After pretty constant complications, I went into labor at 21 weeks. Unfortunately, Dr. Osterwald was on rotation that morning when I went to the hospital. Not only did she not consult with the MFM doctors I'd been seeing regularly, but she told me to ignore their advice about when to come to the hospital. She did not listen when I said I thought I was having mild contractions. Two hours after being discharged by Dr. Osterwald, I was admitted because I was in fact in labor.

Submitted Aug. 12, 2019

Hello! My name is Karen and I am responding on behalf of St. Luke's. We are sorry that you had an uncomfortable experience at our practice. There are opportunities for St. Luke’s staff to learn from your experience and we will. We serve a large LGBTQ patient population and we want you to feel comfortable with the care we provide to you. We would like to speak with you and discuss your concerns directly. Our goal is to see how we can make this right, refer you to another St. Luke’s practice where you would be more comfortable and/or connect you with a gynecologic specialist at our transgender clinic. Please call Jennifer at St. Luke’s Women’s Care OB/GYN at 610-820-0300.

Submitted July 7, 2017

My experience with Dr. Basha was not good. I am a trans male, and this was my first visit to a gynecologist. I haven't taken hormones or gotten surgeries, but I am still a trans male. I walked into the office and the woman behind the glass asked me if I was in the right place because it appeared I "didn't belong here." I told her I was seeing Dr. Basha and that I was in the right place. After receiving my paperwork, I looked up to see three of the staff members clearly talking about me behind the glass and looking at me. The woman who led me into the exam room was clearly uncomfortable and stumbling over herself and asking if I was female, to which I explained that I identify as a man but was born female and no longer identify as that gender. Then she hands me a bright pink gown to wear which made me extremely uncomfortable. Not everyone who comes into their office wants to wear pink. Shortly after, Dr. Basha came in and began to make comments that I found rude. For example, "so you're in the process of transitioning but you're not done yet because you haven't gotten hormones or surgeries?" and "well whether you like it or not you have a uterus whose job is to bleed and a cervix that needs checking." Not all trans men need hormones or surgeries to feel valid. It is when comments and assumptions like these are passed onto us that we feel invalidated, and I was not expecting that kind of ignorance from a medical professional. Also, it isn't a question of if I like it or not that I have a cervix that needs checking or a uterus that bleeds. In fact, that's exactly why I was there in the first place. Many trans men feel uncomfortable when their sexual organs are being described at all because it is crushing enough to have sexual organs that don't align with your identity and can make a trans man feel uncomfortable. It also invalidates their feelings of masculinity and assumes that trans men just don't "like" having a cervix or uterus. It is completely out of line and I did not appreciate the insensitivity. If I were not as confident or comfortable in my body, I would have been very negatively affected. Nothing about my appointment made me feel comfortable or validated, especially when they would consistently use the wrong pronouns when referring to me, even after I told them how I identify. Every misgendering is heard and felt by every trans individual. It hurts and shows blatant disrespect of a trans person's identity. I did end up getting what I needed from the appointment, that being a check-up and a medication to help manage my periods so I am less dysphoric. Dysphoria is a disconnection with your body that most trans people feel because their physical body does not match what they feel inside. Everything about this appointment could have, and did, trigger some dysphoria in me. It could have been a lot worse, but this was bad enough. This is Dr. Osterwald's practice and staff, and I hold them all accountable. To anyone who this matters to, this practice is not LGBTQ friendly.

Submitted June 15, 2017

Patient, attentive, compassionate, caring, and extremely detailed in her questions and observations as I would expect any doctor to be. She's a very kind and personable doctor, professional and mild mannered. I had a difficult time with my last child. I'm very thankful for her help in delivering this adorable baby. Couldn't do it without her. God bless her always.

Submitted Jan. 26, 2015

Dr. Osterwald took care of me through all three of my pregnancies. My first was delivered by C-section. The nurses at the hospital told me she's the best they've ever seen with surgery and stitches. My second pregnancy was ectopic and she performed an emergency laparoscopy on me in the middle of the night to remove the pregnancy; again, with great skill. My third was a vaginal birth and she was, once again, extremely competent with the delivery and stitches. It's true that she doesn't have a warm and fuzzy personality, but she is extremely professional and excellent at what she does. An OB/GYN cannot always keep an exact schedule as emergencies and births occur all the time. She deserves credit for what she does. She is up all hours of the night with her patients during these times. I can personally attest to that as two of my situations ran through the night. She spends a lot of time away from her own family to take care of others. I am grateful for her!

Submitted July 16, 2013

I agree that at times she seems cold, however she was with me every step of the way during my pregnancy. She called me personally after hours to discuss testing/prescriptions. I needed an unscheduled c-section she immediately scheduled it for that day. I agree the wait times can be long- but that's part of going to a private practice where there is not a group of doctors. Dr. Osterwald deliveries every baby..so you always know who you are getting in the hospital. After my daughter was born, she gave me terrific care in the hospital, visitng me each morning and she is skilled in using internal stiches, not staples. I would not leave her!

Submitted March 6, 2013

Dr. Osterwald performed a laproscopy on me to determine why I was having difficulty getting pregnant. After the procedure, I felt horrible and hardly able to stand, but they had me leave anyway. I still remember standing there, my eyes pleading for help, but was helped only out the door. A few days later I had to undergo emergency surgery to repair my nicked intestine, which had been bleeding internally. It was one of the most horrid experiences of my life, as I spent days in the hospital, intubated, drugged, and painfully recovering.

Submitted Feb. 12, 2013

She does answer your questions, but seems moody or annoyed at times. I didn't like the fact that she brought in a trainee to examine me, without asking me first. That was a painful experience for me, considering I have fibroids. I had spotting for about a week after and I'm through menopause. I think I'll be seeking out a new dr.

Submitted July 12, 2012

A friend referred Dr. Osterwald to me with the warning that she "doesn't have great bedside manner but is a great surgeon". Being a person who is more concerned with competence than personality, I had no problem with Dr. Osterwald's to-the-point, direct, no-nonsense style. I couldn't have asked for a better doctor when I had some recent complications from surgery: she spoke to the emergency room staff, contacted me for follow up and was very thorough in my hospital care. Through this experience I learned that she really IS a kind, compassionate, humorous and patient doctor. She answers every question thoroughly (sometimes TOO thoroughly), returns phone calls after hours if needed, and is generally everything I was looking for in a gyn. My only complaint is the wait time for appointments; however, if I were in an emergency situation she is the doctor I'd want to take care of things, so I understand when things come up, usually.

Submitted Aug. 26, 2011

I loved having her as a doctor. She was quiet, yet I knew I was in good hands. I ended up with a breech baby, she did everything she could to keep both of us safe. At some points I did have to wait in the waiting room, but I have had that with all OB's at some point.

Submitted Aug. 2, 2011