L&D at Kaiser SF vs. Kaiser South SF

stbmittleman

My hubby was transfered from Sac to San Francisco for a year, so we're temporarily living in Pacifica during the week. I'm planning to head back to Sac at 37 weeks to have my baby at Kaiser Roseville, but found out yesterday the baby is sitting very low and have been ordered to take it easy. I'm still being seen at Kaiser Davis for my regular appointments, but was given the numbers for Kaiser So. San Francisco and Kaiser SF just in case I need to go into L&D. Also, if things don't get better and I'm put on bed rest, I'll need to stay in Pacifica since it would mean having DH nearby (instead of two hours away) and will probably plan to have the baby in the Bay Area.

DH has a coworker whose wife had her baby at Kaiser SF and loved it, but I haven't heard anything else about that hospital or about So. SF. Do any of you have experience with L&D at either hospital or have you heard anything good or bad about either hospital? My original thought was to go to So. SF so it's easier for my family to see me if needed, but my mom said not to worry about them, she could always take BART/taxi it if she needs to go into the city. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!

Structenggal

I don't have any experience myself with Kaiser SF.  My brother/SIL live in SF and had a baby 2 weeks ago.  They were told on their L&D tour to call before going in...that Kaiser SF has a small L&D wing and that they may have to go to Oakland or somewhere else.  Low and behold - when her water broke and they called, they had to drive all the way to Redwood City to have the baby. 

Their reasoning on the L&D tour was that apparently everyone wants their baby to have San Francisco as the birth place on their birth certificate, so they get people from all over driving to SF to have their babies.

Anyway, I guess what I'm saying is that you may not be able to go to SF even if that's what you want.

stbmittleman

Structenggal:

I don't have any experience myself with Kaiser SF.  My brother/SIL live in SF and had a baby 2 weeks ago.  They were told on their L&D tour to call before going in...that Kaiser SF has a small L&D wing and that they may have to go to Oakland or somewhere else.  Low and behold - when her water broke and they called, they had to drive all the way to Redwood City to have the baby. 

Their reasoning on the L&D tour was that apparently everyone wants their baby to have San Francisco as the birth place on their birth certificate, so they get people from all over driving to SF to have their babies.

Anyway, I guess what I'm saying is that you may not be able to go to SF even if that's what you want.

That's great to know! Thanks so much. It's too bad they don't give preference to SF residents and people who live in Daly City or Pacifica.

RozieGirl

Whoa..I've never heard that before. I delivered there 3 years ago and had to call just to make sure there was room but yes they do send you to the next city if they are full. I'm also getting ready to deliver there in another month or so I'll let you know if I get the runaround or not. The SF L&D has about 8 rooms (I think) and although they are busy, their staff is super nice and very very attentive. There are no sharing rooms which is good. I had an issue with one of the pp nurses there but for the most part was happy with the service and delivery.

futrkingsley

I've never heard of either of these things (that KP would send you somewhere else or that people prefer it for it's address), but I don't live in SF.  I can't imagine KP in San Jose doing that at all. 

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and I hope you get to deliver where you want to!

Mrs.K&C

futrkingsley:

I've never heard of either of these things (that KP would send you somewhere else or that people prefer it for it's address), but I don't live in SF.  I can't imagine KP in San Jose doing that at all. 

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and I hope you get to deliver where you want to!

I know my Kaiser hospital (Santa Rosa) if their L&D is full...and they send people to San Francisco because it's the closest! I would have DIED if I had to drive to SF either time as I was in active labor by the time we got on the road both times.

I looked at Kaiser SF when I was pg with DD because of their NICU (I was on bedrest with her and there were concerns about her being delivered early, and my hospital won't take babies under 34 weeks) and everyone I spoke to had positive experiences at Kaiser SF. 

Mrs.Wubbin

When I was pg w/ Eloise Kaiser SSF did not do L&D.  My choices were SF or RWC.  I chose SF and had a great delivery experiance.  The staff was very nice and knowledgeable.  Good luck!

jujubes

Hi! SSF Kaiser does not have an L&D unit.  They don't even have Pediatrics there anymore.  They moved their Peds unit to the new Daly City offices.  Your options would be Kaiser Redwood City or Kaiser SF to deliver your baby.

I delivered both of my little ones in Kaiser SF and both experiences were great.  The nurses and doctors were very nice and open to answering my questions.  They have a higher level of NICU there in case anything should happen to baby...hopefully that doesn't happen but I felt better knowing that they had the staff there if anything did. While I was in nursing school I did my clinicals at Kaiser RWC's L&D and they have a great staff too.

One of the other reasons I chose Kaiser SF was because most of RWC's postpartum rooms are shared whereas you would most likely have your own postpartum room at Kaiser SF. 

You do have to call ahead to make sure a room is available tho.

HTH!