Dr. Sarah Sue Hebl, MD

Dr Hebl is knowledgeable and highly respected by all of the medical staff that I encountered during my pregnancy however I did not enjoy my experience with her. My appointments were ALWAYS late which is tough when scheduled around work commitments. She would say one thing during an appointment then contradict herself or deny saying it at the next. At no stage would she discuss delivery with me. It was my first child so I just assumed it would happen in the final few weeks but she wouldn’t even interact on the topic. I took it upon myself to do a birth class, to see a pelvic floor specialist to learn how to push, hypnobirthing to give me the skill set to remain calm and spoke with midwives about how to labour at home. She would not let me discuss any preferences. Once I hit 40w she acted like I was a ticking time bomb and tried to force me to get induced that day. I had been asking about her stance on induction since our first meeting and she would never elaborate on it: the answer… is she wants it as soon as you hit 40w even if there is no medical reason. When I asked to discuss matters with my husband, she heavily suggested that he was controlling my decision making and it wasn’t his choice to make. I obviously just wanted to talk through my own thoughts with him but from there on in he was presented as a controlling villain (he is not). During delivery she had been on call for over 30 hours (!) and every one of my preferences were ignored. Every one. She had both of her hands inside me for ONE HOUR during the pushing stage (largely as they wouldn’t let me use any of the breathing or pushing techniques I had been taught) which obviously caused trauma to my pelvic floor muscle. The hospital policy is to delay cord clamping for one minute whereas mine was cut straight away. No pp appointment to check my stitches was suggested or arranged, I did so on my own accord. I didn’t even know I had torn until I asked her multiple questions. I never found out how many stitches I received as she just kept saying “just a few”. She’s the right doctor for some people but I need someone who will listen to me. I definitely would not recommend her for anyone who likes to make informed decisions. If you want to hand everything over to your doctor then I’m sure she is great. She is very personable and upbeat.

I had a c-section with Dr. Hebl and it was traumatic; the left side of my stomach was not numb. I voiced it numerous times prior to the c-section (it was not an emergency c-section, either), to the anesthesiologist, to the doctor, all before surgery began and they assured me I would be fine. It was not fine. If you have ever felt a major abdominal surgery, it feels like searing hot, unbearable pain. I couldn’t hold my baby in the OR. After in the recovery room, they tried to retroactively give me more meds that made me so drowsy I couldn’t keep my eyes open. When I tried to discuss feeling the c-section with the doctor after, she suggested I talk to a social worker and said, “some people are more sensitive to pain than others.” The social worker also was confused about the referral and sent me the information for patient services to file a compliant with the hospital around pain management. It was traumatic, and made worse with a doctor who seemed to busy to listen or admit that… anything went amiss. Other people have had great experiences with her, I didn’t though and I wouldn’t wish this experience on anyone else. In your most vulnerable state, having a doctor who you trust and is willing to listen is paramount.

Dr. Hebl is the best doctor I’ve ever had! Their office gets busy, but the second she stepped in the room, it never felt like she was in a rush. She would take her time and answer any and all questions/concerns. She is so kind and welcoming! She is exactly who you want as a doctor during such a high stress time aka pregnancy! Can’t recommend her enough.