Linda Anna Dashiell, RN, CNM

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I knew of Linda when I worked as a doula (birth attendant) and some of my clients were birthing through her. During my 3rd pregnancy I went to her for a quick check when I started bleeding at 9 weeks. I really liked her positive attitude and natural approach to child birth.



My first three babies were born at-home with a midwife. When I got pregnant with my fourth the midwives I had used before were no longer working in the area so I turned to Linda for prenatals until I figured out what I was going to do. I liked her so much, at first, that I considered giving birth in the hospital so I could continue my care with her (which for me is a VERY foreign and scary concept).



Then some things started to creep up. After several prenatals I noticed she never spent any time with me (about 3 minutes per visit). She was lax on too much testing (which I liked) but would push odd tests here and there in what appeared to be very random fashion.



Then came the horrible event. She consulted with me on a new test we both thought I should take because of some family history. At my next appointment she very casually strolled into the room and while looking at her clip board told me I had tested positive on this test (for a potentially fatal disease).



I was shocked. I asked her questions but all she said was that I should follow up with a specialist after I had my baby (three months away). My mother was currently dying of this medical condition and had only been diagnosed 4 months ago so waiting three months to follow up on the issue seemed absurd.



I finally talked her into calling the specialist to see what I should be doing and she said she would get back to me on it. I then broke down and started crying. She WALKED OUT OF THE ROOM.



I collected myself and went home. I waited for her to get back to me and days went by. When she finally did, about five days later, she had virtually no knew information. She said that the specialist had said to come see him after my pregnancy.



I asked what that meant and if this new test had ever been tested on a pregnant woman. She never returned my messages. Over the course of the next week I hunted down the lab who does the testing and found out this test always yields a positive result on pregnant women and should not be tested on them!



I was relieved that I didn't have the condition but I couldn't believe Linda still would not get back to me. I sent her the results from the lab and STILL heard nothing from her. Weeks went by. I canceled my next appointment and tracked down a homebirth midwife.



After a month and a half her nurse called my home and wanted to know if I was coming back. I told her I had transferred my care to a homebirth midwife. The nurse asked me who and when I told her her the midwife's name she made derogatory comments about her (not so professional). She then said that because I was on Medi-Cal, for low income, that she would have to "report me" because I could afford a homebirth midwife.



She told me, "You'll be hearing from them." In a menacing tone.



I wasn't worried because I'm legitimately low income and because I'm doing a payment plan and work trade with the midwife but what a horrible thing do and say. No concern for me, my baby or my birth, just some mean comments and an attempt to get me in trouble with my insurance.



I cannot in good conscious recommend this woman for care. Those days I spent thinking I was DYING and she would not even return my phone calls or emails were honestly the worst days of my life. In the end Linda and her staff showed not only disregard for me and my baby but blatant cruelty.