Shivani Lash is the warmest, wisest and most caring midwife and it was a great privilege and answer…read moreto prayer to be under her care for my fifth pregnancy and birth. When my husband and I were considering having a home birth for our fifth baby, I knew the type of support I wanted, already having given birth four times and also being a doula, but I wasn't sure if I would be able to find my perfect midwife match here in our area. When we met with Shivani for the first time, I sensed that she was gentle-natured, humble, experienced and wise, had a balanced approach, and that she had a very calming and grounding presence which are all very valuable traits in a midwife! I felt like she indeed had the qualifications and character traits I was hoping to find and I was looking forward to having her on my birth team! The best words to describe my prenatal care with Shivani was loving and luxurious. She took the very best care of me at every visit. She was so honoring in the way she would ask for permission before ever touching me (and her hands were always as warm as her heart!) and she explained each and every test before she performed it and wanted to be sure I understood what it was for and why and she never forced anything on me that I didn't feel comfortable with. She was there for me professionally, she gave me her thoughts in light of current research and her own years of experience but she also honored my autonomy. And I also greatly appreciated her natural approach to pregnancy and birth. She is very knowledgeable about how to nourish and to stay well prenatally and postpartum naturally which is a great blessing! And while it was a smooth pregnancy overall, there were a few things that came up unexpectedly and I really appreciated how she helped me navigate them. She was calm and knowledgeable and offered wisdom and support. She always gave me the full range of approaches available in each given situation, provided me with resources, answered all my questions, and I was able to glean insight from her years of experience. All these things combined with prayer for God's ultimate guidance, my husband and I were able to process and make decisions that we felt such peace and confidence in at the end of the day. My birth experience was such a gift. Shivani came when we were ready for her, she was attentive, intuitive, patient and so loving from beginning to end. She gave both my husband and I ample support. She was there for me physically and offered suggestions of positions to try, she took turns with my husband providing counter pressure on my back, she kept the water in the birth pool nice and warm and she made me broths and teas and reminded me to take sips of my electrolyte water. She was also there for me emotionally and steadfastly kept me going when I felt like I couldn't keep going the last few hours before baby finally arrived. She knew when to be hands on and when to step back and give space. My husband absolutely loved this birth experience because we both felt comfortable to do whatever was needed in each moment with no pressure of time or pesky continuous monitoring systems that constantly need to be adjusted, endless questions needing to be answered in the thick of contractions, care providers coming in and out of the room unintentionally disrupting the birth flow, etc. We were not constrained by hospital protocols or any other dynamic, we could just be present and free to do what needed to be done. Her postpartum care was also such a gift. Shivani made sure I knew she was there for me 24/7 if I needed anything in the days following my birth. She checked in on me and baby often and paid us multiple visits. We had three major storms hit us within a three month period, just before and after our baby was born. A woman already feels exceptionally vulnerable postpartum but add a few natural disasters into the mix and it's quite the emotionally trying experience. She made sure we were prepared before the storms and checked on us afterwards, even offering to help us prepare in any way. She cares so deeply for each one of her mommas! Any questions or concerns I had once baby was born, she was more than happy to help me find answers. I just always felt Shivani's heart, that she wanted me to feel cared for and completely supported as I found my footing as a new mom of five. I'm so grateful for Shivani's care. It was exactly the type of experience I was praying for and more. I recommend her with all my heart to any momma considering a home birth in the area. She is a true gift to all of us women giving birth in this area at this time! We are so blessed to have her!

I was incredibly pleased with our entire birthing experience and process in the very caring hands…read moreof Shivani. She consistently went above and beyond for my wife through all the developments and unique situations along the way. She was incredibly flexible to our schedule and provided ample resources and professional insights along the way to best equip us for the educated decisions that were right for us and our family. I would highly recommend her to anyone seeking a private and peaceful home birthing experience. So much so, that we are proudly using her for a second pregnancy and never considered any alternative options. Thank you so much for all that you do!

