Looking for an OB GYN in the John Muir Network (Walnut Creek)

Hi - my OB is Kurt Wharton in Lafayette. He delivered both my daughters, and I think he's great. Good listener, and attuned to what women are often looking for (i.e. reducing odds of c-section, no episiotomy, etc.), very professional and confident. I was not in your position with regards to the VBAC, but I'd be surprised if he were not supportive of your wishes, given my experience with how he practices.

Do call and ask about his affiliation, however. I was in the Alta Bates Medical Group and had different insurance.

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I would highly highly recommend Dr. Rosemary Delgado. I don't have her number memorized, although I should! Her office staff is wonderful and she is wonderful. I am 31 weeks pregnant with my first and have had a plethura of questions at every appointment and she takes the time to answer them. When I call the ofice with questions they are always quick to respond. Also every time I go in for my appointments I am treated with respect and like they actually care how I am doing and how baby arrangements are going. One of the other things I love so much about this office is I didn't have much money in the beginning for my prenatal vitamins so Dr. Delgado gave me samples to tide me over till I could afford the perscription. So after all that, I would highly recommend Dr. Delgado, her office is on La Casa Via easy to get to easy to park at. She's wonderful!! Hope this helps!!

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Hi K.,

You might try Nadine Hanna who's with John Muir at Walnut Creek. I saw her a few times before I was transferred to Gerald Katz because Nadine went on maternity leave. She seemed very nice -- young, warm and friendly. Good luck!

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Hi K.,

You are not alone in your csection experience. If you haven't all ready check out and get involved with ICAN online. There are also meetings at the Nurture Center in Lafayette. I would suggest finding a midwife for a homebirth VBAC -- I'm in the same boat and would also suggest doing lots of reading and research. You should read "Childbirth w/out Fear" and "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" amoung other great books. Hope it helps.

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Hi K.,
I am so sorry that happened to you. Perhaps you can research midwives and see if that could be an option for you. I was immensely pleased with mine, her name is Beah Haber and she has been in practice for over 25 years- http://berkeleymidwife.com/index.html
She was incredible, the care was everything you are looking for plus she has great relationships with her back-up doctors so if you are transported to the hospital (as I was after the my daughter was born - retained placenta), the experience is easy and seamless.

I would suggest seeing the Business of Being Born. It's a new documentary by RIcki Lake who disappointed with the birth of her first child in the hospital and decided to have her second baby at home. The best thing to do is research, research, research. Find out as much as you can about all of the standard practices of hospitals during birth. Educating yourself can be an amazing empowering experience. If you find a dr. you like, I would encourage you to hire a doula so that you have a voice and a helper in your experience. I admire you very much for taking your care into your own hands. Please feel free to contact me if you want to talk.

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I really like my OB/GYN Mehroosh Almassi. At my appointments, she is very patient and does not make you feel rushed. I live in Piedmont and willing to drive to Concord/ Walnut Creek for my appts.

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Try Dr. Margaret Craig, she does VBAC's and is right next to the hospital. Loved her!

Dr Wells in Walnut Creek delivered my baby at John Muir. I loved him and only wished he was my regular doctor. My doctor at the time was Dr Leach, and by the end of the pregnancy I was so frustrated with his office staff and his attitude, that I am now looking for a new doctor in my area (Pleasanton). I only saw Dr Wells that day because he was covering for my doctor while he was on vacation, but he did a great job and if I can't find someone in my area, I'll go back to Walnut Creek.

Good Luck!

There are many great OBGYN's in this network, but my two favorite are Dr. STephen Wells located on Tampico in Walnut Creek and Dr. Leach who is in the same building but has a separate practice.
They are both very skilled doctors as well as very sincere and caring about what they do.
I went through 2 very difficult, emotional miscarriages with Dr. Wells and then went on to have him deliver my youngest almost 9 mos ago.

I to have the best doc in the entire bay area. Dr Stephen Wells is in Walnut Creek and his entire office staff is incredible also. I've heard Dr Cole, whos office is right next door to Wells is also good. I met Dr Katz when a friend had her two kids and he seem like a nice guy and I know she liked him also. Good luck, it is so important to have a good ob when we are going through so much with pregnancy.

Dr. Kaplan is the absolute BEST! I just found him recently and am very grateful!

I've had a great experience with the OB-GYN Specialists Group in Walnut Creek. They are located at 2121 Ygnacio Valley Road and their phone number is ###-###-####.

Having said that, I must let you know that I haven't given birth, so I've never had to deal with them in that specific situation. However, I have had several OBGYN's and found that this group of women understand the issues women face. In particular I really liked Shari Kasper DO and Linda Wright RNC,WHCNP.

