Dr. Terri-Ann Melanie Bennett, MD

I do not recommend Dr. Bennett to any mother having a complicated pregnancy. I may be as bold to say I do not recommend her at all, period. I saw her on two occasions when it was discovered I had a severely shortened cervix. At just 23 weeks I was at risk of having preterm labor. Dr. Bennett expressed to me all the risk factors of preterm birth at that gestational stage. Such as complications with brain development, lung development, diseases, still birth etc. All of which are understandable to warn a patient. However, she refused to perform a cerclage, a procedure that could potentially help prolong the pregnancy by holding the baby in for longer. She coldly referred to statistical data suggesting that it is not proven successful- despite my personal experience knowing women who have used a cerclage successfully and all the stories of success online. While I cried and cried desperate for some type of remedy, Dr. Bennett repeatedly asked if I wanted to terminate the pregnancy. I… told her ‘No’ on multiple occasions during both my visits with her and she continued to ask. She said repeatedly, “We will not judge you if you decide to terminate”. Determined to fight for my child, I maintained my stance that I would not. Dr. Bennett then sent me home saying statistically bed rest is not helpful and that I could continue to work. She offered no hope, no solution - left me broken and worried that my baby would be born at any moment, when she was not ready. Feeling that Dr. Bennett was wrong in every way, I decided to put myself on bedrest anyway. Then with some time overcome with anxiety, I sought a second opinion. At the other hospital I received the most upmost care. They provided me with the reassurance and promise they would fight along with me to keep this pregnancy. During exam they saw that due to the negligence and delay of Dr. Bennett I was no longer eligible for a cerclage. They said had she chosen to do it at that time, I would have been a candidate. They did not leave me without an option however. They inserted a pessary to help hold my baby and admitted me for bedrest and care for two months in the hospital. Dr. Bennett carelessly suggested I return to work and this hospital kept me for 2 months. The difference of care was tremendous. I sit here writing this review holding my 7 week baby. Healthy, beautiful and amazing. Kept in for a full term labor, she is a story of success. Had I listened to Dr. Bennett insistent suggestions of termination, she would not be here. If you seek a doctor who will fight alongside you no matter the odds, do not go to her. Dr. Bennett, you should put your statistics aside and assure your patients you would do the most possible for them. Not seek the easy solution.