Heidi J Knickerbocker, MD

I have been seeing Dr. Knickerbocker that since I was 18, over 20 years ago. She is the best doctor I have ever seen. I still fly up to Seattle to see her every year. Please never retire!

Wow! Unilocal didn’t let me down. I needed a new OBGYN doc since mine retired, so I turned to Unilocal to help me find one. I called Dr. Knickerbocker’s office last week to schedule an annual exam and they were able to fit me in that day since they had a cancellation. The front desk person was polite and an helpful with the insurance paper work, as was the nurse that took down my initial information. The highlight though, is Dr. Knickerbocker. If only we had more doctors like her, our medical care system might actually function. Just like all the other reviewers said, she actually takes time to get to know you, your history, what is going on in your life and what you are looking for medically. She was able to answer my questions about antibiotics, birth control options and general medical questions in a clear, concise and easy to understand way without being condescending. She genuinely cares for her patients and wants to help make sure you are healthy and stay healthy. I will absolutely recommend her to others!

I had my first appointment with Dr. Knickerbocker yesterday for an annual checkup, and I was pleasantly surprised. Unlike other doctors whom I’ve encountered so far, she actually took time (around 20 minutes) to sit and talk to me, find out more about my history and hear what bothers me. She then gave me some time to change and was super nice during the checkup. I would definitely recommend her to others!

I moved to Seattle a year ago and after a lot of research, I decided on Dr. Knickerbocker.
She’s great. It’s nice finding a doctor who is straightforward and direct while still being kind and personable. She put me at ease and after having heard stories about how awful pap smears are, I was surprised when she said she was all done, because I hardly felt a thing. No discomfort at all. Aside from the obvious foreign object being all up in your business.
I was also pleased to not get pushback or a «no way, you’re too young» stance when asking about permanent birth control at the age of 24. Heidi was totally understanding and is of the mindset that a woman’s body is just that — her body. She referred me to Dr. Brandon at Ballard Women’s Health (who is also great!) to get a consultation and then schedule for Essure.
I really like Dr. Knickerbocker and would absolutely recommend her if you’re looking for a gynecologist!

Although Dr. Knickerbocker is fast at performing exams, she’s also quick to judge. I’ve gone to her a few times over several years, and always found her «to the point» responses time saving, but in May of this year, I was very offended by her bedside manner.
I didn’t appreciate her condescending advice (it was the delivery, not the content) and her insulting jabs at my age and being an «older parent».
I won’t be returning to her care. The last thing I want when I get pregnant is ridicule from a «professional».

This is by far the best gynecologist I’ve ever had. She’s honest and forthright– a rare and wonderful quality to have in your doctor. My visit was on time, Dr. K came in and talked to me BEFORE the undressing part just to talk over any concerns I may have had and get to know me. The actual pap smear part was quick and painless, and she helped me with every question I had. I felt like she had been my doctor forever, because it was very laid back and comfortable to talk with her. (On top of which, the front desk staff were amazing in figuring out how to get the most out of my insurance plan!) As long as I’m living in Seattle, Dr. Knickerbocker will be my «lady-​doctor» of choice. Go to her, you won’t regret it!

there was diffentially no warm and fuzzy feeling with her no smiles nothing! she told me several times since i dont work i have all the time in the world and need to spend my days exercising rather then doing my other household tasks. i was trying to tell her that my spouse and i have been trying to have a baby for 2 years and for two years ihave been doing home ovulation tests and iam not ovulating. She then told me to loose 40 pounds (by using her bs diet plan that she had in her office) and do basil testing and once ilost weight i would get pregnant. SHe then told me to come back in 4 months for a follow up. I am 33 yrs old i know my body and i knew something was just not right, when i told her this she looked at me like i was an idiot. I left her office feeling horrible and depressed. After i got home a made a few calls and went and saw a midwife come to find out i dont ovulate i have a period, but do not ovulate so i am currently on clomid to force and ovulation. Needless to say a month later after all this i get a phone call from Dr. Knickerbocker tell me my pap came back abnormal and she overlooked my file on her desk. really are your kidding me how unprofessional. then to make matters worse she took it upon herself to make me an appointment since i dont work and all i have all the time in the world for her. I would not recommend her to anyone!