My overall experience at Birthways left me feeling neglected and abandoned in the process…read more This was my first pregnancy and prenatal care was okay. There really wasn't any education on the actual laboring process which left me pretty unprepared. leading up to my birth I started to feel anxious as I had connected with some midwife's and not others and when it's time for labor you get whatever random midwife is on call. A week before I was due they rushed for me to meet a midwife who was visiting town. Overall I had the feeling that they were very understaffed and had tons of clients. I had specifically asked the owner "what happens if you have to go to the hospital?" The answer was clear - we come with you to make sure your checked in but we don't stay the whole time , the student chimed in that she likes to stay for the whole birth because she gets invested in the moms. Well, the day that my water broke, the amniotic fluid had meconium. I called the midwife on-call who was the midwife I only met once previously. She told me the baby was in distress without any explanation or information and to go straight to the hospital, she would not come with me. There was some guidance on where to park and then that was it. I didn't hear from her again until a text 24 hours later asking how it was going. And then never heard from her again. Done. My labor was difficult at the hospital with nurses pushing all various medication, wanting to rush the process. It was the hospital nightmare that I was always avoiding. After pitocin was pushed on me I still labored for 30 hours, barely dodged a c section, my baby landed in niccu for 3 days, and I had been completely paralyzed in one leg and in a wheelchair from an epidural injury that took months before walking normally again, It was scary. I never heard from Birthways again until 3 weeks later they called telling me I should come in for my postpartum checkup. This was never communicated to me during the entire prenatal care that there would be postpartum check ups. I thought they had finished their services with me. I was desperate for an assessment of my situation and to check on my stitches(from tearing). They called to cancel the appointment I was needing, and luckily I got a spot because someone canceled. I arrived using a walker and couldn't even hold my baby. The woman who would've been my midwife was shocked and asked what happened to me. There was some sympathy but afterwards she never informed the owner of my situation nor did anyone ever bother to check about my hospital birth records. When I came in for the second check up weeks later, the owner was surprised to hear my birth story and injuries. There is an obvious lack of communication between everyone. Finally they emailed the hospital to get my birth report. Of course, you sign paperwork that you will never be able to get a refund even if you don't birth there and they do nothing, they will keep your money. During one of the most vulnerable processes of my life, I felt completely neglected by this business. And that's the vibe you get that it's a business, a place to make money. Choosing Birthways was a mistake and i'm not the only one traumatized by this, my mother was confused about what kind of care they were supposed to offer, and my husband felt like it was a waste of thousands of dollars, feeling that the service offered was nowhere near worth what we paid. While I was pregnant, I deposited $250 for nitrous. If you don't make an early deposit and decide that you underestimated and need nitrous while giving birth, the price jumps to $500. That just shows the intentions of Birthways and how it takes advantage. Because I never gave birth at Birthways or used nitrous I was expecting to have my money back. This was not an easy process, taking seven months before I finally saw it back and I had to call every couple weeks, text, email. The communication is totally off with this business as is their billing practices. In all, I would not recommend Birthways unless you know your going to have an easy birth that requires little attention and care. It may be the only center in town, but not the only option.

I was referred by this birth center for a sonogram at 10 days past my due date, because my fundal…read moreheight had decreased. At no point did the birth center inform me that this was an emergency. I told Christina that I would go to St. Pete, which was the doctor's office that I had previously been to. She told me to go to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, because it was closer to birthways, even though I lived in St. Pete. I didn't understand the relationship between the hospital and birthways. My husband and I were cognizant of not going into the ER and asked for the OB floor. The hospital and Birthways both failed to inform us that we were in the ER and that was the only way I would get a sonogram. Neither birthways or the hospital told me that this would be billed as an emergency room visit, resulting in a significant and unexpected medical bill. My sonogram and my baby's heart beat were perfect. The hospital wanted to induce me ONLY because I was late. They did not have any rooms available and they said they couldn't take me, because it was "not an emergency". I had to sign an AMA to leave and go to St. Pete hospital. I later spoke with a lawyer who said what birthways did was wrong. They were misrepresenting what the sonogram visit was. I was told that this situation was avoidable had the birth center informed me of the financial implications. If I needed to be induced, because I was late, then I would have been admitted into the hospital and not an ER visit. The whole thing was a waste of time and money. When I called to discuss with Christina, she was very defensive. She did ask if she could help me with an appeal, but I had already done that and it didn't work. Christina also said she didn't tell us to go for a sonogram and that she told us to go for an evaluation. My husband and I both heard her say "sonogram". The lawyer said her wording makes no difference and that she was still not providing necessary information. Christina also said that this was in the paperwork. I read every document two times over and saw nothing in the paperwork explaining that referrals will go through the ER. I want others to know that if you're referred out by this center--especially late in pregnancy--you should ask whether the visit will be considered "emergency" and what billing codes may apply. The care I received here had some positives, but the lack of transparency around this referral led to a costly surprise and ongoing stress during postpartum recovery. Make sure you ask all the right questions--they won't always offer that information up front.

