| Author | Message | ||
     Newneighbor Citizen Username: Newneighbor Post Number: 2 Registered: 3-2003 |
New to Maplewood and in need of an ob/gyn. I have heard that St. Barnabas is the best facility. For all of those pregnant women out there, can any of you recommend an ob/gyn in practice with St.B's? Also, do you prefer a male or a female ob? Any commentary on St. B's and an ob/gyn would be MOST appreciated! | ||
| #9Dream Citizen Username: 9dream Post Number: 189 Registered: 12-2002  |
I'm not a woman but my wife and I recently had a baby. Our ob/gyn was Dr. Fred Silverberg in Chatham. He was great. If he takes your insurance I highly recommend him. | ||
| 3mom Citizen Username: 3mom Post Number: 78 Registered: 5-2001 |
I had one child at Overlook and one at St. Barnabas and my Overlook experience was far superior. I thought the St. Barnabas staff were short tempered and snippy, and they were incredibly rude to my roomate who had elected not to breastfeed her baby. My OB at Overlook, and now, is Alice Gibbons at Summit Medical and I like her quite a bit, though her practice is too big. I had different insurance with the St. Barnabas baby and I really disliked the OB who delivered her. The one doctor in the practice that I did like retired 2 months before she was born. | ||
| Wendyn Citizen Username: Wendyn Post Number: 39 Registered: 9-2002 |
I had a baby at Overlook (going for #2 in May) and heard that it was a better "baby" hospital as well. You ALWAYS have a private room (I think you sometimes share at St Barnabas). My dd was in the NICU for 12 days and the staff there was great and very patient with me as I practically moved in. I use the Summit Medical Center's OBs as well (Gibbons is one of them - she actually delivered me). Used Dr. Levy last time and using Dr. Wahlen (who is based out of Short Hills) now and very happy. | ||
| Wendyn Citizen Username: Wendyn Post Number: 40 Registered: 9-2002 |
I had a baby at Overlook (going for #2 in May) and heard that it was a better "baby" hospital as well. You ALWAYS have a private room (I think you sometimes share at St Barnabas). My dd was in the NICU for 12 days and the staff there was great and very patient with me as I practically moved in. I use the Summit Medical Center's OBs as well (Gibbons is one of them - she actually delivered me). Used Dr. Levy last time and using Dr. Wahlen (who is based out of Short Hills) now and very happy with both. Only caveat is that SMC has around 10 OB's and you never know who is going to deliver you. My delivery (hate to say it) was a breeze so it wasn't an issue. | ||
| phyllis Citizen Username: Phyllis Post Number: 135 Registered: 6-2001 |
I had some minor complications with my delivery at St. Barnabas but nonetheless had a great experience. I thought the L&D nurses were mostly great, a few were just okay. I found the interns to be a little snippy, but I figured they work pretty insane hours. I haven't heard major horror stories from either place the women I know here. St. Barnabas is bigger, Overlook more of a quiet, private place. I've heard of doctors saying St. B's is the ONLY place to deliver, and others who have said St. B's is great for everything EXCEPT delivering. I just switched to Dr. Hamilton so I can't recommend quite yet. I used to go to Dr. Bridges who was wonderfully personable, but the wait at her office was often 2+ hours. | ||
| redY67 Citizen Username: Redy67 Post Number: 11 Registered: 2-2003 |
I would definitely find a doctor from Overlook as well. I had my first at Barnabas and the second at Overlook. Overlook has 95% private rooms, and the experience was far more outstanding. My doctor was Dr. Marguiles/Sofer. They are great if they take your insurance. I was unfortunately dropped and am looking for a new OB/GYN as well! | ||
| deborahg Citizen Username: Deborahg Post Number: 520 Registered: 5-2001  |
I had my youngest at St. B -- Tammy Hamilton was my ob/gyn, I recommend her HIGHLY. It does suck that St. B has no private rooms (that's right: NONE), and Overlook does. Flip side is, if you are in any way high risk (twins, over 40, previa, breech, etc. etc.), St. B has better equipment and more experienced staff. My support staff were great, as were the delivery rooms--it's just afterwards when your roommate has 12 relatives and a boom box that you pine for that elusive private room! | ||
| tourne Citizen Username: Tourne Post Number: 72 Registered: 1-2003 |
The birth experience depends more on your doctor or midwife than on the hospital you use. Go with the practitioner you feel more comfortable with and don't forget to check out their backups. | ||
