Switching from UCSF to Kaiser Mid-pregnacny (Update-in SF)

I delivered using a midwife in Walnut Creek. It was an amazing experience I was able to labor how I wanted, they were very accommodating. If you are into using a midwife any of them are awesome. I don't have a specific one in the city to recommend...sorry.

J.,
what area are you in? I know many md's from many locations

R.

I really like Thomason at Novato Kaiser. I drive from Petaluma to see her. I have delivered at a few different places and they all have their pros and cons. UCSF, Marin General, SR Memorial and now Kaiser SR. Just set your mind that everything will be fine and it will. Congratulations on your new pregnancy!

My doctor Kimberly Young went to SF Kaiser in May. We loved her. She is a Family Practice Doctor but works in the OB department. She delivered my 4th child and would have my 5th if she hadn't come so fast. She gets to know and cares about her patients. I knew people who traveled all over the north and east bay to see her at our little West Marin clinic. After she went to Kaiser we had a very upsetting issue of someone reporting us to CPS for medical neglect of one of our kids. Even though she was no longer our doctor she called and spoke to us on several occaisons to make sure that we were okay and to assure us that we were doing everything right and that is exactly what CPS would find. She genuinley cares about you as a person and that is hard to find in a doctor.

Congradulations on the new baby J.: In what area are you going to be delivering? In Redwood City, see if Robin Goodfellow, is still there-- she is reason that my youngest is alove to day! my daughters in law have found great obgyn doctors in Pleasenton and Modesto. I will find out the names and send them to you. Nana G

I know of a good one in Santa Rosa........sounds like you are in SF,however. If yuo need one up here ,let me know. emial ____@____.com
P.

Dear J.,

Kaiser has good OB/GYN docs. Take a tour of the hospital, check out the Kaiser OB's in your area. All their info is online. You could also visit the Kaiser clinic closest to you.

Blessings....

I have had both of my children with Kaiser, both with differnt experirences.
My advice for you when it comes to Kaiser is to find a Kaiser that works for you. Not all Kaiser locations are the same, and you do not have to go to the one nearest you. You can pick which spot to go to. I was lucky in delivering vaginally at the Santa Clara location and I had a c-section with my second at the Vallejo Kaiser. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the maternity ward at Kaiser Vallejo, the dr.s were wonderful, the care before hand was awesome. Hated their pediatric department and EVERY doctor I tried there. Santa Clara, not so happy with the maternity ward, and didn't have the best delivery, not real satisified with it. But had an aswesome after care nurse, and I like so far most of the pediatricians at Santa Clara. With Kaiser you have the opportunity to try a bunch of different doctors and locations until you find one that fits. Kaiser gets a bad rap, but if you are able to work the system, you can have a VERY pleasent experience. Remember, you can ALWAYS ALWAYS change your dr, location, etc. For instance, it may sound silly to some, but it works for me, My OB and primary dr. are in Vallejo, my sons dr. is in Santa Clara. It's worth a 45 drive for me to see someone I really trust, and that I click with.

Good Luck
K.

I delievered at Kaiser in January 09 and loved my experience there! Jacquelyn Marquez-Ponce is theee BEST!!! Her bedside manner is awesome and she has a great personality!

I had my first child at Kaiser SF (in 1998) and it was a great experience. The maternity ward was brand new and roomy. Staff were top rate. I can't remember the name of my ob/gyn though I believe I saw a nurse practioner. Good-luck!

I had both my sons at Kaiser. I actually switched from Memorial Hospital to Kaiser in the middle of my first pregnancy. They are really good in my opinion. They have classes to go to. 24/7 advise nurses and a direct dial number to Labor and Delivery.

Good Luck with the change over.

I had a great experience with Kaiser. I had Dr. Dawn Robinson if you're in the Roseville/Lincoln area. Her office is in Lincoln but that's just a 15 min ride from Roseville if you live here . Congratulations and good luck.

The biggest difference with Kaiser is that your OBGYN doesn't deliver your baby - whoever is on duty will. You will be surrounded by midwives for your labor and delivery and an OBGYN will come in to check your progress but unless there's a complication the midwives run the show. I really bonded with my OBGYN during my pregnancy with my son and was anxious that she wouldn't be there - but the midwives were very calming and really helped my terrified husband relax. Our son was 5 weeks preemie - we were both freaked out.
YOu didn't mention where you live so it's hard to make a referral. I've been all over the place and had a tough time getting to pregnancy #2 so I've got info. on a few areas.
The Walnut Creek facility is really good for complications & infertility Dr. Grosskinsky is wonderful. Redwood City's hospital is a bit old - but my fav. OBGYN is Deborah Mattityahu.
Pleasanton has a midwife - Moinca Wolfish who is great. The guy who does ultrasounds there is a bit of a jerk.
The Livermore facility is new and I currently go there - I see a midwife Andrea Picchi - love her - very professional and straight-forward. The Livermore ultrasound dept. is by far the best of all.
Manteca has a new facility too - very nice.
I'm going to deliver this baby in Antioch - brand new gorgeous hospital - very supportive of natural childbirth.
I live 8 mintues from the Tracy clinic and drive 30 min.s to Livermore because I was not impressed at all with the OBGYNs - all men - all clueless. Also - the way Kaiser works - if I went to an OBGYN in Tracy I'd be sent to Modesto to deliver(90 minute drive!). I called Livermore and their hospitals are Walnut Creek and Antioch. Antioch is less than 30 minutes away and new. SO, figure out what hospitals are in your area that you like and which OBGYN clinic you need to go to in order to be sent to your hospital of choice. Work the system baby! I've met some OBGYN's I didn't like with Kaiser - but the midwives are all great(so far) so I just ask for the midwife - don't like my current OBGYN - but I've only had to see her once so I request her midwife for my appointments because she is great.
You can go on kp.org and play around with the facility directory and even see doctor profiles to help you choose. It also has a great health encyclopedia that I use to look up symptoms, list of safe meds etc. You don't need to be a member except for a few of the functions so learn your way around the website now.
Hope this rambling helped!

I loved my OB/GYN at Kaiser Walnut Creek, Dr Serena Linn. She was very caring and always responded to emails within a few hours if I had any questions or concerns. Good luck!

I know dr. Alea Angeja personally. She is at south sf but delivers babies in sf. She is a great person. Good luck. K. Lonergan