It's my prayer that this review will be helpful to others…read more
I don't think many people know that any reviews left before about 2024 include care from the Gennisi midwifery; they are no longer there. The current midwives come from different places. When they were brought on, I was told that you couldn't find their licensures. I hope that has changed, and I would recommend checking.
My prenatal care seemed mostly good, relaxing and supportive, and the labor experience was dismissive and unethical.
In labor, it seems like a standard practice to stay at home for as long as possible. While I understood this, I was surprised to see that to determine my true dilation, they couldn't complete a cervical exam (reportedly due to a contraction coming on), and therefore deemed my dilation as not far along due to my mood. Since I was able to hold a conversation without being mean, or reflecting piercing pain, they were quick to send me home. I found this to be unprofessional and reflective of compromised medical capabilities.
I was recommended to take a supplement to rest, as a result, which had the opposite effect due to my cervix likely being more thin/open than they concluded. It might have been the worst pain I've experienced, and it also might have led to higher blood pressure, which I think I've only experienced once in my life.
My final visit there was short, as I was told I could not stay due to high blood pressure. From my researching, the numbers in my chart do not meet Wisconsin law for needing to be transferred. (Interestingly, they do charge about $5,000 just for admission, for any sleuths to connect a possible motive). They did not have any wheelchairs to assist me out.
While they consulted with doctors via phone, they did not follow to the hospital or follow up with us afterward regarding the actual birth, as was promised in their policy. A midwife called days later to generally check in.
Each adult I was with independently had the impression that Authentic was trying to get rid of us, which was an interesting mix of humiliating and disappointing. My parents described the whole situation as traumatic, and they still can't talk about it.
On a slightly separate note, I experienced a frustrating logistical process in their relationship with a partnering hospital. The hospital claimed they never received my records, even after a bridge visit to set it all up, and scheduling a specialized ultrasound took multiple calls from me without success, after which I simply told them I couldn't be the middle man anymore. After being told it would take place in 2-3 days, I woke up the next morning to dozens (truly) of voicemails, texts, and emails at the point when it was almost overdue. It was messy and unpleasant.
I was refunded $2,500 due to my short admission, and they kept our other $2,500 for no services rendered minus probably a load of laundry and wiping down the bathroom, (as confirmed by other professionals who have partnered with them for numerous births).
I have been told that I am not the only one who has had this type of experience, especially since the midwifery team turned over.
For anyone on the fence, I would highly recommend seeking services with a hospital that has midwives or approves your birth plan. My husband and I originally thought that all hospitals were stringent/bully-like in their policies, but more hospitals than we thought have patient/woman-empowered options.
