ObGyn for C-Section

Parent Q&A

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  • Hello, I am looking for an OB in the east bay who is able to provide me w/ prenatal care, form a relationship, and be the person I schedule a c-section with? Does this exist? I know there might be last minute changes if they get called away or are out sick.  This will be for a PPO plan, not Kaiser.  I didn't like having a random MD deliver my first child so I am looking for a different experience this time (for medical reasons need to have c-section).  Berkeley/Oakland, but I'm also willing to go through the tunnel to Orinda/Walnut Creek.  Thank you!  

    I am currently a patient at Sutter Milvia OB practice and will soon me having a c-section. If it’s planned, they do so with your OB (as long as they’re not on vacation etc). I see and love Dr Venkat but have met several other OBs in the practice and they’re all great. Prenatal appointments will be a mix of your OB, other OBs, and midwives just depending on availability. Hope that helps! 

    Dr. Anahat Sandhu in Lafayette. Many patients love her. She’s a sole practitioner and attends 90% of her patients’ births herself. She’s a surgeon and does C-sections. She does deliveries at John Muir in Walnut Creek. 

    Hi there! I delivered via c-section at Sutter Alta Bates this summer, and if you have a scheduled c-section there, it will be with your OB. (Caveat: My daughter wasn’t, because she decided to come a day before the schedule — but typically it would be with your OB!) I hope that helps. 

  • I will be having a scheduled C-section at Alta Bates the first week of August. I've seen a number of doctors over the course of my pregnancy, but I haven't seen a single doctor consistently. Does anyone have experience with Drs. Kondrashov, Mehandru, or Schleuning performing their C-section? Any recommendations are greatly appreciated! Thank you!

    Hi Abbie,

    I had Dr. Schleuning for a post-birth surgery involving removal of fibroids and would be very comfortable recommending her for her precision, care, attention, and skills.

    I also had a C-Section but not with any of the doctors you mention at Alta Bates, and the only non-generic advice I have is if you intend to have a partner stay with you, bring a small camping mattress or airbed for him/her - the "cot" provided for non-patients is pretty uncomfortable.

    I've seen Dr. Schleuning in the past and she had one of the worst bed side manners I've ever encountered. She was very blunt in her communication, to the point that it was hurtful in a couple of instances. I would avoid her if communication style is important to you. Her medical care was always competent though. I saw her for routine prenatal appointments and one outpatient procedure.

    Hi - 

    It sounds like you're a patient at Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation. My primary OB was Dr. Pahlavan (scheduled C for twins), and I loved, loved, loved her. She's got fantastic energy, is compassionate, hears her patients and has a sense of humor. Dr. Pahlavan performed my C section, and Dr. Mehandru assisted. Dr. Mehandru was also on call while I was recovering in the hospital and I saw her for my 2-week checkup. Also highly recommend her as well. Great bedside manner, friendly & knowledgeable. 

    My friend's OB was Dr. Kondrashov; I haven't worked with her personally, but do know that my friend enjoyed her as well. 

    Hope this helps & good luck

    Hello!

    I gave birth last August and Dr. Schleuning was the one at the hospital. I gave birth vaginally.

    Short version: She did an excellent job. She was calm, positive, and encouraging when I was pushing, very clear in her instructions, and seemed very gentle with my baby in every interaction. My baby had the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck twice which restricted his oxygen levels somewhat and she acted quickly and calmly to remove it so he could get breathing assistance. He recovered quickly. She quickly performed my stitches. I would say she strikes me as what I have always imagined surgeons to be like (I'm sure this is a vast overgeneralization). Precise, focused, competent, and not perfect in bedside manner, though pretty good (more details on that below). I trusted her completely, respected her, and also had one interaction outside the hospital (postpartum checkup) that was awkward and a little surprising given my other positive experiences.

    Post birth: 6 weeks later, I saw her for a followup appointment to address ongoing pain in stitches area. She prescribed a topical medicine and gave advice that worked. She also made a flippant, insensitive comment and laughed about it. When I told my regular OBGYN, she examined me and said "that's not even true. I don't know why she said that." Happy to share details about the comment but would rather not post it publicly.

    Dr. Kondrashov

    I interacted with her only briefly at the hospital. She wanted to induce me and I asked for more time (my water broke right before coming to the hospital) and I don't remember much except she the conversations were brief and to-the-point, whereas some other doctors after her took more time to answer my questions.

    Dr. Mehandru. I've never met her at all!

    Good luck with the decision! 

    Dr. Kondrashov was my ob for entire pregnancy and I was pleased with my prenatal care. She happen to be on when I was in labor recently and performed my emergency c section for fetal distress. She remained calm, in control, and had my baby out in what seemed like less than a minute. I'm a physician myself and was super impressed with her surgical skills and with the entire team that day, all of whom I credit for saving my son's life. Now I have healthy 10 day old and my incision is healing well. 

    I dont know the other doctors you mentioned.  If you have any other questions feel free to message me.

    I hope that's helpful!

    Jennifer

  • Hi there. I am newly pregnant with my 2nd and currently looking for doctors in the east bay that deliver at UCSF or possibly John Muir. We delivered at Marin General last time and it was the most awful experience. I would be a high risk pregnancy and having a C-section. Any names or practices would be greatly appreciated. Thanks  so much.

    Ali

    I found Rose Monardo to be a great partner.  I was 46 and developed pre-eclampsia and had a C-section. I delivered at Alta Bates and the nursing staff was amazing.

  • I just found out that I am pregnant with my third child and will need a third c-section.  I am looking for a doctor who has a great reputation as I am very nervous about the third surgery.  My first was born in San Diego and my second at Kaiser Redwood City but I no longer am part of the Kaiser system.  I will be 38 years old when I deliver.  I live in Oakland but am willing to go anywhere.  Thank you all for the recommendations!

    I live in Oakland near Lake Merritt but saw Dr. Fang at http://goldengateobgyn.org/ in the city. I ended up having a c-section after 40 hours of labor. The whole practice is awesome and I would certainly recommend anyone in the office. They deliver in the city at Sutter CMPC. We were happy with the experience of delivering and staying with them as well. 

    If you're willing to go to SF, I wholeheartedly recommend Golden Gate Ob/Gyn. They're one of the busiest private practices in the city, but with good reason and they handle the volume very well. If you just need the peace of mind that comes with knowing you are in expert hands, these are those doctors and midwives. They're all excellent, but for what it's worth, my faves are Dr. Karen Callen, Dr. Donna Wiggins, and Dr. Jane Fang. Good luck! 

    Hi there,

    Congrats on your third! I loved the doctor that did my c-section, Cindy Zhang (Sutter East Bay Medical). Mine was unexpected and she was so sweet and kind with me during that tough decision making process. She told me exactly what to expect and was super reassuring. I delivered at Alta Bates and was really impressed with the entire team there. I had an all female team and they were wonderful, talking to me through the procedure.

    I also really loved Dr. Megan Jewell at the same practice. She was on Maternity leave when I was delivering, but I saw her through most of my pregnancy and she was wonderful. I'm sure I would have as wonderful an experience with her.