Generally, finding a new GYN ranks right up there with getting a root canal. It’s really difficult to find someone that you feel comfortable with and actually like. I made an appointment with Dr. Knickerbocker based on the good reviews here and went in with low expectations. I was pleasantly surprised. The office was easy to locate and the staff were all very friendly and welcoming. Dr. Knickerbocker was awesome. She actually sat down and talked with me like I’d been seeing her for years. She asked questions and listened to my answers, spending time with me and never making me feel like she was rushing to get to her next patient. She’s really very personable. I liked that she was honest and respectful, and I appreciate her tell it like it is viewpoint. I’m not a pink and fuzzy sort of person and don’t like things sugar coated. I want someone that is knowledgable in their field, which Dr. Knickerbocker is. I really recommend her and am so thankful I found her.

I have been going to Dr. Knickerbocker for about 18 years. She was my ob and now is my gyno. I respect and like her quite a lot. She is a tell it like it is kind of Dr. She is kind and respectful. She does not do a lot of hand holding, but more than that she takes the time to listen. I have lived all over King Co. and still make the drive to Ballard. A Gyno. you like and trust is a hard thing to find. I’m sticking with Dr. K.

Dr. Knickerbocker is one of the most caring and dedicated physicians I know. This Thursday I was just in her office for a procedure and the office is closed tomorrow. She was so worried about how I would react to the procedure over the next three days that she gave me her cell phone number to call in case I had problems and need treatment before Monday. She is thorough and detailed and I see she has a passion for her work. I agree with Katherine that she is honest, laidback, truthful and real. Over the course of my visits she has become more warm and fuzzy. Most importantly, she knows her research and always takes the time to answer my questions and makes sure I am well informed.

Dr. K is amazing! She is the first doctor who has actually listened and been open to what I want. I’m confused by some of the older reviews that say «she isn’t warm and fuzzy». I don’t want my gynecologist to give me hugs, I want one that is well informed and leaves me feeling happy and informed from my experience. She has a very no pressure attitude and really knows her stuff. I was afraid during my initial exam because I’ve had some bad experiences, but she chatted with me the whole time and was done before I knew it. I will definitely come back and have already recommended her to my friends.

I just had my first appointment with Dr. Knickerbocker and it was a very pleasant experience all around. When I called because I couldn’t find the office, a staff member came out with her cell phone and waved me in, even helped me find a parking space! Everyone was extremely polite and friendly.
I was thrilled that Dr. K took plenty of time with me to answer all my questions and was able to diagnose my problem quickly and give me an easy solution! Yay! She was easygoing, nice, laid back, and humorous. I am actually looking forward to my next yearly exam!

Dr. Knickerbocker is probably one of the nicest doctors I’ve ever seen (and I’ve seen a lot of doctors!). She answered every one of my questions like she has known me forever. She was honest, laid back, truthful and real. She spent a lot of time with me and I never felt rushed. My other gyno really tried to push a vaccine on me and Dr. K said it wasn’t necessary. She talked to me about my health problems and having a baby, even though I’m not planning to have one for a couple of years. When I drop the «home birth» bomb, most doctors look at me like I’m crazy and tell me how bad it is and she was understanding even though she didn’t recommend it for me, but wasn’t totally against it in general. It just showed me she has an open mind, which is great when it comes to doctors.
Also, I messed up and was out of my birth control and didn’t have any refills. I tried to call up my last gyno and they said no! I called up here and even though I was a new patient, said it was no problem! Office staff was great as well! I will definitely go back!

