FirstHealth OB/GYN with Southern Pines Women's Health Center

Saw Dr. Byron for most of my pregnancy, he was great & Dr. Richberg delivered my baby boy. Highly recommend Dr. Richberg, he listens & cares very much. I DO NOT recommend the midwife Lauren Carriker.

If I could individually rate each provider I saw during my pregnancy I would. A couple of providers I loved and highly recommend are Dr Caleb Pearce, NP Melissa Mang, Dr Castano and Dr Lowry. But let me tell you, while there are great providers here there is one I absolutely DO NOT LIKE OR RECOMMEND. And that is DR BYRON, avoid him if you can and here’s why, I saw him for my first prenatal visit. I got put in a room and was given a gown to do an exam and a vaginal ultrasound. He nor his nurse did not once tell me what he was going to do before doing it or even warn me that he was about to touch me. I don’t mean to be graphic on here but if I can warn other women of how HORRIBLE this man has made me and other women feel then so be it. Starting the exam, he had me lay back and without saying a word opens my gown and starts examining my breasts, once he was done, he goes to go the vaginal exam, and THE WHOLE TIME does not tell me what to expect whether it be if he was going to touch me or put in the speculum or ANYTHING. He examines me with the speculum and takes swabs and then once he took the speculum out, WITHOUT WARNING inserts his fingers to check my cervix. And then he did the transvaginal ultrasound and we talked about the baby and that was it. I had a hard time processing what happened and I felt very violated. I never saw him again and refused to schedule with him for any of my prenatal visits. Unfortunately when I went into labor he was the dr on call. I didn’t think I had a choice, looking back, I wish I would’ve demanded to see another dr. At one point after I had gotten the epidural, he checked me (i was at a 9) and then left. Came back soon after and starts to put a glove on to check me again (without asking if I wanted to be checked) and as he’s walking towards me, I tell him no I do not want to be checked, he seemed taken back. And tells me that he has another mom about to push so he just needs to make sure he knows who to be with first. And I said well I don’t feel the need to push, but I’ll let y’all know when I do. It seemed like it bothered him that I told him no and refused the cervical check. He left and delivered the other mom and came back with plenty of time to set up for my delivery. So now I’m 10cm and ready to push, keep in mind this is my 3rd child, so it’s not my first time. He tells me to lay on my back, I was already on my side and said no I want to push on my side. He huffed about that and makes a comment on how it’s not an optimal position for pushing. Whatever. Once he was ready for me to push, this man PUT BOTH HIS HANDS IN ME to hold me open! WHO TF DOES THAT?! I have NEVER had a dr do that to me and I’ve given birth to two other children! He does this and THEN tells me to push. There was absolutely NO REASON for this man to do that to me. It was VIOLATING and UNNECESSARY!

I am not the only person that has had BAD experiences with this dr, and I’ve heard multiple women complain about him. But nothing is being done about it. I tried to make a formal complaint but all they did was have me talk to some lady and she said she would “speak with him.” I refused to see him for my postpartum visit and everytime I think about my birth, I want to freaking cry. I highly doubt anything will come of this but JESUS, SPEAK UP. If you’ve had a bad experience with him or any other Dr, freaking speak up or nothing will change!

Dr.Lowery and his staff are amazing! They truly care about their patients.