OB/GYN Discussion Thread

Anonymous · 2003-05-05T19:02:29+00:00

Does anyone know a good female gynecologist in Chicago? Ideally someone who isn't in private practice... ___________________________________________ Knock knoc…

Thomas Palmer31 Member

11 messages
joined Mar 2005

#361 · Mar 10, 2005

Jose Miller3 said:Okay, I was just joking... maybe I should have thrown in a smiley face.😁

Fine, let me rephrase my answer.😁
I had my feet resting on his stomach simply because it was the most comfortable position for me... one could interpret that as either some sort of playful kicking or, more likely, an incredibly polite gesture where he was graciously acting as my footrest.😁

rustymoose54 Active Member

182 messages
joined Jun 2006

#362 · Mar 10, 2005

Thomas Palmer31 said:If you roll into a hospital pissed off at the entire universe and convinced everything’s gonna suck, then yeah... things are probably gonna suck.
I mean, I’ve messed around with the staff, screamed my head off, I even slapped a doctor once—don't judge—but honestly? The only thing that actually mattered was how they treated me...

Because let's be real, what good are fancy marble floors and those gold-plated bed rails if the people delivering the baby are total monsters...😉

Look, I never said I went into the hospital all worked up, it was actually the exact opposite...

It wasn't bad from a human standpoint, you know? Like, people were fine.

Something else was terrible, but I really don't feel like getting into that right now...

Thomas Palmer31 Member

11 messages
joined Mar 2005

#363 · Mar 10, 2005

I wasn't even targeting you specifically; I was just speaking in general terms...
Too many people tend to place far too much expectation on the hospital itself. I still maintain that the single most important factor—it might even be the *only* one that matters—is the humanity of the staff and how they actually treat the mother.

Samuel Hall Newcomer

4 messages
joined Aug 2005

#364 · Mar 10, 2005

I’m heading to see Dr. Tomić over on Voćarska. Honestly, he’s been great—managed my whole pregnancy without any issues. Plus, his wife is a pediatrician, so it’s super convenient having both experts in one spot. And from what I can tell, his rates are pretty reasonable compared to some of the crazy prices you guys mentioned.
Someone brought up Višnja Tadić earlier. I remember her from when she worked at the student clinic over ten years ago, and she didn't exactly leave a stellar impression on me. It’s funny how much people change once they move over to private practice, isn't it?
As for the maternity ward... when I had my first kid, I’ll admit, I was expecting something out of an American movie. You know, high-tech machines going *piiiiiing* and all that. Instead, I walked into a room where there was just a bucket and a broom in the corner... and felt like I was facing down a dragon with a razor blade! But hey, the staff at the hospital on Petrova were actually really professional. I don't have anything too bad sticking in my mind, especially since husbands are allowed to be there during delivery now.

Rebecca Myers38 Member

22 messages
joined Jan 2005

#365 · Mar 10, 2005

Rebecca Myers38 said:Who on earth has taken over Tarlea's position at the student union headquarters now?

rustymoose54 Active Member

182 messages
joined Jun 2006

#366 · Mar 11, 2005

Thomas Palmer31 said:Look, I wasn't even aiming that specifically at you—I was just speaking in general terms... honestly...
Look, people just expect way too much from these maternity wards... like they think the fancy equipment or the sterile walls actually matter—but I’m telling you, I'll say it again—the only thing that truly carries any weight is the actual human element. It all comes down to the staff... their soul, their vibe, and how they actually treat the women giving birth. If the people working there don't give a damn about the connection with the mothers, then none of those high-tech gadgets mean a thing... honestly...

Look, I wasn't even talking about the maternity ward—because let’s be real, I haven't actually made it to that stage yet, I haven't given birth, dammit—I was talking about pathology...

So... you actually had a bad run at the pathology lab over at Vinogradska? Man, that's rough—honestly, those places can be such a total nightmare sometimes... just feels like you're waiting forever only to deal with people who couldn't care less, right? I swear, some of those clinics feel like they're stuck in a different decade entirely... totally draining.