I was surprised and quite disappointed and to see the negative reviews for Dr. Knickerbocker. I was fortunate enough to be referred to Dr. K when I first moved to Seattle several years ago — and followed her to her current practice as well. Although I moved out of the Seattle area a couple of years ago, I still travel back to Ballard for my Gynecological appointments because of the positive experience I have had with Dr. K.
Dr. K takes the time to listen and provide wonderful guidance and I’ve never felt rushed through the appointment. Unlike one of the reviewers below, I have never experienced an extensive wait, nor any rudeness from her or her staff. Quite the opposite — everyone has always been genuinely pleasant to work with.
Quite simply, Dr. Knickerbocker always shoots you straight, provides a comfortable and respectful health-​care experience, and even adds a little humor to each visit. I have always felt that Dr. K truly cares about her patients and I have found her «bedside manner» to be just right. What more can a patient ask for? I recommend Dr. K for anyone looking for a wonderful Gynecologist in the Ballard /​Seattle area.

Dr. Knickerbocker was my obstetrician and is now my gynecologist. She was recommended by my awesome GP, and as usual he made a great choice.
She is not a warm ‘n’ fuzzy handholder, that is true. I once asked her something about caring for the baby, and she said «Don’t ask me about babies. Once they’re out, I have nothing more to do with them.» Ha! She doesn’t pretend to be someone she’s not. She is, however, an OUTSTANDING doctor, and she cares deeply about her patients. She is very perceptive about people and as others pointed out, a great listener who gives good advice. She is very much a technician, not a social worker.
For all the lack of snuggliness in the prenatal visits, when we got to the delivery room, Dr. K totally caught fire. She was right there with her catcher’s mitt, ready to go. It reminds me of how lawyers get excited when they’re in court. My baby presented sunny-​side-​up and face-​first, which is pretty much the worst position, and I had a VERY difficult delivery. We wound up using forceps (it was that or an emergency Caesarean, and I chose the forceps because Dr. K was very confident she could do it, plus the baby was already crowning). She was AMAZING with the forceps. We called her the «forceps ninja.» Apparently that procedure is very rare now — even the nurses at Swedish did not know what to do, but Dr. K showed them. The baby was delivered happy & healthy and is now 5 years old (and Dr. K does not ask about her). I had a long healing process and she helped me through it with a reassuring calmness.
Sadly, she does not do obstetrics anymore. She now does gynecology exclusively, and also gynecologic surgery. She’s done some minor procedures on me and all have gone well. She is always careful to ask if something is painful, she warms up the speculum, etc. She calls personally with test results, even if they are good. Her new office (Ballard Women’s Health) is much better run than the old one (I agree, that was terrible!). If you want a terrific doctor who’s very straight-​up, I highly recommend Dr. Knickerbocker.

I was referred to Dr. Knickerbocker by my GP several years ago and have seen her consistently since then. I’ve had minor procedures with her as well as annual exams and she always gets back to me promptly. She’s a good listener and gives good advice and I never feel rushed. I’ve found her to be friendly and thorough. As much as I don’t particularly look forward to going to the doctor I feel comfortable and confident with Dr. Knickerbocker.

Dr. Knickerbocker was my primary obstetrician 11 years ago so she may have changed since then. In 1998 the wait was consistently very long both in the waiting room and in the exam room. It didn’t matter if I was one of the early appointments of the day or not. Dr. Knickerbocker and her staff considered that standard procedure and had no apologies when I complained. Overall Dr. Knickerbocker’s bedside manner was the polar opposite of warm and fuzzy. She seemed indifferent to me as a person with feelings. I don’t remember a smile or laugh from her. I didn’t know that it was OK for me to change doctors after signing on initially so I felt like I was stuck with her. The only time I ever saw her with anything like emotion was when she appeared stressed out about turning the baby (he was positioned for breach before turning). I remember one gal on her office staff, (she appeared to be the office manager or supervisor or something) who was discussing test results with a gyn patient. The test results were embarrassing an should have been private but the office employee spoke right out loud to her, in the hallway, where many other people were forced to hear about it! It was tacky, disrespectful, and unprofessional.
I had a healthy baby. Swedish Ballard was a nice enough place.