Woman Care Centers

My care at this practice was sub-​standard, and I had two major incidents with the practice that left me extremely upset. In the first, my AFP test for spina bifida came back elevated. It took Dr. Hughes three days to call me after receiving the tests results and another day for the practice to request an appointment with a specialist. After I had not received an appointment for another three days, they refused to advocate on my behalf for an appointment before Christmas, despite my fears and anxiety. I called the specialist myself, and they were happy to help me, despite what the receptionist at WCC said.
Late in my pregnancy, they performed an ultrasound for growth which showed that my baby’s growth had drastically slowed. Instead of explaining the situation and its potential gravity clearly, they shushed my concerns and said their protocol was to set up a speciality visit. Again, they left me to advocate for myself. When the specialist found that the ultrasound at WCC was a huge mis-​measurement and that the baby’s growth was normal, WCC refused to explain why their tech only measured once. Dr. Hughes was dismissive and gruff and worked hard to make me feel stupid for my fears and confusion. As a practice, they lack tenderness, compassion, and attentive care.

I would give this place no stars if I could. I have not had a good experience with this place. The wait to be seen is terrible, your appointment will be at 2:00 but you will not be seen until 3:00, so plan to wait. I suffered a miscarriage and everything after that when dealing with this place has been a worse that a nightmare. There are plenty of great OB/​GYN places out there, avoid this place at all costs.

I was very disappointed with this practice. I was referred by my primary physician since the office is located very close to where I lived at the time. Appointments were very brief once you got back to the doctor, sometimes I didn’t even see a doctor. As a first pregnancy they failed to give me all the details or let me know what tests were optional, they also scared the heck out of me telling me that my baby was at extreme risk of having Downs Syndrome but couldn’t get me in for a follow up appointment for a few weeks after telling me that news over the phone. I was then sent to an AWFUL specialist where I was basically pressured to terminate the pregnancy if the tests came back positive and was given no helpful information on Downs. The tests were negative but Dr. Golpira still wanted me to continue driving almost an hour to the specialist for follow up appointments, I asked to never go back to that location again since I received poor treatment the first time.
After touring DePaul hospital and seeing the conditions, hearing they don’t have even enough sleeper sofas or other supplies for all of the rooms and our tour being interrupted by a rude nurse I asked my doctor if they would deliver at a different hospital. I got the run around and was never given a clear answer so I began looking for a different hospital and doctor closer to where I was moving. After touring a new hospital and finding a practice that delivered there I asked for a medical release form at my next visit, this is when things got really bad. As soon as I asked the receptionist for the form her demeanor changed and she became very short and rude. I didn’t think much of It until I fainted at work and began having dizziness and light headed spells, I called to schedule an appointment and they got me in within 2 days. At that visit I was asked why I was switching doctors by every person I encountered, Dr. Golpira herself brought it up several times. She told me that she couldn’t do anything for me and I should just go to the ER and see a cardiologist… When I made the appointment the nurse I spoke with mentioned that my blood pressure reading at the last visit (a week prior) had been low and it was a concern that I was 25 weeks and hadn’t even gained 5 pounds, these were never addressed in any of my appointments. I brought them up with Dr. Golpira and again she said to just go to the ER the next time I was dizzy or fainted. She said she could make a plan for me but there was no point since I was changing doctors. She just kept saying that there was nothing she could do and to take it up with my new doctor. Then a nurse came in to prick my finger and I was told in a few minutes they would have test results for my hemoglobin counts. After sitting in the room a few minutes they asked me to move to the waiting room to wait for Dr. Golpira and my results. I waited there for 15 – 20 minutes before Dr. Golpira walked by and asked if I had a question or why I was still there. I told her I was told to wait for the results and she just said no and told me to go check out.
I was made to feel insignificant and stupid and did not reassure about the health of myself or the baby.