| silkcity Citizen Username: Silkcity Post Number: 114 Registered: 5-2001 |
I just had #3 at St B. They DO have private rooms and they are wonderful! (My husband worried that I wouldnt' come home.) They have tv/vcr and video library (so the older kids can come and hang out w/o bothering another patient), great food buffet (again for the kdis), as well as fabulous medical care. We have several dr's in the family, all of whom said "St B or don't have a baby!" b/c they can handle almost all contingencies. This is, ultimately, what you need, so it's worth considering. Drs i use are: Assoc in Ob/gyn/fertility: Drs. Crane, Milano, Luise-Purde, and Ahn in livingston, half men, half women, all youngish. (They are two older drs who no longer see new patients or do ob.) They are in West Orange and Verona. | ||
| hismom Citizen Username: Hismom Post Number: 47 Registered: 5-2001 |
I had both my kids at St.B. and thought the L&D nurses were wonderful. The 16 private rooms are "first deliver, first served" so you just let your L&D nurse know if you want one. I didn't get one, so I had a regular rooom but I didn't have a roommate either. I use West Essex Ob/Gyn (5 doctors, 2 male and 3 female), if you do a search on them you will get lots of opinions. I love Dr. DeGraaff, but she's not accepting new patients while the others are. | ||
| crazyguggenheim Citizen Username: Crazyguggenheim Post Number: 307 Registered: 2-2002  |
Call me crazy, but silky...your doctors are half man/half woman? Whoahhhh! Call me crazy | ||
| Mplwdladee Citizen Username: Mplwdladee Post Number: 6 Registered: 1-2003 |
I had my baby at St Barnies, it was a great experience...I had so many complications before delivery people recognized me when i came in each time. One nurse took extra care of me and helped quell my anxieties over pre term labor issues. My son came out great. Since I have had some miscarriages, and although she never delivered my babies I found dr. yvonne wright-cadet(south orange) to be an excellent doctor. it's been a major trying time for our family but she has always been very caring through each loss. Now, were trying again | ||
| ats3 Citizen Username: Ats3 Post Number: 19 Registered: 10-2002 |
I had my children at St. B--the last being a year ago this week. I use Dr. Pollak and Simonetti in Milburn. I don't know the exact name of their practice--I think Women's Health Care. They are great and will deliver at either hospital, you just let them know which you prefer. | ||
| bmpsab Citizen Username: Bmpsab Post Number: 46 Registered: 3-2001 |
I delivered in NYC because I was very high risk and wanted the best NICU available. If you are high risk in any way, you should definitely go to St. B and not Overlook because Overlook does not have a high level NICU. If anything goes wrong with your baby, they will have to send your baby to another hospital (probably Morristown Memorial), whereas St. B has the highest level NICU. Now that I have delivered my twins I am switching back to an OB/GYN in NJ. I will be using Dr. David Hollander (who I have heard terrific things about) in Livingston. I used to use the Crane, Luise Purdue etc. practice (I had the two older doctors who no longer see new patients). They were okay, but I wasn't thrilled with the practice and that's why I am switching doctors. Good luck! | ||
| tsd33 Citizen Username: Tsd33 Post Number: 33 Registered: 6-2001 |
Many people have already weighed in on this but I must put in my two cents because I CANNOT rave enough about St. Barnabas. I had an amazing experience delivering my son there and, as I ended up with a c-section, I spent quite a bit of time there and had a wonderful time of it! The nurses were great. I also had some complications prior and spent time there and subsequently had a miscarriage and spent a few more days and, again, cannot say enough good things about the staff and the care. As for doctors, I also use West Essex OB/GYN. I have been a patient there for about 6 ot 7 years and cannot imagine seeing any other doctor. DeGraff is the greatest but she is not taking new patients. However, I really like the men there as well (Fain and Verdoni). Verdoni is my regular GYN but Fain delivered my son and dealt with my miscarriage. He is sweet and caring. It is a really nice place and the wait is typically not terrible (always key in the last weeks of pregnancy)! Good luck with everything! | ||
| deborahg Citizen Username: Deborahg Post Number: 523 Registered: 5-2001 |
