Dr Donald Clark - Mercy Hospital

[Natter]

Hi all

I am new to this forum - so forgive me if my etiquette is not spot on!

Am almost 6 weeks pregnant and have just been to my GP for a referral - as I am an immigrant from South Africa, I do not have many friends with recent birth and obs experience around to illicit advice from and am not ready to let all my friends and family who do live here in on my little secret just yet :).

My GP has recommended Dr Donald Clark at Mercy Hospital - please could any of you that have been under Dr Clark's care send me some info about his bedside manner, good (and bad) news stories etc.

I just know that I am going to be one of those patients who has a lot of questions - so I will need an obs who is patient and willing to indulge me!:)

I look forward to hearing from you all.

[entreat]

Have you seen him yet? I'm looking for an Ob to deliver at Mercy. I was thinking SJOG Subi, but have heard how pro-cesar they are. Not my cup of tea, really.

[mandlsmum]

Dr Donald Clark is a good friend of my MIL who also works at Mercy. So I can tell you how awesome one of the nurses are there too. However you would only see her if you had a c/s, as she is a recovery nurse.

From what I know of him, he is lovely, and funny. And someone you would definately want as your OB.

[Grover]

Hi there,

New here also but thought I would share my opinions. I have had 3 children and have used Mercy Hospital and Dr Clark everytime. The hospital is brilliant as long as you don't give birth in a busy period or when they are lacking midwives/nurses through staff upheavals as it can be a bit all over the place. But I have no real complaints about the hospital and have always been looked after well. Most of the midwives are absolutely brilliant and have been there a loooong time so that should give you some idea of how much they love their jobs as this hospital.

Dr Clark is great but can be a little abrupt at times. BUT I can say that in the 3 times that I have used him over the 9 months of the pregnancies it was on very rare occassions that he was late (most OB's can run an hour or more late) AND if he was late his receptionist would call you and advise you and change your appointment time if necessary. His receptionists are brilliant ladies and very caring. He is pretty thorough but I will warn you now, he can be a bit caesar happy and loves inductions!!! lol... BUT as long as you know what you want and you are firm he is happy to go with what you want but if you are weak willed (mean this nicely) then he will induce you just because it's easier for him.

If I were to have another I would definitely use him again. He visited every morning whilst in hospital to check on me and the babies progress and never rushed to discharge you from the hospital until you were ready.

Good luck...