Dr. Howard L. Schafer, MD

Dr. Schafer seemed very quiet and polite throughout my pregnancy. When I asked him questions, he answered to the best of his ability. With him being a male, I felt like he didnt have the experience I was looking for as a first time mother. When I went into labor the nurse who was in the room, whom I had never met before, seemed perfectly nice and encouraging although completely clueless about child birth. My baby was posterior and while I now realize that the extreme back pain I experienced was a symptom of that, no attempt was made to turn the baby or to position me better for a natural birth, which is what a I had communicated to him. Side note: I was very clear that my biggest fear was a c section. Even though his c section rate was high, almost 50%, I continued on with him as my doctor becasue of the good reviews I had heard. Anyway, the nurse helped as much as she could, maybe it was her first day, I dont know. Shift changes, and another nurse cane, although just as clueless. I was basically left alone. I desperately wanted help, and didnt know what to do. Dr. finally strolls in after Ive been in labor for about 14 hours, sticks his hand up there and claims without any emotion that I needed a c section. No explanation, other than the babys head wasnt coming down. I asked if I could push for a little longer and he literally said, I have another appointment at 1:25. I let him and his staff know that my epidural was wearing off, and I was concerned about being sliced open without anesthesia. They reassured me that I would get more medication. He cut me open, realized baby was bigger than what he thought, and then just physically ripped my abdomen open the rest of the way, so I have a pretty gnarly scar 6.5 years later. The entire time I was screaming in pain, in my mind. Because I was going into shock, I couldnt speak. I could feel every single cut of his blade through each layer of my abdominal wall. I could feel her head emerge, and even more painful, the shoulders. She was born at 12:35, just enough time for him to make it to his next appointment. Being stitched up afterwards was a special form of torture. I could feel every stitch while my baby cried in a corner where I couldnt see her. After the birth, I suffered from PTSD, and wasnt really healed from that until I had a natural VBAC with the wonderful midwives at Arnett 3 years later. I requested an appointment with him after the birth, hoping to discuss what happened. I had so many questions. The secretary said that he wouldnt be available for 6-10 months and that most mothers just see a nurse afterwards. I said I would wait 6 months, thats fine. He canceled the appointment in October, and I just went in to see the nurse as he clearly didnt want to see me. I actually ran into him in the hallway and he made just smiled and walked away quickly. The nurse looked at my paperwork and read from the he notes that my baby was posterior and that was really all the closure I got. If you want an impersonal experience, if you want a a c section, then I think he would be a fine fit.
May 4th, 2019

Dr. Schafer is THE BEST! He makes you feel like you are his only patient and is the only OB doctor at IU who delivers all of his patients (regardless of whether he's on call). My first pregnancy was a 30 hour labor and I pushed for 3 hours...he literally sat at the end of my bed for the entire 3 hours while I pushed. I've also had three miscarriages and he personally called me to talk to me and give me his condolences and recommendations. He's very busy but thats because he is such an awesome doctor. I hope he sticks around for awhile because I love him!
Nov 3rd, 2017

Dr Schafer is AMAZING! I have been a patient now for over 10 years and has the best bedside manner and always delivers his babies. I had a scare a few years go medically and he called me to let me know what was going on and what our next step would be. Our second baby was born with a minor issue and he made sure we did everything to make sure that my son stayed healthy and he monitored everything! I could not ask for a better doctor. He is amazing!
Jul 6th, 2017

Nov 25th, 2016

Amazing bed side manner, great surgeon. Overall extremely happy with him as a doctor. He is great! I Highly recommend him.
Jan 28th, 2015