Dr. Pulsfus repeatedly violated my right of giving informed consent. He disrespected me, robbed me of my power and made me feel unheard during pregnancy, birth and after. I sadly entered my parenting journey with post-traumatic stress, anxiety and depression, and I am still affected by his actions 4 months later.

There were several instances each time we met that were not ok. He mocked me when I asked questions, didn’t give me any real answers, behaved cocky and rushed me at each appointment.

When he came to intervene during my birth, he failed to discuss things with me. He didn’t inform me about what the plan was, he didn’t give me any options or even enough information to make an informed decision on all the invasive procedures he performed. He coerced me to go on to my back by making me feel like there was no other choice if I wanted my baby to be safe - even though evidence suggests otherwise, and my choice would have been to be upright. His responses to my questions were not to inform but to direct. He ended up using a vacuum extractor without my consent. When I asked him at the 6-week check-up why he didn’t discuss the possibility of a vacuum extraction with me before using it, he said he didn‘t want to upset me. His excuse is patronizing at the least and doesn’t make sense if you consider that he had asked a nurse to get it in front of me. This and the fact that he also did a pap smear without my knowledge at that very same 6-week check-up appointment, shows that he chooses not to communicate or ask for informed consent. He doesn‘t value women as the key decision maker in their own care.

3 months after my traumatic birth experience I wrote him a kind letter, asking him to acknowledge my struggles. He flat out ignored it. When I called the practice to ask if my letter was received, they had me come in and see Elizabeth Meadows, a midwife. She was the one who finally took the time to shed some light on my questions and make me feel heard. She validated all my feelings and acknowledged, that things should not have happened the way they did. She apologised for what had happened to me and brought it to the attention of Dr. Searle, the chief partner of the practice, who also agreed that I was wronged. But despite other providers of this practice not agreeing with Dr. Pulsfus’s behavior, he still never answered my letter. His lack of response shows me that his behavior was more than just a simple mistake. He continues to do the exact things that traumatized me during birth and bothered me during the appointments: disrespecting me, ignoring me, not communicating with me and not hearing me. And he is getting away with it yet again.

That’s why I feel the need to write this review. I have given Dr. Pulsfus the chance to show me he cares several times and he brushed me off each time. He values his ego more than the women under his care and both me and my husband think that’s dangerous. It’s important to us that he doesn’t continue to do this to women. I believe that someone who can’t be compassionate and humble enough to give the women the respect they deserve in this vulnerable time should not be working in this field. Especially as a man, who doesn’t have (and never will have) the experiential wisdom of giving birth.

I know from speaking to other women that I am not the only one that he has done these things to and I hope that by sharing my story it will encourage others to speak up against this unacceptable behavior. It is every woman’s right to have autonomy over her body and her baby at all times. Informed consent is a fundamental human right and if he can’t drop his “doctor knows best” mentality and get over his ego, chances are he’s going to keep hurting more women. If you don’t want to risk experiencing obstetric violence stay away from him.

by Fanika xxx.xxx.228.217

September 16, 2020

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N/a

by Ml xxx.xxx.4.107

August 12, 2017

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Did the OBGYN's staff appear knowledgeable?

Very

by Anonymous xxx.xxx.241.205

March 12, 2014

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Did you notice a foul odor when you arrived at this provider's office?

No, I didn't notice an odor

Does this provider have helpful information available online?

Yes

Would you recommend this OBGYN to others?

I Already Have

Does this OBGYN use current and safe equipment?

Yes; the equipment is very advanced!

Did this provider thoroughly explain the risks and benefits of your treatment?

Yes, I felt informed when I left

by Anonymous xxx.xxx.14.23

September 03, 2013

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I had a very similar experience with this Dr. and there practice. I was 36 years old when I delivered my baby and they never not once gave me extra care or considered me to be high risk due to my age. When I delivered my baby my placenta didn't release from my uterus and it turned out I had Placenta accreta. This is a very serious condition but at the time I had no idea how dangerous it could be. I hemorrhaged after my delivery and had to have 2 blood transfusions. Then I was released from the hospital 2 days later. One week later I hemorrhaged at home and almost bleed to death. I had to be rush to the nearest hospital to my house and then the ER Dr. called Dr Pulfus (he was the Dr on call that night) the ER Dr. told him how bad my bleeding was and that I needed to be transported to him at the Flagler Hospital. He denied my transport and told me to get up and walk around and go home and then come into his office in the morning. My hemoglobin has an 8 the next morning when I woke up. That is very low and if I had hemorrhaged again I could have died having lost that much blood. When I spoke to him that night he acted as if it was no big deal and that I was bothering him. He was very inconsiderate and unprofessional. The ER Dr. told me not to leave the Hospital and told me she couldn't believe how he was acting. I stayed the night there just to be safe and then the next morning I went to his office and they preformed a D and C on me and I ended up having to have an emergency hysterectomy to save my life from the bleeding. There were so many things that these Dr.'s at OBGYN associates of St. Augustine could and should have done differently. Now I have a to live with this horrible nightmare for the rest of my life. I should have had an ultra sound after I delivered my baby and I should have been checked out further but I was just released and sent home. I do NOT recommend these Dr.'s or this practice to anyone! They have way to casual of an approach! I could have lost my life and that was my first baby and I will never be able to have any more children. It's so sad.

by Karen Dillard xxx.xxx.14.145

May 26, 2012

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My wife and I had a miscarriage 4 months ago. We were going at the time to the OBGYN in Flagler Hospital. On the 23 of October my wife was pregnant again. So we made an appointment with Dr. Pulsfus. She had an ultra sound done and it was still to soon to see a heart beat. After 1 more week we came back and there was a heart beat and growth. Thy told us everything was perfect and we will see you in 4 weeks. (No blood work was done) That was on a Thursday on Friday my Wife was bleeding and called the Dr office and asked for her docter checked her file and after my wife told them that she was bleeding thy said. " O I'm sorry here on your file the only thing it says is that there was no heart beat possible miscarriage" My wife was devastated and stressed. on Saturday She miscarriage on her own. we had an appointment this past Monday. thy didn't take any tests. Nothing was in her file. no info at all. No questions about what she saw were asked just a pat in the back and on we went. Didn't even ask if she saw it pass all the way. She could be at risk if she still has tissue that didn't pass. Worst of it all there was nothing in her file from our 2 visits. He said that he had it in his head he was going to remember that he was going to see us in 4 weeks. Did not want to check her hormone levels, apparently he dose not believe in hormonal treatment for women that need a little help to have a successful pregnancy and that its normal to have 3 before you have a successful one... My wife went under a lot of stress that day that she spoke to one of his nurses for her not telling my wife the right information I had my wife crying all night without sleep. And the next day she miscarried I really hope this didn't cause her to miscarry. Will not be going back to that OBGYN ever again and will not be recommending them to anyone especially DR. Pulsfus

by DR

November 16, 2011

Eric Pulsfus, MD

Consumer Feedback

Eric Pulsfus, MD

Gynecologists & Obstetricians (OBGYN)

Sherri Maetozo, MD

Saint Augustine, FL

Women's Health Care-St Aug

Saint Augustine, FL

OBGyn Associates of St. Augustine

Saint Augustine, FL

OBGyn Associates of St. Augustine

Saint Augustine, FL

Consumer Feedback