OB/GYN Associates of Ithaca Reviews

At my first appointment, I appreciated that Dr. Gelber validated my experience of having endometriosis. However, the second appointment was awful. The ultrasound technician asked me to undress while she was still in the room, though she did turn her back, and I was given a very small paper sheet to cover myself with. She did not offer to let me insert the probe for myself, just did it herself without telling me what she was going to do first. Then she had me get off the table (I had to pick whether to cover front or back with the sheet...) and get dressed while she talked to me. After my ultrasound, Dr. Gelber talked to me for TWO MINUTES. He told me my ultrasound looked normal, and he didn't suggest any other tests (endo doesn't always show up in ultrasounds). He asked me if the birth control pill was working, and I said it seemed to have dealt with my pain but I had had migraines, nausea, and fatigue everyday since starting it. He said "well it sounds like it's working." When I expressed dissatisfaction with the side effects, he gave me three options: stick with the pill and wait to feel better, take a different dose, or switch medications. No mention of laparoscopy or any other options, no validation of the fact that I've felt AWFUL since starting it, and I felt so rushed I didn't ask. I asked him what he recommends, and he basically shrugged and gave me an "informational pamphlet."

Overall: They didn't treat me like I was making it up, which was nice. But no respect for privacy, no bedside manners during ultrasound; then no information given, not all options covered, no concern that the pill makes me feel worse than the endo pain, and not even an opinion about what I should do! I'll be going elsewhere in future.

Mahrie Moore and Laura MacCarald are, without question, the kindest women I have ever met. They were there for me every step of the way through my first pregnancy and (more importantly) after I gave birth. Middle of the night phone calls, weird symptoms, you name it. It's like having your best friend on speed dial. Couldn't be happier with the care and support I am still receiving.

Very unhappy with my visit today and I will no longer be going there. No bedside manners, very unfriendly, and felt rushed. Such a shame.

Excellent care. I especially have to thank my midwife Dr.Kate Pierce. She is hilarious, knowledgeable, friendly and professional. She delivered my second child, and I felt safe and confident during the whole labor. I was skeptical as I came unhappily from another midwife practice. I was blown away by the friendliness and care here by all the staff.

Been going here for 8 years now and no complaints. Absolutely love every one of the midwives (Kate Pierce and Mahrie Moore to be specific) and Dr Silva, but they're all amazing in my opinion. Highly recommended this Ob-Gyn office.

I am 20 weeks pregnant, and have been going here since the beginning of my pregnancy. I chose to be seen exclusively by midwives for my pregnancy and birth, and have been happy with the care providers I have seen so far. I cannot say the same for the office personnel, however. Yesterday was my 20-week appointment, which is the time in which they scheduled me to have an ultrasound done to make sure all the major anatomy of the fetus is functioning and find out the gender as well. I also was scheduled to see a midwife. Anyone who's pregnant will tell you that this is easily the most exciting day for a pregnant woman second to the baby's birth day. Well, I was juggling lot of things on the morning of the appointment, and I knew I was going to be about 5-10 minutes late, so before my appointment started, I gave them a call to let them know I was running behind. The receptionist assured me that as long as I wasn't more than 10-15 minutes late, it would be fine. So, when my husband (who had taken work off) and I walked in about 10 minutes late, the woman at the desk told me she had just given my appointment to someone else, and that I would need to wait for a few minutes until they could fit me in. I thought that was fair enough, so I sat down and waited. And waited. 40 minutes later, they tell me that there is no time for me to be seen, and that I'll either have to come back in a few hours, or reschedule altogether. Coming back in a few hours was not an option for me, and I told the receptionist. I was pretty upset, almost in tears because I was so let down at this point. They said there was a doctor (not a midwife, as I was scheduled) there that could "squeeze me in" for my midwife appointment. When I went in to see the doctor, she came in a started pathetically explaining why they wouldn't let me see the ultrasound tech. She knew I was angry and hurt, and instead of apologizing, she was very defensive about the whole situation. As I left, they rescheduled me to see the tech a few days later, and to have the same doctor (again, not a midwife as I requested) see me at the end of her lunch break. I wouldn't be so upset, but this appointment was an important one to me, and I really feel strongly that the office staff made a scheduling error. Later, when I called the office manager to explain my situation, instead of apologizing, she said that the ultrasound tech is always overbooked, and that patients should arrive for their appointments 10 min early. I've never been to any practice that has taken me in early. . . and it's a rare thing to find an office that will take a patient in before they've waited for 10 minute or so! Basically this office is obviously mismanaged, and they take advantage of the fact that they are the only place for a pregnant woman in to go in Ithaca. I don't often write negative reviews, and I'm not comfortable being angry at strangers, but it would be wrong not to let people know about this terribly disappointing experience.

