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More compassion

I had such high hopes for Diana Health because so many people had positive feedback especially regarding their VBAC experience, which is what I was hoping for. Initially, my experience was good. I had a good experience with the midwives that I saw including Holly, Stephanie, and Elizabeth. They were all fantastic and gave me hope throughout this journey that I could achieve a VBAC, and explained things that I had questions about with knowledge and care. Then, by about my 36 week appointment things started to go south. I ignored the red flags and I wish I hadn’t. The first issues arose when I started seeing Emily Apadula. I had two visits with her back to back where my blood pressure was slightly elevated. I understand that it is the job of the doctors and midwives to share medical recommendations and was advised by Emily that I probably had preeclampsia and would need to be induced immediately. When I inquired about how they would induce me since Dr. Pruthi had told me they do not induce with pitocin for VBA2C and I was unclear how I could be induced, Emily advised I could be induced with pitocin “low and slow”. I asked again since I have had 2 prior c sections and she affirmed her initial statement. Luckily, I was pretty sure she was incorrect and told her I would go do blood work as recommended and we could go from there. After this appointment, I began closely monitoring my blood pressure at home, never once getting an elevated reading. My blood work also came back as not having preeclampsia. Emily informed me that I should still deliver asap. I told her I have been checking my blood pressure and it is fine, asking if it’s reasonable to just monitor at home. She agreed that made sense but at no point until I brought it up was that an option. I’m so thankful that I am not a first time parent or I’m sure I would have had no idea how to advocate for myself in a position like this. After this appointment and the diagnosis of hypertension it seems like everything got worse. I was told conflicting information, told my amniotic fluid was too low and needed to deliver immediately, told I could get a membrane sweep, told I could use a foley balloon for induction, only to be told at the very last minute that I could not do any of these things, my only option was a c section. At this point I couldn’t switch providers, and I decided to go with a c section because my fluid had gotten lower. I was told by an ultrasound tech that my fluid was one thing, then told it was another. I’m so frustrated by this experience because of the gross miscommunication that has gone on between the midwives, doctors, and myself. There were lab results that the team never went over with me, I had to ask. And lastly, I have to add that while I was admitted into the hospital for my c section, Emily came into the room to answer some last minute questions I had and again gave me some of the worst information…. I’m truly confused how she came up with some of the answers but she ended up telling me my lower fluid levels could be contributing to my baby’s growth restriction.. Maybe she looked at the wrong chart but my baby did not have a growth restriction. Never once was that ever noted because it was not a thing. She also jumped to the conclusion that my baby’s heartbeat did not look good on the monitor which the low fluid could be a sign of. Luckily my doula looked at the printed records of the heartbeat and it appeared as though baby was sleeping for that short time. Just another thing that Emily was careless about, or she just has no idea what she’s doing. I am sharing this in hopes that maybe it can help someone else going forward, I really hope your team is able to get on the same page with protocol so that other women don’t feel pushed into a corner like I did. I will say, the hospital staff were all great and did help my experience feel less terrible. Although I thought it was strange that the doctor who performed my c section didn’t come talk to me afterwards. I’ve always had a doctor come talk to me while I’m in recovery.

Overall it was a great experience. The midwife was very nice and I felt like she genuinely cared.

I absolutely love everything about my experience every time i have a visit ! My doctor .. julie smith is amazing and I appreciate all she does and has done for me !

Everything was great!

The provider was great, and I felt valued and understood.

Tessa was very nice and listened to all my concerns and provided clear steps moving forward.

I stayed with my previous doctor way too long, twenty years, even though I felt like he wasn’t listening to me for several years. When I relocated to TN, it finally forced me to make a change. I was able to get an appointment the very next day, and I am so grateful for the care I received. I felt so listened to during our initial virtual call, and I have an in-office visit next week. I hope this is my place and that I never have to change again!

My therapist is awesome and made me feel very comfortable.