Women's Health of Augusta

Jmon

Absolutely DO NOT recommend Dr Brands AT ALL! I had been having issues for MONTHS and been trying to figure out what was going on. She kept dismissing my issues not even attempting to research or exam what was going on. I went to another Dr and come to find out the whole time I had PCOS.

Tiana O'Neill

Don't let Dr Joiner fool you. I didn't have any issues with her during my prenatal care besides waiting 2 hours almost every single visit, but labor was a different story. They kept asking me when I was going to schedule my induction, like it was just routine and I finally gave in. I was experiencing severe SPD and they made me feel good about induction. I went in on a Sunday night and didn't have my baby until Tuesday night. After a slow progression late Monday night I opted for the epidural. Tuesday morning I realized I could feel one leg and not the other and Dr Joiner dismissed that as being on a conservative epidural dose and told me I would feel pressure. I kept expressing my concern saying it's not pressure, I can feel pain increasing on one side only to be ignored and then she proceeded to convince me to let her break my water. Once that happened it sent me into the most excruciating pain I had ever experienced on my left side, the side the epidural was clearly not working on. I screamed for 4 hours straight with back to back extreme contractions from being on pitocin for so long. I remember her standing there just staring at me and doing absolutely nothing. I was begging to be knocked out over and over and she just kept telling me "We can't knock you out." After I felt like I was going to die and could not take it anymore, I finally screamed that I wanted a c-section, and you would've thought I said a magic word! THAT got her attention! She said "Oh! We can do that!" and when I asked her what the next step was, she said they would have to do a spinal block. I said "So I have to sit up and be still for that right?" She said "Yes" So I said, "Then WHY can't I get my epidural replaced and try that?!" and she said "We can try that." I am so angry that I had to lie there for hours in absolute agony, if I had just been taken seriously that morning and gotten my epidural replaced to begin with I never would have experienced that trauma! In the hallway while they were replacing my epidural, Dr Joiner said to my husband "I guess she's just one of those women who confuses pressure for pain" Dr Joiner, if you read this, I cannot believe you would be so disgustingly dismissive of a woman during labor. After they replaced my epidural, which was the hardest thing for me to sit still through, I passed out for almost 5 hours until it was time to push. I was utterly exhausted and relieved to not feel anything anymore. I am now 11 months postpartum and I am still dealing with pretty uncomfortable low back pain. I am also dealing with PTSD from my experience. Beware of this OB!! UPDATE! I now have a second baby. I gave birth in another state and I was met with absolute compassion every step of the way. I even had an induction and a failed epidural that was immediately replaced and my entire experience was the polar opposite of what I endured in Dr Joiners care. I had an amazing healing birth experience! It also solidified for me how horribly I was treated by Dr Joiner and University hospital. No one should ever have to experience what they put me through. Think twice before entrusting one of the most vulnerable and what should be beautiful experiences of your life with this jaded sad excuse of a female OB!

Paulette Hopper

If I could give Zero stars I would. If you inquire about infertility-STAY AWAY! They only care about your insurance in how much they get from you. I have been trying to have a baby for over a year and decided it was time to see a doctor about it. I was very excited at the prospect of having a baby. I went in for my appointment, first appointment of the day as they just opened, and was placed in a patient waiting room...for over an hour. During my wait, I listened to staff members outside my door complaining about patients and telling each other about how the doctor hadn't arrived to work yet...Keep in mind, no one came in to tell me anything, I was missing work for the appointment. I found the staff outside my door extremely unprofessional, but I still wanted to see the doctor about next steps, just being hopeful. The doctor finally came in with someone she was training. She was writing down codes for my insurance and used medical jargon the entire time. I could only understand that xyz would take 4-6 months and xyz would take another 8 months. She never once asked me what was going on, what I've tried, nothing, just excited to give me these codes for my insurance so they could tell me cost. I had to finally say that time was most important to me, I'm 37, and the items (whatever they were) that would take 4, 6, 8 months were not an option. Her tone changed immediately. She explained that she wasn't a fertility specialist, just provided fertility services, so it sounded like I just needed a referral. I was no longer of any worth to her. She said ok I'll refer you to a specialist and left. Didn't say have a nice day, didn't offer to walk me out, didn't say a nurse would come in to walk me out, I was just left in the room. So I left myself and was just in complete shock over what took place. I just couldn't believe the unprofessionalism and the lack of compassion that came from the staff, doctor Joiner especially. The doctor spent 15 minutes with me, to provide me with nothing I could work with, and sent me a $110 bill. I'm so disgusted at this practice-Never ever again. I found a doctor 2 hours away who is excellent, worth the drive!

Brandy Lynn

Completely blown away by how lovely this office is. The staff were all extremely helpful and so kind. I was super impressed by not only how attentive and understanding Dr. Brands is but also how quickly the appointment went by! Especially for a first time prenatal visit. And the entire place smelled like lavender which calmed my nausea from morning sickness and the warm lights in the office are a nice touch too. Bright florescents are notorious for giving people headaches, myself included, so seeing something as small as a lighting change was great. I definitely feel like I chose the right place for my prenatal care and highly recommend it.