The midwives at El Camino Hospital have moved to El Camino Los Gatos. They have fantastic statistics (some years C-section rates as low as 6% while maintaining above average statistics for baby and mother health). The appointments are slow paced and the care is individualized. We have been so very satisfied with them and am constantly impressed with their commitment. It shows in many ways, but for one example, they arrive at the hospital hours before the baby is born (unless the baby is super fast!), check in on your regularly, and provide continuous support through transition and the final stages of labor. This is in contrast to most OBs who manage labor through the L&D nurse over the phone and arrive in your room after you are already pushing and sometimes as late as the baby's crowning. Obviously they have OBs on hand to handle any emergencies or unusual situations. I know other very happy moms in the neighborhood who have used them. If you are interested in learning more about midwifery and/or meeting them, you can attend their free tea they have once a month: http://www.bayareamaternity.com/news.php.

Sarah on Quincy - updated November 2012

Summary of referrals:

• I can HIGHLY recommend the women at The Women's Clinic in Portola Valley. I believe they are part of PAMF now, but it has been awhile for us :) Whoops - forgot to mention that our Dr.'s name is Laurie Karl. Good luck!

• I loved Women's Health in Portola Valley, which is affiliated with Palo Alto Medical Foundation. My favorite doctor there was Dr. Laurie Karl. However, you will see all the doctors as you go through your pregnancy at least once, since you don't know who will be on call when you deliver. Granted my youngest is almost 6, but all the doctors were pretty terrific when I was there.

• You'll probably get loads of referrals, there are good doctors here in the Bay Area. :-) I cannot recommend Jan Rydfors highly enough. He delivered both our kids, with complications. He's in private practice, having been once practiced @ PAMF. He delivers almost exclusively at Stanford, and he wrote a v. popular book on obstetrics that the doctoring students @ Stanford love (just check him out on Amazon). If you want the best, or some of the best hands, Dr. Rydfors fits the bill. Oh, another thing, nurses (who you need to be on your side) just love him. They absolutely gush over him at the hospital. The down side to Dr. Rydfors.... he perpetually late for everything...except when the baby coming! :-) And his office is in Redwood City, about an 11 mile hike north from here. But he takes his time with you, and that is better than being rushed in and out. Now, if you really want someone local, I've also seen Dr. Sukhdeo @ PAMF, the Los Altos branch, a mere five minutes here. He's also v. good, and friends of mine have used him for both their kids (and Rydfors and Sukhdeo used to cover for each other). On the negative side, I've seen Dr. Cynthia Woo too - didn't click with her and most of my friends who used her didn't either. She's kinda young. In my water prenatal class, several women used Dr. Mason (I think her first name is Nancy). I don't know much about her, but our teacher and several of the students spoke v. highly of her. I think she is also in private practice. If Dr. Rydfors ever left the area, this is the doctor I would follow up with. Speaking of the water class, your wife should think about going to the CAR center (just on the other side of Middlefield and Charlston) for the Sat. AM prenatal water class. Very relaxing and a good way to meet other pregnant women. The instructor is an birthing expert at PAMF. Class is usually Saturdays at 9AM. Call CAR for specifics. It was about $12 drop in when I was going.

These are the recommendation I received 2/08.

1. Anita or Kirstin or Karen Shin at Palo Alto Medical Foundation in Los Altos

Recommended by: 
LIAT BARANOFF [email protected], Wouter Suverkropp, Ann McMillan <[email protected]>

2. Dr. Suzanne Soriano at Palo Alto Medical Foundation in Los Altos

Recommended by: 
Ann McMillan <[email protected]>

3. Prasanna Menon, in El Camino Hospital, Mountain View

Recommended by: 
Shalini PK <[email protected]>

4. Deborah Metzger, Harmony Womens Health [email protected] www.harmonywomenshealth.com

Recommended by: 
Karen <[email protected]>

5. Kathleen Sutherland 
http://www.elcaminoobgyn.com/

Recommended by: 
Karen <[email protected]>

6. 
At Stanford Clinic: 
Laura Brodzinsky, MD 
General Gynecology 
Clinical Assistant Professor 
Work phone: (650) 498-4733

At Kaiser Mountain View 
Cheryl Branson, MD (She's terrific!) 
555 Castro St - 2nd Floor 
Mountain View CA 94041 
Appt/Advice: (650) 903-3020

Private Practice 
Fabulous woman and doctor!: Kate O'Hanlan, MD 
http://www.ohanlan.com/

Recommended by: 
[email protected]

7. Tatiana Spirtos in Redwood City 
Women's Care Medical Group 
366-5594 
2900 Whipple Dr. Suite 135 
(Just past Sequoia Hospital) 
Recommended by: 
[email protected]