Danielle is not only an amazing doula but also a wonderful person. As a first time mother, I was so…read morescared about all that comes with the pregnancy, labor and delivery process. Danielle calmed my fears and made the process SO much easier. The amount of knowledge this woman has is insane! A total expert. She was always only a text away and answered all my questions with care and patience. I will always recommend her to anyone looking for a doula in the area. My LO is now 5 weeks and looking back at the labor and delivery I truly feel it went as smoothly as it did because of her!

Danielle is such a sweetheart and so knowledgeable. She was there for me in every moment. Her…read morecare and concern for my entire family and not just myself and the baby was awe-inspiring. Her focus and support during the entire pregnancy is so comforting and she is ready to advocate for whatever mommy, daddy, or baby may need. When she says she will research something and get back to you, she stays true to her word. Her amazing work ethic is one not easily found amongst today's professionals. She truly is one of a kind and I am looking forward to the chance of being able to have her walk this journey with me again.

Dr. Aguin, Angie the midwife, and the entire staff are amazing! They are professional,…read morecompassionate, and always make you feel comfortable and cared for. Dr. Aguin takes time to explain everything, Angie has such a warm and supportive presence, and the staff is always friendly and attentive. I highly recommend this team for anyone looking for outstanding OBGYN care

No idea how this place has so many positive google reviews, but I find it highly suspicious they're…read morenot on yelp. I had a nightmare of an experience with them and am shocked with how I was treated. I've never been treated so poorly or met with such hostility from a medical professional team. Every appointment, of which I had three, I left with more questions than answers causing unnecessary anxiety. My very first appointment was at 5 weeks and I had an ultrasound showing a sac in my uterus and a cyst on my ovary (3x3cm). The doctor told me he cannot rule out that it's not ectopic and told me to go to the ER if I had any cramping or bleeding while at my wedding in Mexico. After talking with friends and hours of research (thank you ChatGPT), I learned it's pretty standard/normal to have a cyst on your ovary, and a sac in your uterus is indicative of a normal/healthy pregnancy. For my second appointment at 7 weeks the doctor was in and out in less than 8 minutes. I had an ultrasound where we learned the cyst on my ovary had doubled in size within the last two weeks. I was looking for any information, good or bad, about this cyst and what to expect. I was met with hostility as though I should know all the answers myself. The doctor said to us "what questions do you have before I leave the room." My husband asked if the cyst is something we should be worried about and the doctor held up his hand to show us how big 7 cm is. My husband luckily thought to ask what the cyst was filled with (fluid), so we could at least do some research on our own. No information was volunteered by the doctor or staff, we had to know exactly what to ask. After my second appt went by so abruptly, I called the next day to ask what the transfer process would be if we wanted to change providers. We received an email address for the practice and were told to email them if we wanted to transfer my records, and to include the contact info for whatever practice we plan to move to. After discussion with my husband, we decided to stay with Lotus women's health-- maybe this last appointment was just a fluke, and it is very close to our house. I called back within the hour to clarify that we're not changing practices and wanted to be sure to keep my currently scheduled appointments and confirmed we were staying- please don't cancel my appointments. Prior to my next appointment, I was sure to complete all appointment confirmations and pre-check-in information for my next appointment, so I was sure I was in their system and they were ready/able to see me. Today was my third and last appt, which was so hostile and very confusing. I'm now 11 weeks along and it had been 4 weeks since my last ultrasound (which had complications due to my large cyst so I was excited to have my next one). They mentioned at the end of my second appointment that this 3rd ultrasound would be trans-abdominal (whereas my past two were trans-vaginal), plus I've also had one every appointment so I'm thinking that's how these things work. When we were put in a room without ultrasound abilities, I asked what we were doing today. A few minutes later, the office manager came in to tell me there will be no ultrasound and that today is just a check-up. After a few minutes of questions, the office manager said "clearly you're unhappy here so I recommend transferring." I was shocked and so confused. I'm a first time mom and need a bit of hand-holding, kindness, and clear communication on what comes next. I did not get that. I've never done any of this before and I'm not a medical professional, so I was hoping for more information to be volunteered rather than expecting us to know what to ask and how to navigate this journey. I am shocked with how we were treated these last two appointments, especially today, and very sad it went the way that it did. I hope any expecting moms who go here are treated with more kindness than my husband and I were. Best wishes and happy, healthy pregnancies to all! Edit: to any prospective patients, I encourage you to visit their google reviews and take note that they share personal patient information in their argumentative responses to all negative reviews. A clear privacy violation, plus a complete lack of patient care or customer service. Beware.

