We recently found out we are pregnant with our 3rd child, and because we are new to the area, are trying to figure out where the best place for me to deliver would be. CPMC is right down the street from us and I've heard good things about it. However, it doesn't sound very VBAC friendly, something I'd like to at least CONSIDER. The other hospital we're considering is UCSF. It's farther away, but seems to have excellent doctors who deliver there. Also, I am considered "high risk", and it seems like UCSF is a good hospital to be at if there were any complication, or the baby ended up in the NICU. I'm just not sure what other women think about it, or what their experience was delivering there.
If you delivered at either CPMC or UCSF, would you mind sharing your experience? Positive or negative!
Thanks!
Wow! Thank you everyone for your awesome responses. They were ALL very helpful! I agree that a tour of both hospitals -- or at least UCSF, as I was at my nephew's birth at CPMC and feel generally familiar enough with it already -- would be very helpful. It definitely seems like 6 of one, half dozen of the other. Both are great hospitals and I am sure I would have a good experience at either. Now, to find an OB! Ugh. Any recommendations?
Thank you again,
R. -- who thinks that finding a doctor is one of the most frustrating parts about moving to a new city!
I had my daughter at CPMC and had a great birth experience with there. I have also heard good things about UCSF as well, but have not had any personal experience there.
Another good friend of mine delivered two children at CPMC and was a very high risk patient and received excellent perinatal care there.
Hi--I gave birth at St Luke's, but I have been present for births at both CPMC and UCSF, and I would go to UCSF, hands down. :)
Had my daughter at UCSF, they are very thorough and I loved their midwives...all of them were great and very caring. I would definitely be going there for my other kids...when I do decide to try again. :)
I delivered at CPMC. All the nurses and doctors were supportive and caring. I have been going to CPMC for almost 15 years now. However my daughter's pediatrician is at UCSF and we love her. My very good friend delivered both of her babies at UCSF and she also had a positive experience there. So I don't think you'll go wrong with either one. Given that CPMC is closer to where you live, I would suggest you go there. Also keep in mind that street parking at UCSF is tougher than around CPMC. But if you plan on using their parking garage, then either one is fine also.
I do believe you would be fine with either of the hospitals.
UCSF saved my life 4 years ago, when we were sure I would not
survive.
for vback - definately UCSF. my sister researched all hospitals from SF down to SJ and stanford and UCSF were the only hospitals that "fully support and encourage" vbacks and she had the best experience (her 1st delivery was traumatic un-necessary c-section experience at mills peninsula in burlingame).
i delivered my first at CPMC and had the best experience. i was in the hospital for 9 days total due to my water breaking at 5 weeks but not dilating (even with pitocin) and giving the baby more time to develope its lungs and c-section recovery. if i could, i would deliver my 2nd there, too but due to job change, we now have kaiser-sf and i've also heard good things about them so we'll see.
good luck.
Hi R.! As someone who used to volunteer AND delivered my baby @ UCSF, I have to say that UC is my choice! They have excellent doctors and nurses who care for all their patients. However, CPMC is also a great hospital! I've had numerous friends who had their babies there and they had nothing but great things to say about that facility as well! Why don't you tour both facilities and get a feel for things? See which one will make you feel more comfortable? At the end of the day, both facilities have excellent and qualified personnel to attend to your needs as well as your newborn. If one is closer to you than the other, that's also a consideration that you need to make. You mentioned that you're high risk, so the closer you are to a facility, the better! It's a matter of comfort level and trust between you and your potential doctor. Interview a few, see which one you will 'click' with. Good luck!
I had a very high risk pregnancy and CPMC pulled me through to my due date. UCSF has saved the life of my friend's son who was a high risk preemie, plus they did complicated surgeries on him and also my daughter (at 10 months old). So I would highly recommend both. I would maybe lean towards UCSF if you are concerned for your child after birth as their NICU is fabulous!!! Luckily I did not have to learn about CPMC's. But if you think great doctors can do the trick as far keeping the little one in, I loved the CPMC crew!
I had my first (and only) delivery at CPMC - fully natural childbirth with absolutely no medications or interventions. I had no complications so I can't comment on CPMC's capabilities in that area, but I will say that the delivery and recovery nurses were amazing. I would recommend CPMC to any expectant mother.
Congratulations on your pregnancy! My friend had a wonderful experience with her VBAC at CPMC. She did say she had to sign waivers of all sorts, but I think that goes for all hospitals. Good luck with your decision.`:)
I don't think you can go wrong with either hospitals. I delivered my daughter at CPMC and I had a very high-risk pregnancy. They were absolutely great even on a weekend when the hopital was over capacity (I delivered on the last Friday before Christmas). Less important but a nice addition is that the food was amazing!
I chose UCSF because of their birthing center. I live in San Pablo, and was looking for a place to have a water baby. There are so few facilities! I found one in SF, but the cost made me decide it was not the best route. (I have HMO style insurance, so wanted something from a "group".) I too looked at CPMC, had friends that delivered there. They all said great things, but UCSF was willing to let me at least labor in water if I wanted, they were pretty much willing to allow you any style of laboring you wanted and would step in to assist the birth. (You would have to come out of the tub though.)
My labor and delivery went so fast, that I got to the hospital just in time. Had no time or need to labor in water (I had spent so much time in the shower at home before we left - oh how relaxing!) as I delivered right after we arrived. The room was beautiful, the staff was fantastic. I have since recommended it to other mom friends who also decided to deliver there.
It is a very comfortable recommendation.
They do a tour. Take it.
Good luck.
i loved ucsf through my pregnancy and delivery. you do have to be comfortable with the fact that it is a teaching hospital, so lots of residents participating in your delivery/care. i actually found that to be a benefit, and joined a program that assigned me a med student throughout my pregnancy. he came to all my appointments/delivery/etc and was available to field questions for me.
there are a couple of nurse midwifes at ucsf who are great. i had a couple of my doc appointments with suzanne segar, and i loved her. i ended up with a breech baby, so my delivery was by c-section.
as others have said, i don't think you can go wrong with either place, but i had a great experience at ucsf and will be back there again if we ever have another.
