Kaiser Oakland Labor and Delivery - Potential High Risk Situation

I delivered at Kaiser Oakland in September 2015 at age 40 and am planning to deliver there again this coming spring. My labor was long with some complications and I had a massive hemorrhage several hours after delivery with an unusually large amount of blood loss. The doctors and nurses were great during labor, although at times I did feel like I was being threatened with a C-section if I did not progress more quickly. I suspect this might be typical of most hospitals. We had a doula, which I would recommend. I believe her attention prevented a C-section.

I had both of my babies at Kaiser Oakland, first 2014 (in the old Kaiser hospital) and second baby in 2016 (in the new building). I strongly recommend Kaiser Oakland. My first delivery had surprise major complications (placenta accreta) and I nearly died, but didn't because of the hemorrhage cart (https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2017/6/29/15830970/women-health-…). Because of this and my "advanced maternal age" of 36, my second baby was considered high risk. However, Kaiser had me see several specialists before I delivered, we had a full emergency plan, and they induced my delivery a few days before my due date, so they could have a full team and extra equipment brought into the delivery room. When I delivered my second baby, they were absolutely prepared for anything. And thankfully, I had no complications with the second delivery. Plus, the new facility is so much better, no more shared bathrooms with other new moms, the rooms are larger so I could pace around the room, and there was a more comfortable place for my husband to sleep.  

-Beth

I delivered at Kaiser Oakland in July 2017.  I'm in my early 40s and my experience was definitely positive.  I did not have much contact with the midwife on duty at the time I delivered,  but the nurses were top notch  and my doctor was great.  I think the facility is quite nice and well-maintained.

I am also in my forties and delivered at Kaiser Oakland this year without any problems. We did have to deliver in an operating room because the delivery rooms were full that evening, but otherwise we were happy with how thorough they were. Everything was taken care of post-delivery so that we could start bonding with the baby immediately.  I had my previous child at Alta Bates because I'd heard it was better than Kaiser, but people I've talked to recently about delivering at Kaiser Oakland have been happy with their experience. I was surprised at how high the hospital bill was, though, since we have a deductible plan. 

I delivered at kaiser Oakland in May and went in with low expectations and a fear of being delivered by residents. I was VERY pleasantly surprised. I was 36 at delivery and had a subchorionic hemmorage during pregnancy (slightly higher risk). They had to induced me because my baby’s heart rate kept dropping when I had contractions. I was there for 3 days strapped to monitors and bed ridden and loved all but 2 of my nurses (hard to love anyone on an unmedicated pitocin drip not allowed to change positions, so that’s saying something- I eventually got an epidural and the anesthesiologists were great too and didn’t over medicate me). The residents were very respectful of my wishes and let me try a more natural method of induction before the pitocin and they let me wait an extra 12 hours before breaking my water which was important to me and a good call in my case. My nurse even stayed late to see me through the final phase of my delivery and not leave me with a stranger half way through pushing even though she had a migraine! I ended up bleeding a lot after delivery and lost about a liter of blood- they were discussing surgery but the resident totally kept her cool and got the bleeding to stop. I would definitely deliver there again. I was initially wanting to deliver at Walnut Creek but the tour guide was a no show to a room of 15 expectant couples and There was a 50/50 chance of needing to share a recovery room there so we went with Oakland. If I deliver again I’ll do it at oakalnd without hesitation unless it’s around July (when the residents are new). Good luck today you!

I delivered my daughter at Kaiser Oakland in December 2016 at age 44 and I had a wonderful experience.  It was my second child, and quite fast, so obviously that helps!  The delivery nurse and doctor and extra midwife who attended as well were all fantastic - unlike my first delivery at Alta Bates in 2012, which was awful and filled with lousy medical care and practitioners.  I highly, highly recommend Kaiser Oakland.  Protocols and monitoring were much better than my first experience (no alarmist monitoring, baby immediately put on my chest, great assistance with breast feeding, lovely nurses).  I felt I had a very easy delivery experience, but I also wish I had been at Kaiser for first delivery because I think they were much more responsive to my individual situation, and at Alta Bates, I was always a number.  Alta Bates nurses were all going on strike in 2012, and the nurses at Kaiser I talked to all loved their jobs. I think that made a difference to my care and overall experience.  FWIW, I am generally a difficult and critical patient.  My baby and I received excellent care at Kaiser Oakland and I will always be very grateful.  A well supported delivery process (WHATEVER happens, so unpredictable!) can have a big impact on beginning your new life with a newborn.  Good luck to you!

Hi, I'm also high risk based on age (39) & medical history & having my 1st baby, baby due 12/8 & I will be delivering at Kaiser San Leandro over Kaiser Oakland based on several other women I know in the area told me about their experiences at both facilities. I would also suggest going on a tour of the San Leandro Birth center & Oakland hospital to see if it is right for you. San Leandro is a baby friendly hospital & all the preparing for labor & baby classes I've been taking have been really great.  Let me know if you want to chat in person or via phone about my experience in San Leandro. 

While I have not yet delivered at Kaiser Oakland (due next spring!), I've been very happy with the quality of my physicians and prenatal care so far.   In addition, two close friends have delivered there within the last year, both were in late 30s, and had high-risk pregnancies with complications along the way.  For one, the emergency c-section when her baby went into distress saved her child's life, and mom and baby had a smooth recovery and great post-delivery care.  The other had a normal, easy delivery with no issues.  Finally, I know someone who had no risk factors, but had a serious, unexpected complication, and credits the team with saving her life with a quick diagnosis, top-notch care, and ensuring she was fully recovered before going home.   While there is certainly no price on delivering a happy, healthy baby and doing so safely, you may also consider that you're likely to get great care, and not pay a tremendous sum to deliver with KP, which can result in an ability to take a longer unpaid maternity leave or cover other costs of having a new child. If you have a "real" KP plan (vs. the more traditional "KP" plans a lot of companies provide that are actually more like insurance with KP as a provider), the cost element can be a major factor.  Most people I know with true Kaiser insurance paid only $100 - $250 for the whole of labor & delivery and the stay afterward - including people with complications who stayed as long as a week in the hospital afterward.  

hi there

i had two deliveries at kaiser oakland and both of them were great. i was 39 when i had my last baby--she's 16 months old now. i had to have a c-section with my first delivery, she was breach. and i opted to do another c-section with my second delivery. i was anxious both times about the surgery and the first one, i did not have my own doctor. but the doctor who came in so so wonderful and professional and warm, he really helped put me at ease. both of my anesthesiologists were fantastic. i always felt in good hands and well cared for. the after care was also very good. i think each time i had one nurse i didn't love, but aside from that, i found the nurses to be helpful and attentive and caring. i can't speak to a vaginal birth, but my experience was very positive. also the new hospital is really nice. i have heard worse things about alta bates, including from a friend who used to be a labor & delivery nurse there who would not recommend having a baby there. my vote is to stick with kaiser.