OBGYN in Alamogordo/Rudisio/Las Cruces Area (Ruidoso: ob-gyn, live in)

[Jsrhino]

Can anyone recommend a good OBGYN in the Alamogordo/Ruidoso/Las Cruces area (or ones to stay away from)? We just moved to the area and my wife is due in 8 months! It will be our first and we are willing to drive to find a good one (or avoid a bad one).

Thanks!

[caydriver]

I like Michael Flax in Albuq. Have been his patient for about 30 years. Worth the drive and he will talk about any concerns. You say she is due? For a delivery or a check-up? If a delivery, Sue Brown in Ruidoso. So many varibles here, your wife and baby deserve the best of care.

[Sarahsez]

Congratulations!

I didn't live in your area so I don't know any specific names. I'd call the maternity ward at the hospital and ask for a tour. Ask the nurses who they would use. If that fails, I'd go to a couple of the local kiddie play areas like the playground and McDonald's playland and ask some of the moms there. Worst case, you may find out who to avoid.

[caydriver]

Sara, that would be good in the Las Cruces area, but in Ruidoso a little different. In Ruidoso, a very small medical community, they use contracted doc's in the ER and you just have to gamble on who might be on call. As far as the nurses go, they never know who will respond, plus a small hospital with only nurse anesathist and no neonatal specialities. Would pick a larger town that has access to a medical center.

[Sarahsez]

Calling a hospital will give you the information you need to know. If the hospital isn't what is wanted or needed, then you will be able to find that out information by calling and visiting.

Another thing to keep in mind is that driving long distances may not appeal to your wife if she goes into labor. First babies usually take a while, but there are sometimes emergencies and those babies that come fast. Being in active labor and being in a car for any length of time isn't fun. I wouldn't want to go any farther than you had to. The OB-GYN I had with my first child gave me instructions not to go more than an hour away from the hospital during the last month. I'm assuming you live up in the mountains near Ruidoso if you're considering that for a hospital. I'd probably go ahead and check out that hospital just in case you didn't have time to get down the mountain. I think Alamogordo would probably be your best option. In my opinion, Las Cruces would be too far. You also have to consider that you'll be visiting the doctor monthly for a few months and then weekly. The distance, gas, and time off from work to get to and from those visits really add up.

[domino]

Her profile says she is in Alamogordo. I'm sure there is a good selection of doctors to choose from in a city that size.

[ajzjmsmom]

I live in Alamo and there is only one office of OB's here. It is the Center for Womens Health and Specialty Services and the only one I would say to stay away from is Amanda Banerji, I had a very bad experience with her. Everyone says that Dr Molina I think is her name is really good. If you need more info you can DM me. On the upside I do know a couple of L & D nurses at the hospital and they are really good.

[caydriver]

Originally Posted by domino

Her profile says she is in Alamogordo. I'm sure there is a good selection of doctors to choose from in a city that size.

I wouldn't bet my last buck on it!

[ajzjmsmom]

Originally Posted by caydriver

I wouldn't bet my last buck on it!

You would be making a good decision not to bet your last buck. We are OB/GYN poor here.

[denherrera575]

At 22 weeks of pregnancy I developed really high blood pressure and was hospitalized, four days before we were scheduled to blindly move to Phoenix AZ! We were planning to "wing" it and get a Dr. once we arrived using a referral from friends and family in the area. My boyfriend and I were skeptical about the midwife we had been seeing due to my last pregnancies' multiple complications and premature delivery. We felt more comfortable if we could see a Dr., however, First step (a Dr. in the area) has so many providers you see a different Dr. every time you visit and the other Dr. in town makes you go to a 2 hour orientation before your first visit and has a long wait before your first appt. Unable to find any other options we went with Women's Medical Associates who have mostly midwives and thank God we did! Jill Tellez tested me thoroughly to find the source of my high blood pressure, was thorough in every way possible and had a wonderful bedside manner! I am no rookie this is my sixth pregnancy and I have 3 beautiful boys and have never had such good care! One of my boys was born in Chandler AZ and supposedly had the "best" Dr. in the area yet none were as thorough or caring as Jill. She even found me an OB in Phoenix and called for an appt. for me herself so our baby although high risk will still have onngoing care! Jill is great and I give Women's med ass. five stars!!!!!