Scheduled c-section at Kaiser Oakland - experience/advice?

My experience was a long time ago, but I had a long labor and unplanned c-section for my first at Summitt. It was a terrible experience. With my second 4 years later, I scheduled a planned c-section at Kaiser Oakland. It worked like clockwork. It was amazing. I scheduled an early appointment, was bumped once by an emergency c-section patient, and had a calm couple of hours reading the newspaper while tuning out the screams of other women. I was prepped in the waiting area (curtains drawn but not private), which included having my pubic hair shaved. (Sorry, if this is too graphic; just a detail that I remembered.) The c-section went as planned and my recovery was 1000% faster and easier than for my first, because my energy and sanity weren’t depleted. And this is with having a 4yo at home. The doctor that performed the c-section and all the nurses at Kaiser were great (day shift generally a bit better than the night ones); Kaiser seemed to have good protocols and procedures in place. Summitt did not.  Best of luck to you!! 

I had a scheduled c-section at 37 weeks in 2021 with my twins at Kaiser. I believe we scheduled it about a week out but that was because we weren't exactly sure when it would be best to deliver. My check-in time was sometime in the late morning/noon and then the babies came out at 3:00pm, so there was some time involved with check-in, getting prepped for the procedure, anesthesia, etc. There's a recovery period after the surgery while they monitor baby(ies) and you and the anesthesia wears off and then you get transferred to maternity. We were there for several extra days because both babies and I needed additional monitoring, but depending on your use case you may only need to spend an extra day. Room was pretty comfortable and nurses/staff are consistently good. We were sent home with lots of diapers and wipes and some blankets plus some other miscellaneous care items. In general I was grateful for the additional time in the hospital in order to recover and get more help with the babies. Hope this helps! 

1. I had a C-section at Kaiser Oakland in January 2022. I had an attempted ECV in late December of 2021, and because that failed, we scheduled the c-section for about two weeks later (I was given a couple of options for dates).  
2. I recall arriving early in the am but the actual operation not happening until early afternoon--there was a shortage of blood supply for my blood type, and they needed to delay until it was confirmed that they would have supply. There was potential that the operation would be delayed until the next day. Luckily, it was not (as I was fasting and very hungry by this point). When it was all a go we went into the operating room and I received the epidural, which I had not experienced before--it did make me feel anxious, as if there was a weight on my chest, so I understood why they asked if I suffered from serious anxiety already. The operation itself was very fast (my doctor was Dr. Hurlbut, and she was great). Afterward, baby and I were taken to the recovery area to be monitored. When all clear, we moved to my own room. Only my spouse was with me throughout, so anyone else that wants to be in attendance will have to wait to visit until you move to your own room. 
3. We stayed in the hospital two nights, one full day after baby was born. A nurse came in regularly to check in, to help me stand up and walk, and to ensure that I could urinate (a must before you are allowed to leave). There was also a lactation nurse. This was my second baby delivered at Kaiser, and the nurses both times were very caring and attentive. The room was definitely comfortable for the short time that we were there, and there was space for my spouse to rest.
4. I was sent home with a lot of pain meds (which you should absolutely take), and I believe some extra materials (like bandages) for the stitches. 
5. I was not expecting to have to stand up and move so quickly after a major operation, but I can see how it helped toward a swifter recovery; having to pee for the first time was really difficult; and it did seem like it took longer for milk to come in, but that is because I never went into labor (something that they did not prepare me for). 
6. I was most anxious about the epidural (which I declined with my first), but if you've had one before, you know better what to expect. Really, really do not strain yourself once you return home. You'll be on meds and you might feel o.k., but you can seriously injure yourself and open your incision with heavy lifting or strenuous movements. Best of luck to you! 

I had two scheduled c-sections at Kaiser Oakland (2018 and 2022) due to complications. Generally both went very well. They were both scheduled about a month in advance and there seemed to be wide availability. You get two options for time of day. With the first in 2018, I went into early labor before the scheduled delivery and was advised to come in right away. They tried to send me home before the scheduled delivery two days later but I requested to stay and just do the delivery that day, which they accommodated. For the second delivery that went on the scheduled day, I showed up a few hours in advance. Pre-op was efficient and straightforward, they wheeled me back to the OR, the operation began quickly (they asked me what music I wanted to listen to during), and the baby was out shortly thereafter. In both cases the anesthesiologist (the same one both times) was the friendly one who talked me through the procedure while the OBs did their work. My partner and I did skin-to-skin while they sewed me up (which can take a surprisingly long time), then to post-op for about 1-2 hours where you have 1:1 attention from the nurse who changes diapers, helps breastfeed, and takes care of you(I found this 1:1 support amazing).  I was up and walking by the afternoon the day of the surgery and discharged after two nights because my recovery was straight forward. The rooms are private and comfortable but the food sucks and they dont provide it for the the support person. Check the cafeteria hours to make sure your support person can get food or swing by Dona a block away. I ended up eating my husbands burrito because the hospital food sucked. They send you home with everything you need to heal the wound, including a mirror to check it and protocol on wound care. I'd recommend buying additional c-section underwear to help with compression, because you'll want that (especially if you cough). Good luck!

