Dr. Jennifer A. Hallowell, MD

"Dr. Hallowell delivered my daughter in 2016. I know that I am writing this late but as I am currently pregnant with my second baby, it led me to look into her once again. I had a traumatic experience at BMC. I saw her for an OB appt prior to delivery in which I expressed my wishes to deliver naturally without any medication, I was laughed at and discouraged from trying. Regardless, I still tried and was in labor for 24 hours unmedicated. Then shift change came at BMC and the new provider was Dr. Hallowell. She walked in looking rather frantic and said, "No baby! It's taking too long, I'm going to do a c section" and walked out. It was not a question as to whether or not I wanted it, she told me she was doing it. There was no medical reason or indication for my cesarean other than that I was taking up space and she didn't want to wait. I did not know at that time that I had the right to refuse, I was young and scared and so I went with what the doctor said. I was at 6cm when she performed my c section, when I was induced I was not dilated at all so it wasn't like I wasn't progressing. I had an allergic reaction to the medication they give you before the cesarean and was vomiting during it. I was told I was "being dramatic" and to "stop" while I was uncontrollably vomiting. Baby was born and despite her being healthy and having a good APGAR score, they did not allow my husband to cut the umbilical cord. Being pregnant again, I refused to step foot in Baystate because of this provider and the birth trauma I still have. I felt defenseless and pushed into a decision that wasn't mine and cried constantly in postpartum thinking my body had failed me when it didn't, she did. As a health care professional, I hate to put providers down but I honestly believe that practicing in the way she did with me is unethical and regardless of age, socioeconomic factors, etc every patient should have a say and should have benefits/risks discussed with them prior to any procedures. I did not receive that courtesy or any respect from this provider. As it has been 6 years, I hope that her practices have changed but I would personally never return to her."

"I used dr Hallowell as my obgyn for my first pregnancy; between the months of June 2020 and January 2021, when I delivered my son. I sufferent from severe pain my entire pregnancy. I was always calling and coming in from being extremely sick. My iron wasn’t check at the end of my pregnancy, resulting in becoming extremely anemic. When I went to birth my son, via induction. She completely ignored my wishes. I was concerned with a natural birth because of how small I was. She ignored that. I begged for a c section 4 different times and she ignored that. I begged her to do an episiotomy 2 times and she said NO. I ended up tearing TWICE. she ignored putting stitches in my tears. I had started hemorrhaging causing me to lost 1/2 of my blood volume. Which only started out being half of my normal blood volume due to being anemic. I had to go back into the office a week later for stitches in my second degree tear (Ontop of this I was given no pain medication after birth AT ALL) I was in extreme pain for nearly 2 months after.. I suffered ptsd from my experience and I have deep fears of having anymore babies sadly.. I truly hope she feels remorse for the decisions she made that day. But it’s doubtful."

"I came in for a new patient appointment after moving from Ohio to Mass. When I first arrived everyone on the staff acted like I was a burden for being there and that they all didn’t want to be. Then when I finally met Dr. Hallowell, she came in the room and before even saying hello or introducing herself, she started berating me on all the reasons why I will never get pregnant. I have PCOS, so I know it is a bit of a challenge, but instead of wanting to help me, she straight up acted like I am infertile and I will never bear my own children. She was rude and blunt and insensitive all while staring at her computer. I cannot warn people enough to avoid this “doctor”. An OBGYN appointment is already a vulnerable situation, but to be belittled, berated, and told I need counseling to help “persuade me to give up child bearing” was traumatic. All because I just needed to find a new doctor in my new state."