken care of and the NICU is top notch. I had a friend who's baby was born at 24 weeks and they took the best care of her and the baby. I would recommend it.
.