FYI Hollander is in the same practice as Tammy Hamilton. Dr. Hamilton has two small kids of her own, which I find refreshing -- ie she's been there! | ||
| brinckie Citizen Username: Brinckie Post Number: 43 Registered: 4-2002 |
I just delivered at St.B 8 weeks ago (#2). I have to clarify. There are private rooms that are VERY nice. You have to pay $200/night out of your own pocket for them. They are on a first come, first serve basis - no reservations. My experience there was very good, but I have to say that during my first child's birth in San Diego, my room was just as nice and it didn't cost us anything extra. Unfortunately, the baby #2 had to go back into the hospital a week later (jaundice) and we had to share a room. It was tiny and kind of dirty (but it was also on the Pediatric Ward). I thought the nurses were very nice in both Maternity and Pediatrics | ||
| finley Citizen Username: Finley Post Number: 3 Registered: 7-2002 |
Just saw Dr. Vivian Chou in Madison- she was great! She delivers at Overlook. | ||
| mammabear Citizen Username: Mammabear Post Number: 107 Registered: 5-2001 |
I LOVE Dr. Hamilton's group in Livingston. I actually go to Dr. Russo (as do about 15 of my MW/SO girlfriends)but the entire group (Hollander, Gohen, Kinderzierski, Russo, Hamilton) and all the staff are WONDERFUL!!! As for the hospital issue, any Dr. will tell you St. Barnabas is the best place to deliver, especially if there are complications. And yes, the private romms are OUTRAGEOUS!!! I just visited a girlfriend there and I thought I was at the Short Hills Hilton! I believe they were opened last Sept. I had 3 babies there in the regular rooms and didn't have any problems. Plus, I certainly would not choose a hospital based on a private/non-private room issue! Good luck! | ||
| algebra2 Citizen Username: Algebra2 Post Number: 939 Registered: 5-2001  |
Mammabear!!!!! Where have you been hiding? I am sending you a Privateline email .... | ||
| maplemommy27 Citizen Username: Maplemommy27 Post Number: 62 Registered: 6-2002 |
I just found out I'm pregnant too...and now I'm very confused about where to deliver! My Doctor is no longer with overlook. I've only been to him once...so I'm wondering if I should find someone else? Any good Doctors in Union or Milburn? Thanks! | ||
| Kim Snyder Citizen Username: Kimmies_cakes Post Number: 5 Registered: 4-2003 |
I loved my experience at Overlook. My doctor is Dr. Russell Hoffman in Summit (next to the Grand Summit Hotel) he was recommeded to me by a friends mother who works on the materity floor. (She was actually in the room for my C-section). Also my friend had a baby last week at St. B. and wanted a private room and they were "too under staffed to offer it to her". | ||
| ashear Citizen Username: Ashear Post Number: 624 Registered: 5-2001 |
Mamabear, I have to disagree, at least one doctor, okay she's my wife, thinks Overlook is better (both our kids were born there). You won't ever be seen by a resident, the nurses are better, a private room is basically standard unless they are full. The chances you will need St. B's higher level NICU, assuming a normal pregnancy, are very low. | ||
| maplemommy27 Citizen Username: Maplemommy27 Post Number: 63 Registered: 6-2002 |
Can anyone recommend a few local Doctors with Overlook hospital? I'm not too crazy about big practices, because I'm sure you will have to be seen by every doctor...and the one that's on call will deliver your baby! Is that really true? | ||
| Wendyn Citizen Username: Wendyn Post Number: 49 Registered: 9-2002 |
Maplemommy, That is true for Summit Medical Center at least. Actually you don't have to be seen by every doctor, but unless you are a scheduled induction/c-section you don't know who will deliver you. I saw every one of their doctors except one, and she was the one who delivered me! This preg I stuck with one doctor because I am high risk and even though she might not deliver me at least I didn't have to repeat my entire history to a new doctor every visit. | ||
| jfburch Citizen Username: Jfburch Post Number: 573 Registered: 6-2001 |
