2999 Regent St Suite 301
Berkeley CA
(510) 204-8160

Reviewed on this page: Lisa Bernard-Pearl MD, Richard Rudd MD, Hilary Modell NP
No longer in this practice: Ferdinand Beernink, Emily Birenbaum (now practices at Kaiser Oakland), Aaron Chinn, Heather Irwin, Allen Nan (now practices at Kaiser Walnut Creek)

Re: East Bay Obstetricians
I have had a great experience with Hilary Modell, a Nurse Practitioner at Sutter OBGYN. I like the doctors in the practice as well, but have mostly worked with Hilary and find her very knowledgeable. 510-841-5510, 2999 Regent St, Suite 301 anon

Re: gynocologist that has a good knowledge of breast health
I can highly recommend Dr. Richard Rudd to be your OB/GYN. He is quite knowledgeable (you will be in very competent hands!) and best of all - he has the most fantastic, warm bedside manner. He doesn't rush patients, he answers all your questions, he is so gentle and thoughtful. I know you will love having him take care of your OB/GYN needs! Stay healthy, CDH

Re: OB Gyn for cervical dysplasia
Dr. Lisa Bernard-Pearl is a wonderful OBGYN and she specializes in cervical dysplasia and colposcopy. I'm not sure if you would be able to get in to see her quickly, but I'm sure you could talk to her about your concern and whether or not it is safe to wait. She is part of the East Bay Physicians Medical Group with offices in Berkeley and Richmond. Her number is: 510-204-8160. Good Luck! Anna

Dr. Lisa Bernard-Pearl - Any feedback? I'm considering her as an OB. If anyone has any positive or negative feedback, I'd be grateful. If, by chance, you had a VBAC with her or tried and weren't able to succeed, I'd love feedback about that as well. Thank you!

Re: Experienced O.B. Needed for Twin Birth
I would very highly recommend Dr. Lisa Bernard-Pearl (510-204-8160) as an OB for twins or otherwise. She is my OBGYN and while she did not deliver my kids (they are 6 and 9 now and she only recently moved to the East Bay) I have worked with her as a doula. She has always been very open to my clients desires in birth and non-interventionist. She has a very warm bedside manner and really listens. She also has twins of her own! The down side is that she is in a large call group. I think it is still worth meeting her, however. Good Luck! Anna

I had some complications recovering from a c-section; the Dr. was Richard Rudd and I would like to know the type of OB experience others have had with him, particularly c-sections. It's not clear (to me at least) whether the complications are due to an emergency issue that occurred at the birth or his handling of it, so I'd just like to gather further anecdotal information on Rudd's handling of c-sections. anon

Re: OB/GYN for VBAC in East Bay area
I had a great VBAC experience with Dr Richard Rudd of East Bay OB/GYN in January of 2005. I gave birth at Alta Bates and was induced due to high blood pressure two weeks before my due date, had an epidural, and still had a VBAC. I had seen the other (female) doctors in the practice and discussed the VBAC issue with them without much reassurance. When I saw Dr Rudd at 7 months I felt he discussed the options with me much more openly than the others and for some reason, even though I had not wanted a male doctor, I decided to stick with him for the rest of the pregnancy and fortunately when I needed to be induced I was able to schedule a day that he was there. Good luck, and I would be happy to answer any other questions you may have. Laura

Re: OB/GYN for VBAC in East Bay area
Check out East Bay Fertility OB/GYN Medical Group on Regent St. in Berkeley. 510-843-7722.

I had a VBAC for my 2nd child with no problems after a horrendous 1st labor and c-section. I simply TOLD my doctors that I was having a VBAC, but if anything were to go wrong I wouldn't resist medical advice/common sense.

I thought the Drs were very supportive and impressed with my research... You are more likely to have a successful VBAC with a doula present. They asked who my doula was, and I told them it was Treesa Mclean, they were very pleased with my choice. Treesa works well with the Drs at Alta Bates and she has a good reputation there. Also, I found the labor and delivery nurses at Alta Bates VERY supportive of my VBAC decision.

Just b/c you had a difficult 1st delivery doesn't mean the 2nd one won't be easy. My 2nd came so fast I could barely get to the hospital which was a few blocks from my house. It was a text book L & D (the contractions, the water breaking, pushing for 30-45 min. and boom a baby!). So fast I couldn't even get any pain meds, which turned out okay (but God did it hurt) Go for the VBAC!