Or maybe you were just expecting too much? Honestly... I don't know. People always walk into these things thinking it’s gonna be some cinematic masterpiece or a total dream, and then—bam—reality hits like a freight train. Just my two cents, anyway... maybe the bar was just set way too high from the jump. 😉

Thomas Palmer31 Member

11 messages
joined Mar 2005

#367 · Mar 11, 2005

rustymoose54 said:And I wasn't even talking about the maternity ward (since I haven't reached that stage yet—I haven't given birth, obviously), I was talking about the pathology department.

Plus, you had a bad experience at the pathology unit (over at Mount Sinai) too.

Or maybe you were just expecting too much? 😉

Listen, what I was actually expecting was a standard check-up. Just a regular exam.
Instead, I ended up being hospitalized (for absolutely no reason, believe me... doctors in both the US and Switzerland have confirmed this) and forced onto the strictest prenatal diet imaginable. They were pulling my blood every three hours for four days straight, only to hand me a completely wrong diagnosis. That mistake could have resulted in birth defects or even the loss of my baby.

Do you really think I was expecting too much?

quietfox17 Member

21 messages
joined Jul 2003

#368 · Mar 11, 2005

That’s just how things work in America.

We’re out here dealing with decent healthcare and people who actually know what they’re doing at these facilities.

rustymoose54 Active Member

182 messages
joined Jun 2006

#369 · Mar 11, 2005

Thomas Palmer31 said:Do you think I was just expecting too much after all?

Nah, definitely not.

My comment was being sarcastic—mostly because you told me earlier, "If you walk into the hospital pissed off at the whole world and convinced things will suck, then they probably will."

Look, I get that wasn't aimed directly at me... but the whole vibe made it seem like my experience in pathology sucked just because I had high expectations in the first place.

Thomas Palmer31 Member

11 messages
joined Mar 2005

#370 · Mar 11, 2005

Oh no, I am terribly sorry, I really didn't mean it like that...🙂

rustymoose54 Active Member

182 messages
joined Jun 2006

#371 · Mar 12, 2005

we're just messin' around 🙂

Sarah James4 Active Member

102 messages
joined Dec 2012

#372 · Mar 15, 2005

Looking at the threads, it seems a lot of women opt for private clinics for their checkups...

Comparing those costs to what you'd pay in France... they're actually much lower here. And I'm talking about out-of-pocket prices in France without using national health insurance... things usually run between $100 and $120 per visit.

Question for anyone in the loop... what exactly is included in a standard gynecological exam at a private practice here in the States?🙂

Jamie Allen69 Newcomer

1 message
joined Mar 2005

#373 · Mar 15, 2005

Sarah James4:

When I sit down and actually crunch the numbers—comparing what we’re seeing here to the rates over in France—the difference is pretty stark. Everything is significantly cheaper on our end. Of course, I'm talking about the out-of-pocket costs in France before you even factor in their national health insurance coverage. If you're looking at just the base price for a single consultation, you're generally looking at anywhere from 100 to 120 Euros per visit. It makes you realize how much the math shifts depending on which side of the Atlantic you're standing on.

So, I’ve been wondering—what is the healthcare situation actually like in France? Given how things are back here... it honestly feels pathetic that us "average" folks can't even count on decent medical care. Since everyone is sharing their horror stories, I might as well throw mine into the ring. I had to go in for a colposcopy at Mercy Hospital recently, and it was just... surreal. I’m lying there, and the doctor and the nurse are literally bickering right in front of my face about which scalpel is less filthy. One was supposedly dirty, the other was too dull—just a constant back-and-forth of "which one should we use?" while they debated the quality of their tools. I was sitting there, basically praying for the sweet release of death on that exam table, just waiting for them to finish their little argument so they could actually do their jobs. Truly a peak experience.
Well, there you have it—those are the public hospitals. Honestly, if you have any kind of way to afford private care, just take it. Be grateful for the option while you actually have it... because let's be real, it’s a luxury most people can't count on.

