Beware of Dr. Frances Kim of Trinity Women's Health

Dr. Kim immediately informed me that I would be a scheduled C-section due to two prior C-sections. She would not allow me to even attempt a natural delivery. She also said, “You should have your tubes tied too while we’re in there. It’s standard for advance maternal age mothers like you.” I’m aware and understand the risks and reasons why the medical community won’t allow VBAC’s (vaginal birth after cesarean), but that is another controversial discussion in and of itself. A home birth is what I wanted. Fast forward nearly 9 months later and what I wanted no longer mattered. Now, it was what was best for my breech baby.

After approximately 2 hours of being monitored, a pelvic exam, and ultrasound to confirm breech position, it was determined that I wasn’t in labor. I had previously informed the nurse that I had eaten a large meal before driving to the hospital and the nurse told me if I had surgery it probably wouldn’t occur within the next couple hours due to having a full stomach. It was a wait game for results from the ultrasound that would tell the doctor the level of amniotic fluid in my uterus. Nurse Jeanne told me that if my amniotic fluid was at a 5 or above that I would be sent home.

When the results finally came, it showed my level was at 5.03. I was relieved because I expected to be taken off the monitoring equipment and released. That was not the case. Shortly after, Nurse Jeanne came back and told me Dr. Kim wanted to deliver via C-section and was on her way. Her ETA was approximately 15 minutes. Within minutes I had a barrage of medical personnel prepping me for surgery.

Stunned, scared, extremely upset, and livid I was lied to, I quickly asked the nurse for a phone to call my husband. The nurse let me use her phone and I told my husband to “hurry up and get here because they’re going to cut me open in about 15 minutes!” My husband was flustered & frantic because now he had to try to get a hold of his mother at 11:00 p.m. to immediately come and watch our children. He told me it would take him at least 45 minutes until he could arrive. I was filled with worry that my husband would be unable to make it. Shortly after we spoke, I broke down crying and explained to the nurse that I wanted and needed my husband there and didn’t want to go into surgery alone. Any woman’s husband/partner has every right to attend the birth of his child!

It was at that moment Dr. Kim walked in and asked if everything was ready. Nurse Jeanne told her, “We are waiting for dad,” as she stroked my arm in attempt to comfort me. That attempt was futile with the frigid and blasé remark given by Dr. Kim, “Well, if he makes it he makes it, if he don’t he don’t.” Hearing this caused me to break down even further. I was flabbergasted at how cruel and insensitive this doctor was and the look on the Nurse Jeanne’s face agreed. Needless to say, this was the last thing I expected to hear from any doctor, especially a woman!

The next person to speak to me was the anesthesiologist. He introduced himself and proceeded to ask me the routine questions of which one was, “when was the last time you ate or drank anything?” I explained to him that I had eaten a salad, 3 slices of pizza, and an ice tea prior to my arrival. He had a surprised look upon his face as he looked at the nurse and asked, “…and Dr. Kim still wants to operate?” The nurse shook her head yes in response. So, not only does Dr. Kim have an extremely appalling bedside manner, but had no concern for my surgical safety.

I called my husband again for an update and he was just leaving to the hospital, but it would still take him 30 min to arrive. After I updated the nurse, Dr. Kim returned asking if we were ready and was told, “Dad’s not here yet”. Dr. Kim didn’t care and wanted to get on with surgery. With the knowledge gained from my previous surgeries, I stood up for myself this time around!

In an assertive manner, I reminded Dr. Kim that I wasn’t in labor and all other tests show my baby is fine. I highly doubted waiting an additional 30 to 45 minutes would hurt my baby. With an attitude she said, “I called the surgery in 30 minutes and it’s been 30 minutes.” I was livid and began being antagonistic towards her and said, “I don’t like you at all or when I first met you 9 months ago! Your bedside manner appalling and I don’t want you touching me or my baby!” I knew I hadn’t signed any documents authorizing the surgery and in front of everyone I said, “I’m leaving AMA (against medical advice)! I’ll go to a different hospital or just come back tomorrow when you’re not here” Dr. Kim then began using scare tactics to try and bully me into the surgery.

She proceeded to tell me that my baby’s amniotic fluid was very low, it’s unknown for how long, and by leaving I risk me and/or my baby dying. Again, I repeated, “I don’t want you touching me or my baby.” Dr. Kim responded, “Fine, I don’t want to operate on anyone who doesn’t want me to.” I asked for the AMA document to sign and Dr. Kim’s last words were “unbelievable.” After Dr. Kim left my bed, Nurses Jeanne and Stacey fervently tried to convince me to stay.

Stacey told me they had the best hospital and reassured me that Dr. Kim is a good doctor and knows what she’s doing. Stacey said, “I’m going to cry. I want you to have your baby here; I’ll be in there with you. We want you to have a nice experience at our hospital.” “Well it’s certainly not off to a great start!” I replied. I then asked, “After all you saw and heard between Dr. Kim and myself, would you want her operating on you?!” Both nurses could only give a blank stare and “well, no” shrug and expression upon their faces. Nurse Jeanne said she would be back with the paperwork for me to sign so I could leave. She asked me a final time if there was anything she could do to change my mind. I told her there wasn’t.

About 10 minutes later, I signed the AMA form, was taken off the monitoring equipment and walked out. Out of concern, the nurse informed me to do my kick counts, drink plenty of fluids, and go to Rancho Springs Medical Center if there is any hint of labor or problem. Once in my car, I called my husband, who was almost at the hospital, and told him I’d meet him back home. The next day, we decided it be best to go to Loma Linda’s main campus.

On December 7th, under the care of a much kinder, patient, and compassionate triage and surgical team, we welcomed our third son into the world via C-section. This surgery was the best experience compared to my previous surgeries. Every person involved with my overall care from admission to release was exceptional.

According to the LLUMC’s website, their mission is to “to continue the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus Christ.” I think most people would agree that Dr. Kim’s response to me does not comply with that statement. In fact, her lack of compassion makes the hospital appear to give lip service, have complete disregard for physicians who don’t uphold their mission, or simply don’t care about any grievances that come across the desk of the grievance coordinator.

Six weeks later I contacted the grievance coordinator and to date I haven’t received any update as to what, if any, action was taken against Dr. Kim. Honestly, I don’t expect anything to be done because it appears upper hospital administration don’t care. I strongly urge pregnant mom’s to stay away from Trinity Women’s Health, especially Dr. Kim. There are plenty of negative reviews on their old Facebook Page and on Yelp.