The front office staff are rude and dismissive. They often don't answer their phones. You are treated like a number and not like a person. The doctors and midwives don't seem recognize the individuality of every woman, every baby, and every birth.

When we opted to go to a different provider, it appears they decided to express their discontent by billing us directly for our most recent blood work and visits instead of billing our insurance company (they had the info, as they had billed our previous blood work, appointments and ultrasound)!!!

They are the only outfit in town, so many women feel stuck with them.

Spread the word - we need a better OB-GYN group in this town!

Not impressed from the start. Long waits for appointments. Poor and unprofessional office management and customer service. Not patient centered care. Midwives were just okay and was not overly impressed with several of them either. There are not enough good Ob Gyn providers in our area also having hospital practicing rights at Cayuga Medical. This needs to change. Patients need more options of excellent female (preferably) doctors and midwives in our area that can also deliver at Cayuga Medical Center. Expected better in Ithaca.

If you do decide to go here I highly recommend the midwives. Laura is so extremely kind and thoughtful as is Maurie! Laura delivered my most recent daughter and she did an amazing job of helping me through the process and making sure it went the way I wanted to. I ve gone here for both my pregnancies and I ve love my experiences with the midwives, ultrasound tech, and the lab worker.
I ve had only bad experiences with the Drs. I saw Dr.Silva about 10 months ago and he ignored all my concerns about my pelvis and uterus pain and told me I m basically crazy for thinking something is wrong. He sent me on my way.(something was wrong)
Dr. Gelber I saw for an issue and he didn t know how to handle it or what to do so he told me to go home and hopefully it goes away.
I had to seek out another OBGYN that would help me with my very serious matter and do the surgery I needed.

I love the midwives here but the receptionist women are always rude and never seem to know what they are talking about. I am 30 weeks pregnant and asked to get a 3D ultrasound done and one front desk women said I could, while the other said they don t offer them there. I had an appointment set up for a 3D ultrasound and then I get a call saying they have to cancel my appointment because I can t get one yet. After me and my boyfriend already canceled work for this appointment. I don t advise anyone to come here, they are very unorganized and rude.

I just delivered my first baby, with the midwives at Ob-Gyn as my caregivers throughout the pregnancy, and I have had a wonderful experience. The midwives are thoughtful, knowledgeable, honest, and respectful. I have always had a good experience with the receptionists, and the lab tech and the ultrasound tech have been friendly and professional.

At my delivery, an unplanned c-section became necessary. I was incredibly happy that when she had cause for concern, my midwife quietly went and got the OB, who examined the situation and made the call to go to the OR. (This kind of situation is why I made the decision to go with midwives who worked in tandem with OBs!) At this point, my midwife did not leave me: she stayed with me throughout the entire operation. Please note: there were some complications with the baby, and the ultrasound tech back at the office immediately reviewed all the imaging she had done to see if there was any evidence of a problem that she had missed: there had not been any evidence. She had done her job properly, as had everyone else, and they did a great job providing my little one with the care he needed. My postpartum care, as well, has been fabulous and thorough. I am happy to say that because of the quick work of the team at Ob-Gyn and Cayuga Medical Center, my little guy and I are both doing great now!

Overall, the team of midwives, OBs, various lab technicians, and all the doctors and nurses at Cayuga Medical Center worked together in a professional, caring, and transparent way that really impressed me. I have heard stories from friends who delivered elsewhere that made me nervous. However, despite my unexpectedly complicated birth, I experienced nothing but good from the professionals at Ob-Gyn Associates of Ithaca. My only disappointment is that my time in Ithaca is short, and I don't think I'll be able to find an office and a team that can compare to this one, when I am ready to have another baby!!!