Charles Ramirez59 Active Member

218 messages
joined Jan 2005

#374 · Mar 16, 2005

Sarah James4 said:Quick question for anyone in the loop... what actually goes into a standard gynecological exam at a private clinic here in the States?🙂

Usually just a pelvic exam, a Pap smear if they think you need it, and maybe an ultrasound. Just a heads up, though—most places charge separately for the exam, the Pap, and the ultrasound.

Sarah James4 Active Member

102 messages
joined Dec 2012

#375 · Mar 16, 2005

I recently went in for a checkup. It included a pelvic exam, an ultrasound, a breast exam, weight checks, and my annual Pap smear which I'll be paying the lab for later.

Doesn't seem like there's much difference between providers, except for the breast exams. Some OB-GYNs include them and others don't. What is the deal with preventative care here in the States?😢

Does anyone know what the standard is for mammograms? Like, when is the first one recommended, at what age? I heard they recommend getting one done by 35.
I was actually caught off guard when he suggested I take off my shirt😁 😎 so he could do the exam (my doctor back home never even mentioned self-exams). Then he gave me a fake lump😬 and told me to find it myself. The first time I failed the test, but passed the second time.🙄 I really thought I knew enough about self-exams... I have to say, it was pretty scary.😎

Charles Ramirez59 Active Member

218 messages
joined Jan 2005

#376 · Mar 16, 2005

I've seen four different gynecologists now, and not a single one of them even brought up a breast exam.
Apparently, mammograms are recommended starting at age 35, or even earlier if you're in a high-risk group.

Thomas Palmer31 Member

11 messages
joined Mar 2005

#377 · Mar 16, 2005

Honestly, nobody has ever even suggested a breast exam to me, let alone had me actually offer one up. Who knows what a man would think if I did?😁

Elizabeth Fowler Newcomer

8 messages
joined Mar 2005

#378 · Mar 26, 2005

I’m curious if anyone here has any actual experience with Eljug? A few girlfriends have raved about them—so I’m looking to see if the hype is real. I haven't had my first prenatal checkup yet, so I really want to find someone reliable. Ideally, I’d prefer a woman—mostly because I already deal with a bit of a phobia when it comes to gynecologists...

thnx

Charles Ramirez59 Active Member

218 messages
joined Jan 2005

#379 · Mar 26, 2005

Twenty-two years old... it's time to start thinking about it, even if you aren't sexually active or experiencing any issues.
I haven't heard anything bad about Eljuga, though I can't say I've heard much praise either. I think my mother is heading to that clinic there for a mammogram.

restlesspanther1 Active Member

90 messages
joined Dec 2010

#380 · Mar 26, 2005

Charles Ramirez59 said:I’ve been to four different gynecologists now. Four. And not a single one of them—not one—even bothered to mention a breast exam. It’s absolutely infuriating. You go in expecting a comprehensive check-up, a professional who actually looks at the whole picture, and instead, you get nothing. Just total silence on something so vital. How is this even acceptable?
Look, let’s be clear about this: you shouldn't wait until you're older to start paying attention to your health. I’m talking about mammograms. Even at 35, it is highly recommended that women start getting them done. And if you fall into certain high-risk categories? You need to be looking at screening even earlier than that. It isn't something to just brush off or push down the road. Don't wait for symptoms to show up before you take proactive steps. Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to preventative care.

Breast exams are a standard part of a Pap test—that’s just basic medical protocol. I make sure to point that out every single time. 😁 Every single time, I find myself spiraling right back into my own head. It’s like this endless loop of self-reflection that I just can't break out of. 🙄

They basically just gloss over it when it comes to the younger girls... but honestly, they really ought to be doing it. It’s a missed step, plain and simple. 👍

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