HORRIBLE! I been with them for about two years and my regular gynecologist visist were ok. I love Dr. Basso but now that I am going in for my prenatals I had the horrible experience of meeting the other doctors in the practice plus being given results for a blood test I had specifically requested before conceiving, and having to found out that the results that were given to me were to a test that they claim was never performed, but which I paid for and which I remember being pricked for. I hate having to ask for vitals, because they dont tell you anything unless you ask. I have to ask how the baby is measuring, if my weight is ok and so on, things that they as they performed should let me know. Also I had a prenatal with the midwife, Cheney, which I thought would be helpful in giving me information, but wrong. She was in and out of the room and didnt really say much to me or had no real knowledge of anything. My last prenatal I was surprised and shocked when this «new doctor» to the practice informed me that I have to take medication for something I was never diagnosed for and come to find out that they never performed a test that I had requested to be done, even though I did get the results. This «new doctor» had the audacity to tell me that this simple «prenatal visit» has become an «investigative visit» and that since she was not employed by the practice at that time of this test being done, then she cannot do anything. I was appalled when the receptionist tried to solve this issue and put me back in the waiting room and through the window wanted me to explain this whole situation, DOESNT THAT GO AGAINST THEIR ETHICS. I felt like this information was «personal and confidential» information and should have not been discussed next to other petients who were either checking in or in the waiting area. I clearly told her this and force her to pass me a piece of paper so I can write my information on it. I am done with Womens Care Center and I am currently looking for another practice.

Horrible experience and am now turned off by ALL CNMs now because of this practice and especially Blair Conger.
I called the 1^st week of July to schedule my appointment. They asked me a long laundry list of questions to see if I «qualify.» I explained I have an autoimmune disease and the doctor wasn’t sure about the other and discussed my age. They told me I qualified and prior to my appointment, I filled out all of my paperwork. My husband, as a firefighter, paid someone to work his shift so he could come with me and I also took leave. When we arrived, they asked for my records but this was the first mention of it. I obviously did not have my records but signed paperwork and explained they were welcome to obtain them. I also explained that I had my exam the day before I took leave and literally arrived back into town 8 hours earlier than my appointment.
When I get into the room, the assistant Alicia, asked me some questions about my health (the same they asked me on the phone), went back to talk to the midwife, then returned to tell me I didn’t «qualify» to have a midwife. I asked several times to speak with the midwife to go over my medical history and also to ensure that I am comfortable with the midwife but this seemed to offend them as they have an «open house to meet the nurse midwives.» (I have the right to change my mind or leave any medical care I am not comfortable with.) After several back and forths between Alicia and the midwife and SEVERAL requests to speak with Blair (the CVM), I was denied and completely wasted my leave and my husbands. I then asked to speak with the office manager but she was in a meeting. When I did speak with the office manager (very nice), she was given a lot of false information (to probably protect themselves) such as the CVM offered to come see me (like I would deny that?) and that I walked out when they asked me to wait for the office manager (not true– they told me it could be a long wait and I told them it would be more efficient with us taking leave for me to call).
I have never experienced a medical practice that acted so superior to their clients. The CVM didn’t even have the courtesy to come speak to me, even after several requests. I felt as though they felt like I was undeserving of them because I am considered higher risk and because I wasn’t absolutely sure I was comfortable with the midwife until I met them.
This practice did a huge disservice to a field that is trying to resurrect itself. I will tell everyone I meet my story and experience and they will tell everyone they meet. In turn, the way they treat their clients or potential clients will come back on this practice and especially this midwife in the future.

I would be remiss if I didn’t write an update here. Ironically the doctor I mentioned above, Dr Golpiera delivered my baby. She did a great job — kept a calm, cool head under pressure while checking in on how I was doing along the way. Couldn’t ask for more. Now that I’m pregnant with my second I’m back at the Woman Care Center. They still seem test heavy — rolling from one to the other — but that’s probably their M.O. and now I’m wiser and know which ones I really need and which ones I don’t.
I stand by my recommendation that this is a great place for second or third time moms. And they have great resources. For a first time mom, just decide how you want your first pregnancy to go and weigh your options. However I have to give Dr Golpiera props here for her work in the delivery room. In this case actions spoke louder than words!