I switched to this office following my move from rochester. The previous office in Rochester was horrible, and my mother in law told me about these people so I decided to give them a try. After recently finding out I was pregnant again, I called and made a first appointment, which I ended up canceling two weeks later due to a second miscarriage. I made a follow up appt for an evaluation and was told I would have an ultrasound some along with bloodwork because I was still in pain. Upon arriving to my appt, I was told I was only getting the bloodwork done and only needed the ultrasound if the bloodwork had come back with levels of hcg which she knew wouldn't because I told her the pregnancy symptoms had disappeared. Even though I have a history of ovarian cysts which continue to cause pain, I didn't get an ultrasound. The doctor wouldn't listen to me and was convinced I was still pregnant. Plus...that midwife appointment never got cancelled despite the fact I called to cancel it and the doctor confirmed I was no longer pregnant. Save yourself the Hassel and find a different doctor because this one sucks.

Why does it have to be a multi-call irritating hassle to schedule an appointment? I make it through their phone tree only to have it ring forever. No option to leave a message, no callback, just empty ringing into space. Very unprofessional.

Wonderful care from Dr. Gelber and the nurses. I couldn't have been happier with my experience. My appointment was quick, informative and headed me in a good direction for future care. I can't understand the negative reviews left for this office... thankfully they have been very accommodating.

My girlfriend and I started going here recently and we were immediately turned off by the rude midwife who met with us as well as the rude phone interactions we've had. The receptionist who helped us was very sweet. The midwife was unprofessional and treated us like we were an inconvenience.

I really liked them for my first pregnancy, trying to see them for my second pregnancy is ridiculous, they told me they only schedule a month in advance when I tried to reschedule an appt that I couldn't make, I'm already 10 weeks and haven't had my first appt, i am not willing to wait another month. I'm disappointed that I won't be able to deliver in Ithaca as I love their hospital but currently I'm switching to Auburn. Auburn obgyn was amazed that I hadn't been seen yet and wants to see me immediately. On top of the headache they're giving me, the receptionists are very rude.

April 2nd, 2019, I called to make an appointment. There is a 1-2 month waiting list.

WORST OBGYN OFFICE I have ever come across. I have been going there for about 5 years, never had any problems in the past until this year. I called them this week after being in the emergency room, I'm pregnant and was diagnosed with a perigestational hemorrhage. I had a miscarriage in March so I've been very worried. When I had my miscarriage I had to argue with them to get a follow up ultrasound to make sure everything was okay afterward. I left a message for the doctor about my visit to the ER where they insisted I be seen to recheck things in 48hours, and not to take no for an answer. The receptionist said the doctor would review my ER scans and reports and they'd call me back. They know my history bc they were my doctors when I had the miscarriage. It's been two days.. they never called back. Needless to say I found another doctor. This was just the straw that broke the camels back, their receptionists are rude and disrespectful. I don't suggest them to anyone at all ever, especially if you are pregnant. They care about you as a patient/ person and treat their patients like a herd of livestock.

extremely rude (specifically this person whose name is Anna K). poor service. surprisingly greedy. surcharge you penalty fee within 1 month, even for a bill that you didn't receive.

Please avoid at all cost! Not patient centered at all. I am glad I chose an amazing doctor in Syracuse!

The staff completely ruined my sister's gender ultrasound. It was to be a gender reveal baby shower, and the nurse (who wasn't aware that we were even going to try to find out gender yet, as she wasn't even 17 weeks, and the appointment wasn't to fund out) didn't bother asking if we wanted to know, just said, "oh by the way, it's a boy, if you wanted to know." She was very closed mouthed and rude in general.

My daughter had emergency surgery last Wednesday. Dr. Gelber is the most amazing Doctor I have ever dealt with! He is wonderful. Great bed side manner, informative, and cares. He really knows his stuff and how to flow through. I would recommend him to everyone I know.

The receptionists are not the nicest, *but* I could not recommend Dr. Dean enough! I got my first IUD placed, pap smear, etc. and he could not have been more thoughtful. I was super nervous and he took the time (well over 45 minutes) to educate me on everything that I needed done that day and explain my IUD options in detail. I also have to add that he called me to give me an update on test results and check in on me (which has never happened with any doctor in my life).

As a college student, we are constantly recommended PP (which is a great resource and more affordable in some cases), but if your insurance covers it I would highly recommend this practice and **especially** Dr. Dean.