I loved having Christine at Redemption Midwifery for our birth. This was my second baby, and first…read morehome birth. She cares so much about her clients and does a great job understanding what mom wants for their birth and helps them get there! Christine is very hands-off which may not be everyone's cup of tea, but for us it was exactly what we were looking for. I saw Christine for all of my prenatal care, we had the usual visit every four weeks and then as we got closer to the due date every two weeks and then every week. Visits were usually at her home office, certain visits were at my home (1st visit, 36week visit...) and if we had a scheduling issue it usually ended up with her coming to my home. The visits were short, which was fine for us. Christine always included our toddler in the visits for as much as she wanted to be included (letting her listen to baby's heartbeat or take mamas blood pressure). Christine did often run late, which was okay for us but I know that could be an issue for some.

Christine has been such a blessing to our family. After 4 kids we decided on a home birth with our…read more5th and the experience was better than I could have imagined. Truly an answer to all my prayers. Christine is so knowledgeable about everything and taught me so much information I can carry through life. I've recommended her to many friends.

Dr. Sullivan and his staff are amazing. I had the best experience and would recommend him so…read morehighly. My first delivery with another local doctor was absolutely horrible and I'm so thankful to have found Dr. Sullivan. He's a MD and dual degreed as well. He's calm and comforting and never rushed me at any of my appointments or delivery. Doctors like him are few and far between.

I'd rather have Marge look at my vajay any day. Seriously, these people are the very best. I chose…read morethem strictly based on the beauty of the building (you know the one with the shining tiles at the end of Osprey by 41? Interestingly, they are now in the building that looks like some kind of deranged over sized playhouse on Beeridge near the corner of Shade-very nice and spacious on the inside though) Choosing an ob/gyn based on building aesthetics totally worked out for me. Marge is so kind and such a thinking person. Between her and Dr Sullivan, I am so well taken care of.

Dr. Simon runs the highly rated Sarasota Memorial Rehab Pavilion. I was in there for 3 weeks for…read morePT recover from emergency back surgery. The PT and OT plans and on-going guidave Dr. Simon developed helped me go from not being able to walk to walking better than I have in years. She did not just focus on my back surgery and previous back problems. She developed a while body PT plan that was very effective.

Very caring person. She was very interest in my care. Enjoyed meeting her. Her office staff was…read morevery nice and very accommodating. It was a pleasure to add her care

Absolutely perfect! Explains everything, super patient at the desk, and willing to talk through all…read moreoptions! They always remember who I am, and I felt like I was in a room where I was heard. When it came to give birth I was so scared to have a C section, but the team was so calm and understanding that it felt like my brothers and sisters were in there. I can not thank you guys enough

I tried to book here twice. Both times I showed up they said they had no record of me having an…read moreappointment even though I checked the number I called last week and it was the same exact number as their business. That's OK because my coworker said she went there and they missed her cancer diagnosis she had to go somewhere else and they finally found it.