Recent Experiences at Kaiser Oakland L&D?
Hi,
I am due in late September and likely will be having a C-section. I’m wondering if anybody has given birth at Kaiser Oakland recently (past couple months) and would be willing to share what the experience was like given Covid. I’m concerned about catching Covid at the hospital (though my OB has assured me she feels safer there than at the supermarket!) and the many new Covid-related policies (e.g., my husband will have to stay with me the whole time, no in-and-out privileges).
I’d be so grateful for any firsthand knowledge or experiences! Thanks!
Aug 15, 2020
Parent Replies
Just gave birth at Kaiser Oakland last week. Previous birth experience was with Kaiser San Jose.
Giving birth was great- respectful nurses and MD's. I had a 2nd year resident who was great. I did not wear a mask although husband did. Lots of respectful bonding time with baby. Super respectful of our birth plan wishes.
Post partum was not great. I gave birth on the evening and by the time I transferred to a room had missed dinner. Nurse totally gave me a weird look when I asked about how to order food and I explained I hadn't had lunch or dinner because I was delivering baby. I got a lean cuisine microwave dinner and husband got a sandwich. Food ordering system sucked, was difficult to use TV remote system and food was not very good. I hope you don't have allergies because they don't list ingredients.
Big joke- my nurse wrote goals down for me. They were 1) get rest 2) breast feed every 2-3 hours. I understand the importance of frequent breastfeeding. This is my 4th breastfed baby. Still, what a joke! Who can rest and recover when the nurse comes in every 2-3 hours, turns on some lights, quizzes you on when you last fed, messes with the baby etc.
Because it is a teaching hospital we had SO MANY PEOPLE coming into the room. The med student pediatrician, the resident MD to look at baby's eyes, hearing tech, nurse to educate you on your post partum care, lactation consultant, lab person plus the RN covering or helping your RN, and EVERYONE wanted to do something to the baby. In Covid times it made me pretty nervous. Plus hand hygiene was all over the place.
They were disorganized- we asked to go home next morning and were very clear on this. Somehow they messed up and at some point thought we were staying and stopped the check out process. We had to eventually send husband out to bug them for the last bits to get out of there. Finally escaped at 3:30.
If you are leas familiar with Kaiser Oakland take a second to figure out parking. Parking is a Big Deal there and at some point your support person will need to move the car to the garage. Always make sure you have proper signs or tickets displayed or your car can get towed.
Good Luck!
Hi!
i gave birth to my daughter end of April this year at kaiser Oakland, and like you, I was deeply concerned and scared of what to expect and of catching Covid.
I am happy to say that I could not have been happier with our experience.
i felt the staff to be calm, well organized and reassuring during our whole time there. My birth plan was still read and honored. My husband was with me every minute from arrival to departure with no issue. He was allowed to go move the car, but just in case we came prepared with plenty of snacks, Gatorade for electrolytes and extra clothes just in case we had to stay longer than expected ( we didn’t)
Everyone was Well protected And followed procedure well before handling my daughter each time. Ie: extra hand washing, sanitizer, gloves and mouths/ noses covered. I still received wonderful care.
I did notice that The nurses and doctors come in the room less regularly than before ( I gave birth there to my son 2018) but they got us all out as quickly as they could without us feeling rushed - we were eager to leave of course.
work they used to do outside the room prior with the baby ie: hearing test, and birth certificate forms are now all done in the room to minimize contact all around.
In all, I felt very safe. Well taken care of and less afraid than I had been before I went in.
sometimes anticipation can be the worst part of it all.
I hope this helps to reassure you and that you a wonderful birth experience.
with blessings and light,
nadya
I delivered at KP Oakland via csection at the end of July. The operating team was excellent- I’d be happy got connect with you directly if you’d like. We were worried about covid too, and left the hospital just after 48 hrs to mitigate our risk. Everyone in the postpartum unit wore masks regularly in our room, so I felt the support we received outweighed the risk. My husband was able to sleep in our room and order food for delivery. I hope this is helpful.
Hi- I delivered in May at Kaiser Oakland. They were organized, friendly and it felt safe. Everyone wore a mask and I had to also (which added some complications with getting o2 during labor and delivery so pick your mask wisely). There were less residents in and out of the room than when I delivered previously. I don’t think it could have gone any better given the pandemic. I also found them much more organized and kind this time around. I was told my partner couldn’t leave also. They ended up having to leave to take care of our other child and I stayed with the new baby for the night. I didn’t get covid. Bring a extra masks so you can find them when people come into the room.