I wish I could give this place less than one star, honestly. My first pregnancy in 2011 with my son was through the midwives, being my 1st pregnancy I didn't know what to expect. My mother started to come with me towards the end of my pregnancy (she has had 5 children and thought she had seen it all). First off I had a very very healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. My mother became increasingly alarmed by the behavior of the midwives the more she came with me. Let me be clear I only dealt with 2 truly horrible midwives. One of which informed me if I hit 42 weeks pregnant I would have to sign a "Dead baby letter!". Needless to say I was horrified, as was my mom. We opted for my being induced that Friday, let's just say that began a 3 day nightmare that nearly killed me and jeopardized my son's life greatly.
Fast forward to present 2016 my husband and I are expecting! I try a few places in Cortland and after issue after issue I decided to try this place again. Thinking I would give the doctors a try and thinking they could only have improved over the last 4 or so years. The staff is hit or miss. The nurses are all pleasant but it can be hit or miss at the reception desk. On several occasions it was very plain to see private conversations amongst themselves were the priority. I could deal with this, I am always friendly as a rule. I try not to let the behavior of others dictate my behavior. Then there are the doctors. By far the worst physician I have ever seen is Dr.Gelber (I believe this is the correct spelling of his name) Avoid him like spilled salt, a broken mirror or walking under a ladder! Farm animals have been given more compassionate thorough care/examinations. Dr.Milner is wonderful, thorough, pleasant and genuinely seems to care about her patients. I would also recommend Dr.Silva, he also seems to be a genuine physician that cares for his patients.
Just be wise, GO SOMEWHERE/ANY WHERE ELSE or be prepared to be very diligent! I have always been understanding if a doctor is what may seem condescending because I understand it must me exhausting explaining things to people like me day in and day out.

I m a plus size expecting mother...I was mistreated several times here. They re not plus size friendly at all. They can t even do an NST right. I was put on a total keto diet with no carb intake and I was stressed out and hungry most of the time. I was told if I don t lose weight then they can t deliver my baby here in Ithaca. The ultrasound technician hurt me every time because she would push sooo hard into my stomach because their equipment isn t updated. I hurt for days after they did ultrasounds on me.
To top it all off they didn t give me my 3 hour diabetes test results for 2 weeks after they received the results...which I then thought I was in the clear. Nope definitely wasn t, I failed 2 out of 3 of the numbers and sure enough have gestational diabetes. That mistake could have went very badly for me and my baby. My heart sunk when I found out & my mother had to take it from there because I was beyond words upset. All they had to say about it Is they lost the test results.....right. This could have really hurt my baby boy & I. I m so disappointed in this practice, I feel extremely let down. Thank God I for the Syracuse perinatal.

bad customer service, asked to change my appointment for a convenient date and they said , we can't schedule you for another month???? really what kind of support and caring system is this... They should be sincere with others health and considerations

Im 39 weeks pregnant. Been seeing them since the beginning. Everyone from the receptionist to the Mid wife's and Doctors are professional and friendly. The 20 week ultra sound hurt alot. But I think that was due to possible scare tissue from the last baby.

Friendly, professional and the midwives are very sweet and answered all my questions regarding pregnancy and birth

I was greatly disappointed in the 'delivery' of Kate Pearce. She did everything right up until my baby was crowning. At which point she looked me in the eyes and said, "This is what you wanted isn't it," in a very snooty tone. I was of course in the middle of labor and had no mental capacity to respond to such a negative statement at such a pivotal time. She then proceeded to guide me into a reclining bed chair and further instructed me to lay on my back. This of course closes the birthing canal making it near impossible for any woman to give birth comfortably. I was of course still unable to communicate or even resist for that matter, and I eased myself onto the bed/chair. However I mustered up all my power and kept myself propped up in a 'crab' position so as to keep my pelvic door open. Kate Pearce then decided it would be advantageous to me and the baby if she instructed me to 'push until I was purple.' Of course that only serves to rupture blood vessels and decrease the oxygen supply to the baby. I was trying to breathe and oh was I in pain. All I wanted to do was change positions. But she kept telling me to push harder and keep on pushing. Finally about 10 to 15 minutes into this I had enough. I simply turned myself over onto all fours and within 2 contractions my baby girl just flowed out so smoothly. Beautiful. Painless. (except for the agonizing 15 minutes the midwife had me reclining and purple pushing). Then to top it all off, she didn't even know how to hand the baby up to me, since she was apparently unfamiliar with the very familiar position of giving birth on all fours.

