Childbirth at Kaiser Oakland vs. Walnut Creek
Hi Everyone,
This is my first pregnancy and my husband and I are trying to decide between Kaiser Oakland and Kaiser Walnut Creek. The previous reviews seem to favor Kaiser Walnut Creek, but these reviews are a little old (2014). We were wondering if Kaiser Oakland switching to the new location has made a difference in the quality of care provided there. I'm also concerned about Kaiser Oakland having residents deliver the baby. However, I live in Oakland so I am trying to weight the pros of Walnut Creek's Midwives vs the Pros of Oakland's close location. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about these two sites!
Jul 11, 2016
Parent Replies
I can't address the Oakland site but my daughter gave birth in Walnut Creek one year ago. Both my husband and I were present for the labor, birth and afterbirth. I was so pleased with the experience for her and her husband. People were kind, responsive, skillful and encouraging. When decisions needed to be made the couple was consulted, and when action needed to happen it happened. The 2 days they stayed afterwards, care was not as responsive. It was not awful but not as personal or prompt.
I just gave birth at Kaiser Oakland in May. The facility is new and very spacious and clean. We were pleased with the attention and level of care there, and my labor was long and complicated. Also, there are midwives there. If you live in Oakland, I would definitely go there instead of Walnut Creek.
When are you due? Something I factored in when I chose between Alta Bates and Kaiser Walnut Creek was when my son was due. My understanding was that the residents start in August and my baby was due late August. I chose Walnut Creek and avoided the worry that a brand new doctor might deliver my any.
I'm due in August and delivering at Oakland. Kaiser Oakland has a midwife program as of 2015 (they deliver alongside the resident physicians) - https://thrive.kaiserpermanente.org/care-near-you/northern-california/e…
Oakland also has all private triage and post-partum rooms in the new building. At Walnut Creek you may be in a double post-partum, if they are full. Maybe do a tour of each and see what you think? The outcomes and quality of care is comparable between the two.
I had both my kids at Kaiser Oakland - one at the old hospital and one at the new hospital last year. I was happy with both experiences. Kaiser Oakland has midwives now at the new hospital and a midwife delivered my second. She was the one telling me what to do and directing everyone else in the room what to do.
My only complaint about the old Kaiser Oakland hospital was the shared rooms, but all rooms are private now. I personally would go to the closer location. I only lived 15 minutes away from Kaiser Oakland and I can't imagine having to tolerate going 30 minutes all the way to Walnut Creek with contractions. I had a very quick delivery though so I did not have hours of waiting in the hospital with labor and delivery staff. Had I attempted to go all the way to Walnut Creek, I might of had to deliver in the car because my second guy came that quick!
We've had 2 kids who were delivered at Kaiser San Francisco, but received all services in the Pedi dept at Kaiser Oakland. One of our children is severely disabled, and has received outstanding care at Kaiser Oakland. I also have a sister who works in the Intensive Care Nursery at Kaiser Oakland, and have nothing but rave reviews about the maternity care at Kaiser Oakland.
I gave birth and Kaiser Oakland earlier this year. It was my first birth so I have no point of comparison, but I felt both the midwives and the residents were good, as were the nurses (and that's who you will see the most of). I had a few minor complications during labor and they were great at explaining what my options were with each one and in the end my actual birth went really smoothly. FWIW, I also did NOT have a doula. Not saying that doulas are good or bad, just making the point that the staff really was great and I didn't need to bring my own private support team/intermediary to have a good birth experience. Our aftercare was also really good--we had a great postpartum nurse and the staff were very responsive anytime I had questions or needed help.
I assume you are currently seeing a doctor in Oakland? If that's the case I would at least tour the Oakland facility as there's always the possibility you'll go straight from one of your later checkups to L&D, even if your plan is to go to Walnut Creek.
I delivered at Kaiser Oakland two months ago and was immensely impressed by the staff and the facilities. It's my first birth experience so I have no point of comparison, but it far surpassed my expectations.