UCSF vs CPMC in San Francisco

ckettenb

Hey Ladies - this is my first post on the bump.  DH and I just found our we're preggers last week.  (Eeek - it still doesn't feel real and just typing it totally blows my mind)  I'm only 5 1/2 weeks along (or 3 1/2 weeks from conception) so things are still super early and we're not telling friends/family yet (other than our parents) but I figure I can tell you ladies on the the bump, right??

Anyway - I don't currently have a Doctor or an OB/GYN... DH's company just switched our heath plan and now I basically have to start from scratch with finding someone to deliver our baby.  Ugh.  Been doing some searching of the interwebs and it seems that UCSF and California Pacific Medical Center both seem like good places to deliver so I figured I might start my search at one of those two places.  Has anyone on here had any experience with either hospital??  Good/bad/otherwise?  Any recs for doctors or ob/gyns??

Any help/suggestions would be most appreciated.  Thanks!!!

-Courtney

DandaLion

Don't have any advice for you, but just wanted to say welcome and H&H 9mo to you!

sfmom2B

I gave birth at CPMC. I thought it was a great experience but I have nothing to compare it to. My doctor only practices out of there. The nurses were awesome and eveyone down to the food service people were downright the nicest. One of the only differences I know of is at cpmc you get a really nice dinner ( we chose steak) and word from my friends who ga e birth at ucsf is you don't get it. I don't know that you could go wrong at either. That said number 2 will also be delivered at cpmc.

ckettenb

Thanks!!

aj0915

don't really have any advice either. just wanted to say congrats!! and i totally remember you from the knot days

SeasonalCook

I belong to Kaiser, but I have 4 girlfriends who delivered at CPMC. I've never heard any complaints...but as PP said, they don't really have anything to compare to.

tmp-195892875001867

I had a fantastic experience at CPMC! 

f&s2006

I asked the same question a while back, and ended up with CPMC...  most of the ppl here and IRL in SF delivered there and had a good experience.  My OB actually told me that she would prefer Kaiser over UCSF because it is a teaching hospital, and in her opinion, sometimes they go a little longer than she would like to see before interventions...  that is just her opinion though.  I have been happy with her so far, Laurie Green at pacwomens.org.  I think she is only taking pg patients so you should be able to get her if you're interested. She tends to be pretty straightforward and is well thought of as an OB, apparently (from talking to other doctors and moms).  Not the really warm and fuzzy type though, if that's what you're looking for. 

d.cubed

I'm actually going to do a birth center birth.  However, just in case of emergency, I am using CPMC.  I have an OB there who is great and I've done all of my labs there.  Everyone is SO nice.  Even getting your blood drawn is a pleasurable experience!

pinkprincess2

I delivered at CPMC and cannot say enough GREAT things about it!  I had a great experience, the nurses were nice, attentive, and educated, and the food was good!

I also LOVE LOVE LOVE my OB and the rest of the OBs in her practice.  If you want her name just page or PM me and I'd be happy to send it along.  She is absolutely wonderful, full of energy, spends a lot of time with you, and is very caring towards her patients. 

Suzi

I have given birth at both hospitals (#1 at UCSF and #2 at CPMC). Although there was a nurses strike at CPMC when I delivered, I'd have to say that overall CMPC was a much more enjoyable and mellow experience.  It may be due to the fact that my first was a complicated birth (2 days labor ending in C-Section) and my second was a VBAC.

Since UCSF is a teaching facility, I sometimes had about a dozen people in my delivery room which included med students.  The oldest doctor that I ever saw was probably a decade younger than me.  However, UCSF may have been better equipped to help my daughter who had some complications.  Here is a full list of my pros and cons:

UCSF:

Pros: large room with great view, awesome nursing staff, the best facility for high-risk deliveries and awesome neo-natal care, will let you eat while you are in labor (great for long labors), will allow doulas and music in the delivery room.

Cons: too many staff at one time, very young doctors, lots of staff/doctor rotations.

CMPC:

Pros: Most practices have older, more experienced doctors that also do deliveries, the only 2 doctors I saw during my stay was my normal OBGYN and the one covering for her, never more than 2-3 staff in the room, nice post-delivery dinner for you and partner, can schedule in-room massage. 

Cons:  Smaller rooms, most practices will not allow doulas, will not allow you to eat prior to delivery, no radios/music allowed, no med students.

 .

SweetieP

No advice - just wanted to say Congrats and Welcome