Hospital for a planned C-section

I had an unplanned C-section at UCSF with my first child and a planned C-section with Dr. Nseyo at Alta Bates with my second child and had an excellent surgery experience at both hospitals. The post-delivery recovery experience is a little different at each one, as others have noted in posts comparing UCSF and Alta Bates. I thought the nursing care was great at both, but UCSF had far, far better food, smoother logistics, and seemingly better communication between care providers. At Alta Bates, a pediatrician didn't round on my son until his second day of life, apparently because no one altered the pediatrician team that he had been born (or the peds team didn't get the message -- it was unclear to us). That said, personally, I would choose whichever hospital is closest to where you'll be living. Happy to chat more about my experience at each as helpful. 

Hi! Congratulations on the move and on your pregnancy! I delivered my second child via a scheduled C-section at Kaiser Oakland. I LOVED the experience. The anesthesiologist was amazing, my OB-GYN did a preop call with me to discuss everything and honestly, the whole experience was so relaxed and joyful. I would HIGHLY recommend a scheduled C-section to anyone who has the option (my first was an emergency C-section) and everyone at Kaiser Oakland was wonderful. After two nights, they cleared me to go home, but with a young child at home and lots of pain after my first delivery, I asked to stay a third night, and they all approved it. The extra night made a huge difference in a calm transition home. All to say-you'll be in great hands.

Welcome to the area, and congratulations! I am a Kaiser member- I get my care at the Richmond facility, but had both of my planned c sections at Walnut Creek Kaiser. I can’t recommend them enough. I had wonderful surgeons, staff, and care while there. Good luck on your search!

Not sure if you will be in the East Bay, but I had a scheduled c-section at Alta Bates and it was a very positive experience. The doctors and nurses were excellent. Feel free to DM me if you want to talk more. 

Congratulations on your pregnancy! I had a c-section (planned since baby was breach) at Kaiser Walnut Creek and had an amazing experience. I live in and am from Oakland but opted to not deliver at Kaiser Oakland because they're a teaching hospital - I didn't like the idea of being overseen by residents. I also went to Kaiser Oakland for a couple of appts during my pregnancy and had bad experiences with a couple of providers and tried out Kaiser Walnut Creek and things were much more positive. The overall vibe there is very laid back, every time I went it was calm and not crowded. Parking is easy (unlike the Oakland garage - that place stresses me out). The birth itself went really smoothly and the surgeon was phenomenal, very kind and intentional, and did a great job. Kaiser WC is very midwife centered (I think they started one of the first midwifery programs in the state) and I personally prefer midwifery care over OB care in general, although I only saw OBs when I was there. I was able to communicate my preferences for birth which Kaiser calls a "family-centered" c-section - AKA I wanted to hold baby ASAP after birth, we didn't want them to wipe away all of her vernix, etc., and the surgeon was really supportive and understanding of our needs. Postpartum care for the 2 days we spent there after birth was also excellent. I can't speak to UCSF as I've never gotten care there but I highly recommend Kaiser Walnut Creek!

I cannot speak to UCSF or Kaiser, but anecdotally know folks who have good experiences at both of those. I personally delivered via scheduled C-section for my breach baby at California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC) in San Francisco. The new Van Ness hospital opened in 2019, which made for nice facilities.  They deliver A LOT of babies there, and I'm fortunate to say it went really well for us. My L&D nurse was an angel.  The labor rooms there are really large, which we did not have access to as a scheduled cesarean (but I spent time in one when we attempted a version. My nurses for that were both angels as well). The recovery rooms are smaller, but private and nice. Good luck!  There is plenty of great care in the Bay Area.

I had an unplanned c-section at alta bates and it was a positive experience.  When they rolled me in, I asked the surgeon how many c-sections her team does per day and she said between 0 and 20 with an average around 12.  That was very reassuring.  No complications, was up and walking (carefully). that same day.

I had a very good experience at Alta Bates in Berkeley for my C-section. The staff is wonderful and knows very well how to care for csection patients. 

We had excellent experiences at both UCSF (SF) and Alta Bates (Berkeley) and have heard great things about Kaiser Oakland. 

I had an unplanned C section at Alta Bates and had a good experience, particularly with the postpartum team. The C section itself was unplanned so of course not my favorite and a bit scary experience, but I remember the anesthesiologist fondly! The hospital is a little dated but you get a big room by yourself (at least as of Nov 2020) and partner gets a hospital bed. The team was great and helped us learn how to take care of a baby.