Galella Nancy M MD

I first chose Abington OBGYN because I had heard that Abington was one of the best hospitals for maternity care. In my first trimester, after doing extensive research on labor & delivery, I decided that I wanted to have a natural intervention-free birth (no IV or epidural). When I informed the doctors at Abington OB of my wishes, I was LAUGHED AT. I told them I did not want to be offered an epidural, that I would ask for one if I needed it, and they basically responded, "too bad, we're offering the epidural either way. You have no choice, we're going to offer it". I was floored. They also laughed at me when I told them I intended to write a Birth Wishlist, and told me that it was pointless to write a birth plan. \t\n\t\nI was also told that many of the OB's here perform routine episiotomies. Ladies, please do your research!!! Routine episiotomies are completely outdated and unnecessary.\t\n\t\nEvery woman has the right to make her own decisions about her birth wishes. If you want a very medicalized birth, and if you prefer to be uninformed and completely give yourself over to the care of your doctors, then Abington OBGYN is the place for you. However, if you want to be empowered and have a say in your prenatal care and birth, I suggest going elsewhere. \t\n\t\nI left Abington OBGYN and transfered to the Midwifery practice at Pennsylvania Hospital. I had my baby 100% naturally, as I had wanted, and received support and positive reinforcement from the staff there. My Birth Wishlist was well received and followed when possible.\t\n\t\nI am positive that had I stayed with Abington, I would have had a very unsatisfactory birth experience (and probably ended up with a c-section due to complications) and felt completely out of control of my situation during labor & delivery. A natural birth is not for everyone, but if you are considering it, DO NOT place your care in the hands of Abington OBGYN!!!

I love love love my doctor at Abington OB/GYN Associates, but I have to switch because it's impossible to get an appointment. There are two huge problems. First, as is typical, my doctor is usually booked at least 4 months in advance. The bigger issue, however, is that it is impossible to get a live person on the phone to even MAKE an appointment - they are just not set up for the amount of volume that they do. Their phone system hangs up on you, or is busy most of the time, and they take lunch where nobody picks up the phone between 12:00 and 1:30 every day. God help you if you actually have a problem and need to speak to a nurse. I have never been successful. I give up after 30 minutes on hold. Great doctors, but don't bother - the strain of getting to them is not worth it.