I am relatively new to kaiser and would like recommendations for a good OBGYN at Richmond Kaiser. The ones listed as accepting new patients right now include: Dr. Betty Lin Dr. Tracy Flanagan, Dr. Nora Salvador, Dr. Rachel Hartshorn, Dr. Carla Wicks, Deborah Nicholas, NP. If there is anyone else not on this list at the Richmond location that you would recommend, I would love to know about them as well. Thank you!!!

I'm looking for a great gynecologist (they don't need to practice obstetrics -- and in fact I find that great obstetricians often make mediocre gyn docs, and vice versa), preferably one with a good knowledge base around breast/ovarian cancer. I'm in Berkeley, and would prefer Oakland or Richmond, but might be willing to travel farther afield. Thanks! esme

hi! i am switching from oakland to richmond, kaiser & wondering if anyone has reviews of dr. rachel hartshorn. thanks! anon

Re: Kaiser & Childbirth--Oakland or Richmond
Hi, My doctor is at Richmond Kaiser. Her names is Amanda Calhoun. I love her! She helped me through a miscarriage and also delivered my first child in October! I would recommend going to Richmond for your appointments. They are more thorough than Oakland, and seem to be more personable. I had a bad experience with a nurse practitioner at Oakland. She basically put my life at risk.

Richmond Kaiser is actually voted something like number 4 of the Kaiser in Northern California. Unfortunately they do not deliver babies. You have to go to Oakland. I had a good experience their. My labor and delivery was pretty much text book. The only complaint was they do not have tubs to be in just showers.

When I asked my doctor if she recommended Oakland or Walnut creek for labor, she said, Oakland was really good at being attentive for the labor and delivery but lacked in recovery. Walnut Creek was more attentive at recovery but lacked somewhat in delivery, so if you know you are having a c section go with Walnut Creek. Good Luck Happy Mom

I wished to ask for recommendation for good surgeon Gyn in Kaiser / Richmond Facility prefering a female if possible. Also, a primary care there as I am changing insurance. Thank you

I have read the archived postings about Kaiser Richmond OB's, but did not see the info I am looking for. For my last pregnancy I used Kaiser Oakland for my prenatal care and, since I was considered high risk, was under the care of Dr. Walton, although I mostly saw one of the residents. Now I live closer to the Richmond facility and I would like recommendations for OBs there. I called to find out who handles their high-risk cases and was told that they all do, but most are handled by Dr. Tracy Seo and Dr. Nora Salvador. Neither of them have appointments available soon so my first visit will be with Dr. Flanagan. I would like to know other peoples' experiences with these doctors, pro and con, and any other OBs at Richmond, particularly for a high risk pregnancy. Also, if anyone can compare the Oakland vs. Richmond facilities for prenatal care and high risk pregnancies, I'd love to hear about that, since I could go to Oakland it's just not as convenient. Thank you! Getting ready for baby #2

Anyone have any recommendations for a Kaiser Richmond OBGYN' I'm looking for someone with a more natural approach that is supportive of homebirth(or at least not horrified by it:)

Congradulations! I was very concerned too when I read people's comments on the UCB parents website when I was pregnant. Now my baby is 9 months old and I think I should post and tell people about my experience at Kaiser and at Alta Bates.

The prenatal care at Kaiser (Richmond) was good. My nurse practitioner was very caring and she pays attention to a lot of things. She once made another appointment with a dermotologist so that I can just go upstairs and have my skin rash treated right there in one visit.

However my complaints are: (1) not enough information for classes - I had to call and ask (a few times) to enroll in the childbirth class. For other classes (breast feeding, baby care) they don't offer in Richmond, I had to call the Oakland medical center for it and they didn't give that information to me in the prenatal visit. (2) sometimes it is hard to get an appointment- that's the major reason why I didn't ask to see a MD but sometimes it was difficult to schedule the appointment even with my nice NP. Kaiser send Richmond and Oakland patients to Alta Bates in Berkeley for delivery. Our experience with Alta Bates was actually pretty good. In the delivery room the nurse was very helpful and supportive. I was fortunate to have a quick delivery and so that's all I can remember. We got a private room. In the recovery section the nurses are responsive and helpful too. I remember they would come in 5-10 minutes when I called. They didn't offer any formula or bottle at all when my baby cried and my real milk hadn't come. Now I understand that not all hostipals would do the same for breast feeding babies.

I still don't know if my positive experience was because of overall improvement of Alta Bates or just because my baby was born in a "good" time when there is not too many new mothers and babies. So I think it is a good idea to see if other members of this list have any recent experience with them. (and update the web page if necessary). Wishing all the best for you and your baby.