Pat O'Brien or Lawrence Mascarenhas

[Letty110]

Hi all,
I'm in need of a consultant (unsure if I will go for a vaginal birth as my first one was horrific, or a C-section). Has anyone used Pat O'Brien (he's at the Portland and UCLH). If so please let me know your thoughts? I had a hard time with my first birth, and then a miscarriage, so I'd like a knowledgeable consultant but someone who is also caring and kind. Please help. I've also heard good things about Lawrence Mascarenhas at Guys & St. Thomas so I'm considering him too?

Pat O Brien is fantastic!

Pat O'Brien did a cerclage (cervical stich) op for me years ago during a high risk twin pregnancy. He wasn't my usual consultant (they were off sick), and I was quite stressed at the thought of having someone else do it.
It's quite a stressful operation as late as I had it in pregnancy - you're tilted at an angle with your head down as there's a risk of breaking the waters and starting labour. So you're awake throughout, semi-upside down, with a real possibility that what they're doing will cause a miscarriage.
So, in those quite difficult circumstances, I thought he was great. Calm, friendly, reassuring. I got the impression he's got a God complex that could fill a room, but he's one of those doctors that also seems to have the bedside manner to go with it.
It was more than 10 years ago now, but with that caveat, I would recommend him.
Hope it all goes well for you.

I had Lawrence Mascarenhas with my first and am having him again with my second. My husband's co-worker had Pat O'Brien and we considered him as well as Guy Beeston-Thorpe all very great choices that will give you great care. Lawrence Mascarenas has the opposite of a God complex, which I find very important (and rare) in such an experienced consultant. Everyone who works with him absolutely loves working with him and they're thrilled when he's around, which I think makes for an amazing atmosphere. He's incredibly experienced, straight forward, and very accessible through his secretary (who is also his wife). I had a difficult time with my first birth and am getting lots of coordination and TLC this time around at the Portland.