Avenson Sally-Arnp Cnm

Sally delivered both my boys. Fantastic from start to finish both times (one epidural, one natural).

EarlGrey Z summed up perfectly my first and only visit with Sally Avenson. Also a plus size first time mom, Sally left me nearly in tears and convinced I would have an unhealthy pregnancy. She weighed me, shamed me for choosing to get pregnant (also in front of my spouse and her student) and in the end, she couldn’t have been more off base. I also opted to use UW Midwives through NW Hospital and had a healthy pregnancy and delivery with less than 10lb weight gain. Not sure why so much hype around this provider who lacks basic compassion. I also understand she has limits but there are ways to discuss concerns with patient’s without the shame.
With that said, I’m so glad things didn’t work out with her because the UW midwives were top notch.

Do not go see Sally if you are a plus size mama. I had a horrible experience at my first visit with her. I spoke to Sally on the phone to make my appointment and there were no pre screen questions to ensure I was a good candidate for midwifery care. When my husband and I met her, she took one look at me and said she could not care for me. She then proceeded to weight me (in front of my husband and her student) and launch into a big talk about how my BMI is too high and that I would have trouble finding a OB that would care for me. WTF? Not to kind, compassionate care I was looking for. I understand she has her limits as a midwife but the way she approached this was me was very unkind and upsetting.
I then set up an appointment with a high risk OB, who was so confused and basically said I wasn’t high risk just for being overweight. I am otherwise very healthy.
I finally found excellent care at NW Women’s Healthcare.

It took 3 attempts to get her to make my 12 week ultrasound appointment. 1 unreturned phone call, 1 unanswered email, I finally reached her on the phone and she set it up. I made an appointment for the follow up visit and as we were on the phone, I wrote the agreed date on my calendar. I showed up for the appointment waited for 30 minutes, her housekeeper came down and said she wasn’t there. Her housekeeper called her on the phone and I spoke with her, we made arrangements for her to call me that evening to touch bases. She did not call me that evening or the following day. The 12 week ultrasound follow up determines whether the fetus is viable and if there are severe birth defects which may require possible termination. At that point I had no faith that my case was being followed at all and therefore was left to wonder if my ultrasound was indeed abnormal. I chose to seek another midwife. After finding someone who was competent and able to put my fears to rest, I called Sally to let her know of my decision. I made sure to be kind and polite as the midwifery community is a small one and I want no negative residual from an already totally negative experience. When I got a hold of her she said that she was just about to call me and have a «heart to heart» that maybe I should seek someone else that could follow my pregnancy more closely. Closely? Try AT ALL!!! For the new moms out there seeking someone who is conscientious and hands on, please do yourself the favor and see someone else. I had a wonderful experience @ Swedish Ballard.