Please recommend your OB/GYN or Midwife - An update

I have been going to SMG in West Orange for a few years now for annual checkups which was fine.  More recently, I found out I was pregnant which unfortunately ended in a miscarriage.  Long story short, I've had to use the practice way more often than I did when I was just going for checkups and I feel like the practice has grown too large and my doctor seems way too rushed to answer questions.  I also wasn't impressed with his lack of compassion and at times he treated me  in an almost condescending manner.  

I'm looking to change practices and I'm wondering if any of you have an OB GYN to recommend who is both practical and realistic but also has a good bedside manner and is willing to take the time to answer questions.  This was my first pregnancy and we're also dealing with some possible fertility issues.  

Thank you for your help!

Yes. Fred Silberberg in Chatham. He's great and a solo practitioner with a wonderful nurse.

Good luck.

Perseverance

 I'm wondering if any of you have an OB GYN to recommend who is both practical and realistic but also has a good bedside manner and is willing to take the time to answer questions.  This was my first pregnancy and we're also dealing with some possible fertility issues.  

Thank you for your help!

What you have described here is basically a midwife. I don't know if they deal with fertility issues though.  

Thank you both for your help.  After doing some investigation, it looks like maybe a midwife would be a good potential option.  Based on testing, we suspect that the infertility issues are likely with my husband but it would be nice to have someone provide guidance and counsel us through this.  We just feel so rushed at SMG.  We've never been through this before and it would be great for someone to give us a game plan.  

I saw that Avalon Midwives has an office in Morristown.  Does anyone have any experience with them?  I also have seen in previous threads that Dr. Parchment seems well liked.  @ cubby , have you had any issues with trying to get an appt with Dr. Silberberg since he's a solo practitioner?  

I had my son in 2012 with Dr Dresdner's office, South Orange OBGYN. There is now a midwife in the practice. He does a lot of fertility, too.

Dr Dresdner helped me through a few early miscarriages, an ectopic, a termination of a pregnancy where the baby had fatal abnormalities. He is a big reason I went on to have a second child at age 42. He was supportive and encouraging and wonderful.

I have several very happy friends at Avalon and have contemplated switching because the midwife who was with Parchment's practice moved there.

Dr. Parchment was my OB for my pregnancy and I liked her very much. I was lucky not have infertility issues so cannot speak to that. I am sorry you were treated without compassion at a difficult time. 

It may also be worth asking @doulamomma if she knows anyone in particular to recommend.

I sent you a PM.

Perseverance said:

@ cubby , have you had any issues with trying to get an appt with Dr. Silberberg since he's a solo practitioner?  

I've never had difficulty getting an appointment with him, however I should say that I have not used him as an OB in 20 years (he's actually been my doctor for over 20 years and I'd never consider making a change.)

If you are looking for someone who is very kind, smart and a great doctor, this is your guy. He delivered my daughter and several of my fiend's babies, including some very high risk deliveries. No need to go to a midwife in order to get what you're looking for (although perhaps you want a midwife for other reasons.)

I've been very happy with Avalon. I saw them throughout my second pregnancy and delivery (a year and a half ago) and had a very pleasant experience. 

I used Avalon Midwives during the pregnancy and delivery of my son 6 years ago at Morristown Memorial Hospital.  I was very happy with them and in fact Fred Silberberg was the backup consulting OB for them at the time (not sure if that is still the case).  At one point during labor, my son's heartbeat was dropping during each contraction and my midwife called him in for his opinion.  They discussed the possibilities and he ultimately felt that no intervention was necessary and to just let things progress naturally.  I am always grateful to him for his patience and thoughtfulness as my son was born just a short while later and he was also the one whom we chose to circumcise him.  So I can recommend both Avalon and Dr. Silberberg!

And just to clarify, in case you want to reach him: Fred Silverberg, (not Silberberg)  (973-635-2299)

Thank you cubby. Not sure why my autocorrect was changing it to silberberg instead of silverberg!

Thank you all so much for taking the time to respond to my thread.  It's heartening to know that there are many good doctors/midwives out there who could provide a better level of care for my needs.  I'm going to call around and see where I can get an appointment.  For those of you who use Avalon, is there a midwife in particular that you recommend?  

Also @orzabelle, I just want to say how sorry I am for your losses.  I don't know you but you are unbelievably strong to have gotten through that because just one loss has been really tough for me.  Hearing that you have two living children has provided me with a lot of hope. 

I was going to recommend Joanne Cunha CNM.  She didn't deliver my son, but I wish she had.  However, it seems she is no longer with Avalon.  Of the midwives currently with the practice I only have experience with two, Joanne Yates and Donna Roosa.  For a first time visit I would recommend Joanne Yates over Donna.

Kim Kirby delivered my second son and was great. I really like Joanne Yates as well. 

I began seeing the Midwives of Avalon last year when I became pregnant with my son and absolutely adore them. Ilona did my initial consultation and exam and could not have been kinder and more supportive, but I loved every single midwife I saw throughout my pregnancy. 

I wound up needing an emergency c-section after almost 3 days of labor which was done by Dr. Silverburg. He was fantastic and I was very happy he delivered my son. Donna was there for the entire birth and took pictures for us while reassuring me and making sure I was doing okay. I will probably schedule a c-section with him for our next child though I will continue to see the midwives throughout my pregnancy. 

Feel free to PM me with any questions! 

As an update, I went ahead and scheduled an appointment with Dr. Parchment.  I was very happy with her.  She was very compassionate and really took the time to learn about my medical history.  Even after my exam, she brought me into her office to have a lengthier discussion to make a game plan and double check that there are no fertility issues on my end.  I'm really glad I made that appointment with her because I know my previous OB/GYN would not have taken the time for that.  

I didn't read the whole thread, just your update...you're in great hands with Dr. Parchment...I work with her pretty frequently and she's a great caregiver. The calm demeanor she as at 3pm is the same you can expect at 3am and she is very patient. Congratulations and best of luck to you!

Love Dr. Parchment, very competent and reassuring

Joanne yates delivered two of my three kids, vbacs. I highly recommend her and credit her with helping me avoid another c-section.

I delivered with Joanne Yates at Avalon this past July and she was amazing.  She and the rest of the group took the time out to listen to every question I had. Midwives are the way to go in my opinion.

I will say that I have heard many many good things about dr. Parchment as well, though.