I hope this helps. Take Care!

I understand your feelings and applaud you for finding someone better suited to your personality. Coming from a medical family, I am very picky and hey! That's OK! I liked my OB/GYN so much, I'd bring him Jamba juices with each appointment. Interview Dr. Louis Klein across the street from John Muir.

I highly recommend Dr. Stephen Wells, I didn't have a VBAC but I know he is very supportive of them. Good luck!

Dr Menaroosh Almassi in Concord. She is very thorough, gives you all the options and actually spends time with you at each appointment.

I loved my OB GYN - he is a great guy, very open & happy to listen. I, too, ended up with a C-Section after 24 hours of labor, but he was very good about explaining the alternatives & why he thought it was a good idea.

Yaron Friedman MD
130 La Casa Via
Walnut Creek, CA 94598
###-###-####
____@____.com

Good luck!

K.,
My OB is Dr. Stephen Wells. He is absolutely the most kind and genuine doctor out there. His practice is in Walnut Creek. I do not know if he has a wait for new patients at this time, but he is well worth any wait!!
Email me with any questions, ____@____.com
G. C.

Hi K.,

I go to OBGYN Specialists in Walnut Creek. It is a practice of four women. My favorite there is Dr. Senior. She is an EXCELLENT doctor. She handled my miscarriage in 2005 and was extremely warm and compasionate. It was definitely helpful during that rough time. I also like Dr. Walker. They are at 2121 Ygnacio Valley Rd, and their number is ###-###-####.

Hi K.: If you don't have a preference, I have a male OB/GYN in Walnut Creek whose in the John Muir Network. His office is right across from John Muir, near Heather Farm park. His name is Dr. Richard Seibert. He delivered my two children at John Muir, and I've been going to him for the past 17 years. He tends to talk really fast because he really knows his stuff, but he does take the time to explain things to you if you don't understand what he's saying. He is excellent with with follow through and will go to bat for you when he needs to be aggressive with your health care to other specialists. His office is very warm and inviting and his staff is very caring, which includes his Celia (a nurse) who helps out the office staff. Good Luck!

I like Dr. Alan Kaplan. He delivered my baby boy last year. He is a great doctor. He is at 1776 Ygnacio Valley Rd. ###-###-####

My first was scheduled C-section (brrech). When I became preganant with my 2nd I started reading everything I could about VBACs. I had a few friends that were also preganant with #2 and their doctors told them they would HAVE to have C-section. I went in armed with info and ready to leave my OBGYN if they said I couldn't have a VBAC. I was surprised when they were EXTREMELY supportive. OBGYN Specialists, Jeannette Walker delivered.

FYI - #2 was sunnyside up with the cord around his neck so after 14 hours of labor I ended up with a 2nd c-section. I too was devastated.

Good luck!

I've heard good things about Dr. Alan Kaplan. He delivered my sister-in-law's baby and she was quite happy with him.

Hello There,

I am sorry to hear that you did not have a good experience with your former OBGYN. I know that John Muir has plenty of OBGYN. With that said I also know there are not many that perform VBAC. But here are some MD names I know of - If you are comfortable with male OB/GYN Dr. Stephen Wells (Busy practice), Dr. Cole (might be retiring soon).

I had Dr. Alan Kaplan and loved him - Unfortunately, I have a different insurance in which he is not in the system. But here was my experience. I had an extremely complicated pregnancy. He was upfront yet gentle to me. He was extremely thorough in testing and making sure no stone was uncovered. He provided copies of my files to carry around with me in the event I went in labor and he was not around. He was conservative in a sense that he was cautious to even allow me to take tylenol for my headache. On the day of my delivery -5 weeks early. He was off. He just happened to be in the hospital to complete paperwork. Another MD was covering and about to deliver - Dr. Kaplan started blurting out all these other concerns related to my concern - did you think of this... did you think of that? I laugh because he ended up "firing" the covering MD and delivered our daughter himself. When I saw him walk in the delivery room I cried (in happiness) as he explained why he was there. He was my fatherly Jewish MD. He is not the type who will be all hugging and personable in a sense of knowing about all your problems and your whole life- I didn't need that from him. He again was very thorough and explained everything to the level of understanding to my husband and myself. He was on-call all the time and responded immediately when paged without recourse. But he sure CARED about my life and the life of my unborn child. I do miss him and wished he could be my MD for when we are pregnant again. I hope that helps. M. .

A little about me:
I work full-time for Kaiser Permanente and juggle around all the other activities involved as a wife and mother. Have a loving husband of 8 years and a beautiful, active 4 year old daughter.