Anna Luisa Raffaelli, CNM, MN

My experience with Dr Anna started out good and dwindled very quickly. There were a lot of fat-phobic comments she made that I swept under the rug when I should have pushed back. I wouldnt recommend her to anyone who isnt conventionally skinny. My BMI (antiquated inaccurate system of health measurement) wasnt ideal going into my pregnancy, however I am a muscular woman who weight lifts consistently and consider myself healthy. Dr Anna was diligent in checking my blood pressure and diabetes for the typical signs of high risk pregnancy with higher BMI, but I passed all those with flying colors. The whole time it felt like she was waiting for me to fail and scaring me when I felt and looked healthy. In my first and second trimester, I was working 2 full time jobs. One desk job, and one catering that required me to lift heavy things and be on my feet all day. I asked her if I could get a temporary disability parking pass to make my grocery trips easier since I also took care of my household after working 80hrs a week and she looked at me and said no, I want you to walk as much as possible. She knew I was working 2 jobs and knew about my plantar fasciitis and low back issues+that I was active to begin with but still chose to say that. I think if she listened to me, she would know to recommend rest and recuperation, not more exercise. At my 37 week appointment she switched up her generally supportive demeanor and started asking me about induction. She told me I was at a high risk for stillbirth after 39 weeks of pregnancy. This really scared me and I went home terrified to lose my child. After a week of thinking on it, speaking with my doula, researching and reading, I asked if I could push it to 40 weeks because Im generally healthy other than my BMI. Ive felt great throughout my pregnancy and its been a breeze. There was no medical reasoning behind her being pushy. I asked if shes had personal experience with what she was saying and she didnt have an answer for me. She then kept insisting and telling me other providers wont be as nice to you as Im being to which I didnt know what to say. Im all for doing whats right for my baby but youre telling me to risk induction for my first baby and risk cesarean, which I dont take lightly, because you believe, with no medical basis, that I will have a stillborn child. At least explain it to me so I can make an informed decision. Have a conversation. Build up my trust that you have my best interest at heart. But there wasnt any of that. She suggested an ultrasound at 41 weeks to make sure baby is okay, but when scheduling she said shes on call that week so she might not be available. This clicked things for me, she wanted to induce me for her own scheduling needs, which I read about doctors doing but always thought it couldnt be true. I should have changed providers sooner but Im extremely disappointed in the care I received from her. It didnt seem like she listened to what I was sharing and didnt want to discuss things with me but just push her own narrative. I didnt feel empowered or cared for in the last weeks of seeing her. I felt pushed, scared, and like my excitement was being taken away. This will be my first child and I hope other providers at WHA will be more supportive and less fear mongering than Dr Anna has been. I suggest she reads Dr Sara Wickhams works and opens her mind to the possibility that bigger women can have healthy, happy pregnancies.
Apr 27th, 2024

Anna cared for my fiance and I through our pregnancy. She is a kind, compassionate, empathetic, and above all, knowledgeable provider. She was there for us through the routine, through any frustrations, and was always able to offer the right encouragement and help to my fiance. Anna helped us not only through the pregnancy, but also labor and proved to be everything we wanted and needed in a provider. When we have our next, we would be very lucky to have her as a provider.
Aug 26th, 2019

Anna is truly one of a kind. She makes you feel so comfortable in your appointments, shes funny, professional and above all, so caring. I thank her so much for helping my pregnancy go so smooth! I highly recommend Anna to anyone looking for a midwife!
Sep 30th, 2018