Hello! Congratulations on preparing for your new baby! I LOVED my scheduled C-section at Oakland Kaiser. My older child was an emergency C-section, and the difference between the two experiences was....striking. As far as your questions:

1. How far out did they schedule your procedure? -- I don't quite remember, but I knew for a while that it would be 39 weeks, exactly 1 week before the due date.
2. What did the day-of look like? (When did you check in, how long before you actually had the c-section, what happened after, etc.)  --- very calm. Almost like going to the dentist, as crazy as that sounds. My procedure was a little delayed because of other scheduling conflicts, but my coparent and I just hung out in the our private waiting area. Then they took us into surgery, I got the epidural, we chatted with the anesthesiologist for a while, they put on our music choice, and after maybe 20 minutes of surgery, we heard the baby. He was on my chest pretty quickly, and we just marveled, and cuddled, all the glorious stuff, while they completed the surgery. After that, we were all taken to recovery for a while, and then to our room. It was SO calm and peaceful and joyful. 
3. How long did you stay at the hospital after? Was the room comfortable? What did care look like during that period? --- I stayed for three nights. After two nights, they said I could go home. However, I had a brutal first night at home after my first child, and asked to stay an extra night. They were fine with it. The care was excellent. I just remember a lot of relaxing with my baby and the nurses were so, so helpful. The room was great. I slept on the hospital bed, my coparent on the sofa, and the baby was with us, with a shower and bathroom. Comfortable for all of us.
4. What did they send you home with? I don't remember anything in particular, but I didn't feel like I was missing anything when we got home.
5. Any challenges/complications/things you weren't prepared for? Could also be good things! No, but I had a previous C-section and some complicated non-related surgeries before. It is a major surgery, so you do need to be easy on yourself, stay on top of your meds (don't chase the pain), and rest.

Thanks for this trip down memory lane-it is a time I love to remember.

I had a C-Section at Kaiser Oakland earlier this year and had a great experience. My baby was breech, so we were scheduled for a Saturday surgery at 39 weeks. They sent me home with a pre-op kit at my last OBGYN appointment, and I had a call with the surgeon on Wednesday to answer any questions I had. I actually ended up going into labor later that day, so they had us come in right away and he was born a few hours later. The staff were all incredibly friendly and professional, and Dr. Chanchani who performed the surgery was amazing. The surgery itself took about half an hour. My husband was able to sit next to me, and the baby never left the room which I liked. After the surgery they wheeled me straight to the room where we stayed the rest of the time.

I stayed in the hospital 3 nights. They offered to discharge me after 2, but we opted to stay another day for the extra support! I guess insurance covers more days for C-Sections. The nurses were great. They'll be in and out every few hours to make sure you and baby are doing ok, including overnight. There was one time that they were a little late on my pain meds because it was right around a shift change, so make sure you/partner are also tracking that. They also had a lactation consultant stop by every day. There was a small fold-out couch in the room where my husband was able to sleep. It wasn't the most comfortable, but better than a chair! The food was also surprisingly good. Pro tip 1: You can ask them to put a Do Not Disturb sign up for a few hours so that you can get some uninterrupted sleep, otherwise all the various specialists pop in whenever they want. Pro tip 2: They don't officially provide food for your partner, but you can order as much food as you want, even an entire second meal (or just extra pudding)...

They sent me home with Tylenol and Ibuprofen for pain, as well as oxycodone if I needed it, which I did take a few times in the first few days. They also gave me a belly band which I found helpful to wear at night for a week or two. I'm sure you already know the advice to take home everything that isn't nailed down in the hospital room. You can also ask them for extras of anything. You're not going to be able to wear regular underwear for a while because the waistband will be too close to the incision, so definitely stock up on mesh underwear. Pro tip 3: I also ended up buying some high-waisted underwear from Amazon that helped me feel like a real person while the incision was healing over the last few months (remember to size up).

Good luck!

Hi! I didn't have scheduled c-section but ended with an emergency one (eek), and just wanted to say that I had excellent care at Kaiser Oakland. The nurses and doctors were amazing - truly empathetic and thoughtful. It felt like we had this enormous care team that were there just to look after us (pediatricians, nurses, doctors, lactation consultants, etc.) and ensure we were well taken care of. 

If you have any specific questions about the facility, let me know!