A disgrace to her and her associates if you ask me. Birth is a beautiful and ultimately pain free experience when we as women are properly prepared for the birthing process. If you are in the profession of birth giving, then it would behoove you to be comfortable with assisting in a multiple position birthing process.

So that I blame on her. However, it is just as much my fault for giving her that power. I could have put myself onto all fours from the beginning. And I could have more clearly reviewed with her the false ideas that have been propagated into mainstream society in regards to giving birth, and maybe she wouldn't have been repeatedly encouraging me to 'push until I was purple.'

The hospital staff at Cayuga Medical did a wonderful job in supporting our birth plan. I felt very comfortable having a natural birth in a place that would be able to respond in a heartbeat if anything should have happened to go wrong. I am of course very grateful for everyone that helped, especially the nurse that drizzled the water over my back when I was in the whirlpool tub. Thank you. Perhaps it would be beneficial if there were birthing position posters in the birthing rooms. Also, a doctor or midwife should not be giving birth if they are not physically capable of kneeling down and being able to properly support an active birth the way it comfortably happens. Your in this profession because you love the miracle of life and want to be a part of bringing babies into this world. Make sure you are taking this responsibility to heart and learn that birth is supposed to be a majestic and meditative state free of chemical and hormonal interruptions so that the baby and the mothers body can do that which they are naturally made to do. And give thanks that you have the knowledge and tools to save lives in the cases of emergency. But don't prepare a pregnant woman and her baby to need interventions just because. Prepare them to have a confidant and comfortable birth.

Perhaps the new midwife, Lucy Chapin, could provide a seminar and training so that the other midwives and doctors are able to prepare a woman to have the proper mentality and meditative know how to permit their bodies to naturally and relatively painlessly open up to birth.

It's a little baby factory. They shuttle you through and it's fairly impersonal. Not in a bad way, but I felt like I was less of a number in a university of 50,000 undergrads than I do here getting ready to have my first child. I haven't seen the same doctor/midwife/PA twice and I'm almost 7 months along. They are very efficient and I'm usually in and out in under an hour.

Kate Pierce was the midwife that attended the birth of my daughter two years ago. She was compassionate, gentle and experienced. She supported my plan of using no pain meds or medical intervention during the birth process. Everything went well and I was rewarded with a lovely daughter. I would recommend Ob-Gyn Associates currently and have recommended them to friends. I found their office staff to always be professional, compassionate and caring. In short, I had no issues with this office and intend to continue using them for my routine care.

Never had a bad experience, top notch doctors and service.

I've been here with my wife, who has gone here for the past 2 years. Sure, you go in and get out for certain things, but that's because they have plenty of other people to be seen. We've never had a bad experience here. They're direct and straight forward about what they do and what they require of you.

Really unhappy with their ob services. Both husband and I feel the same way. It seems like they are just too busy and see too many people they just rush tru appointments.. this is our 3rd pregnancy (first one in ithaca) and the ultrasound lady is SO fast just click click out, she doesn't try hard if baby isnt cooperating just ok done, I've nerver had such bad u/s experiences before!! Im used to drs that care about myself and baby and go above and beyond. Here it's like walmart. Go in, get out, poor service overall and crappy experience. But also like walmart its one of the only options!! :-( thinking it is worth going to courtland instead of staying with these people. We have come to love this area but the lack of quality care is quite disturbing.

These doctors have given me wonderful medical care over the past 16 years. They have delivered 4 of my children. They are compassionate and professional. I've appreciated the good care I have always received.

Dr. Gelber is very rude with zero bed side manner. I'm 26 weeks pregnant and have never seen the same person twice here which wasn't that serious to me until I encountered him today. I'm going to do everything in my power to not have to encounter him again for any reason. I shouldn't feel nervous about calling and asking to not be seen by him again for the duration of my pregnancy but I am. Literally the appointment I just had made me consider switching my ob altogether. I'm not one to get offended easily but he is very efficient in treating patients poorly.