I had both my kids with docs from big(ish) practices and it worked out fine. You do need to meet every doctor at least once, but in both my experiences there were two doctors who do the bulk of the deliveries and I saw them a lot and the other 2-3 just once or twice. Both times it was not my primary, but the secondary--both of whom were wonderful and who I also knew well by the end of the pregnancy--who delivered me. Maybe it was just luck, but my sense is that the others were really backup rather than part of the regular delivery rotation. I suppose if I'd ended up with one of those other docs who I knew and liked less well I might feel differently, but I'd do it again. BTW, I was with Hamilton, Russo and co. here. (My other pregnancy and delivery was in Boston.) Oh, finally, if you do consider a larger practice, you should certainly talk to them about this at the start and get a sense of the specifics for that practice to see if you'd feel comfortable enough with it. | ||
| shh Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 524 Registered: 5-2001  |
Ashear, I had three perfect pregnancies which ended in (1) a preemie 6 weeks early (in another country no less), (2) a preemie 5 weeks early, and (3) a breech baby 3 weeks early (delivered by c-section, luckily by appt. as I went to the practice several days before and I was 3cm dilated). IMHO and from my experience, no matter what you (or your dr.) might predict, having a top notch NICU is more important than a private room. (And trust me, I would have loved the private room but sacrificed that for the NICU.) | ||
| joecool Citizen Username: Joecool Post Number: 60 Registered: 11-2001 |
I HIGHLY recommend Dr. Rhona Magaril. She is located on Morris Avenue and is with Overlook. She is in a practice by herself. I had complications during delivery and Dr. Magaril was fabulous as was the entire staff at Overlook and I was there for 11 days so I got to know them well. | ||
| mammabear Citizen Username: Mammabear Post Number: 108 Registered: 5-2001 |
Shh - my sentiments exactly!! My first PG was "perfect" up until my son decided to be born face-up after 24+ hours of labor, a fever, etc. and a subsequent NICU stay. You never know what's going to happen until it happens and the better NICU hospital is always where you will find me! Ashear- I am sure your wife is a wonderful Dr. and that Overlook is just fine, but I think if you asked around, most OB's would choose St. B for their deliveries. With all 3 of my deliveries, I saw residents and had no problem with it. And for the record, many of the nurses work at both hospitals. As for the large practice/small practice situation...I went to Dr. Russo, Hamilton et al with 5 Dr's. At the end of my first PG, I rotated through so as to meet everyone. I was 100% confident that whoever happened to be on call and deliver my baby, that I was in excellent hands. (A friggin' chimpanzee could have delivered the baby for all I cared when it came to #3!) Other people, however, are not as comfortable seeing someone new at delivery time. If you choose a single Dr., yes, they will deliver you, but you may have long wait times/cancellations at the office, vacations that still need to be covered, etc. There are pros & cons to both situations. By the way, I have several girlfriends that go to Russell Hoffman (Overlook, single Dr.) and they LOVE him! Good luck! | ||
| Wilkanoid Citizen Username: Cseleosida Post Number: 47 Registered: 10-2002 |
Dr. Rhona Magaril (see previous post) delivered my second baby at Overlook, and I was VERY pleased. The service at her clinic very good, the staff very friendly. Overlook is a friendly, small, efficient, and clean hospital. THEY HAVE STARBUCKS COFFEE THERE!!!! | ||
| maplemommy27 Citizen Username: Maplemommy27 Post Number: 64 Registered: 6-2002 |
what about the practice of Dr Seymore in Milburn? the only problem is that there's about 10 Doctors in that practice! I called a few Doctors, and they said they can't see meuntil July/September. | ||
| ErinS Citizen Username: Erins Post Number: 14 Registered: 2-2003 |
My two cents... I had my son at St B's and it was a wonderful experience. I had an emergency c-section (placenta previa) and my son was in NICU (jaundice) and the nurses and staff were wonderful. One thing to keep in mind...if you are a private person and don't want a million people in the room when you deliver, do not go to a teaching hospital (like St B's). For my amniocentisis (sp?) there were at least 10 extra people in the room with me; same for my c-section. It didn't bother me, but some friends have been freaked out by the experience.  | ||
| C Bataille Citizen Username: Nakaille Post Number: 1441 Registered: 5-2001 |
Anne Marie Campbell is in practice with Jackie Dix in Millburn (next to the CVS next to Whole Foods on Millburn Ave.) Dr. Campbell delivers at BOTH Overlook and St Barnabas. (Dr. Dix may as well, I'm not sure.) Campbell is terrific, IMO. I've heard excellent things about Dix as well. Cathy aka Bacata/Nakaille |