Re: OB/GYN for VBAC in East Bay area
For my second baby, I had to switch OBs twice to find someone who was supportive of my desire for a VBAC. I wound up going to Dr. Richard Rudd (841-5510) who was very supportive of my desire for a VBAC (though not all the other doctors in the practive were). I wound up with a C-section the second time too because he was worried about cord prolapse, but because he had been so supportive of my desire for a VBAC I trusted him when he said it was imperative that I get a C-section immediately. We had our baby at Alta Bates

I had to find a new OB about 3 months into my pregnancy. A friend recommend Dr. Huibonhoh but I also found she was full when I called. I went to Dr. Richard Rudd (841-5510) and really like him so far. He doesn't seem to be a warm and fuzzy hand- holding kind of guy, but he has taken the time to answer all my questions and I feel really good about him. When I told him the list of doulas he gave me was out of date, he took to the time get a copy of the list and write down who was no longer a birth doula. He is really encouraging me to do a VBAC (I wasn't sure I wanted to before). I know someone else who goes to a different doctor in the same practice and she had two vaginal births, I think with no drugs.

What's going on with East Bay Fertility OB/Gyn Medical Group? I've had to switch my doctor three times in the last year due to changes in personnel. Is it just coincidence, or is there a reason that all the ''good'' doctors are jumping ship? I just heard that Dr. Biernbaum has left now and am wondering if it's a sign... Does anyone have the scoop? is it time to find a new doc?

Hi, I've read all the great recommendations for Dr.'s Streitfeld and Huibonhoa and am looking for additional insight into which of these doctors would be best for me. I'm also open to going to another OB/GYN in the East Bay. I have Blue Cross HMO (California Care).

I'm a fat woman with a successful pregnancy behind me. I am lesbian and hoping to become pregnant again (using a sperm bank). I have recently been diagnosed with diabetes and will be starting Metformin which should hopefully help with getting pregnant along with lowering my blood sugar. I am, of course, making diet changes and continuing my exercise program.

I was under midwife care for my last pregnancy and ended up in the hospital with an emergency c-section. I also had gestational diabetes (controlled very well through diet). Anyway, I don't want to go the midwife route again for various reasons, including my medical condition and psychological fears due to what happened last time.

I want a doctor who will not be uncomfortable with my fat body or diabetes, and will be good for pre-care (inseminations) as well as on-going, non pregnancy care - in other words, someone I can stay with for a long time. I'd love to find someone who could remain my doctor if I get pregnant, although I will be a ''high risk'' pregnancy with diabetes and I understand that there are few of these practices around anymore due to malpractice insurance premiums.

In any case, if you have any recommendations for someone who is highly competent, will be okay with my body, and can help me through the fears of pregnancy after a somewhat traumatic first experience, that would be great! Much Appreciated

Would appreciate hearing about any recent experiences with Dr. Allen Nan and his OB practice. This is my first pregnancy. Thanks! Sarah

As for the EBOGMA (Berkeley) practice, I've been going there for a long time. Dr. Stachel was my OB/GYN for many years, she is now on disability I believe. So I went to Dr. Arzou Ashan, who was pretty good. But in the end I chose to use a midwife - Lindy Johnson (Family Midwifery in Berkeley on Durant - 644.0104), who was AMAZING. Honestly, if we decide to have a third, I would go the midwife route, I delivered at Alta Bates, she was there through everything and was an incredible support. Hope that helps, good luck. anonymous

Editor Note: as of July 2004, Arzou Ahsan is now at ObGyn Fertility Group.

I've read the posts online about the Alta Bates office of East Bay OB&GYN and am wondering if anyone had a natural childbirth with any of these doctors (Rudd, Birenbaum, Nan, etc.) In addition to not wanting an epidural, I don't want an IV or constant EFM. Were the doctors receptive to these or similar requests? Thank you! Beatrice

The doctors are really not around much until you are having problems or are ready to deliver. Since I had no problems I can't say if they would have let me try longer to deliver naturally. I can say that Dr. Rudd is an all around excellent physician. He did major surgery on me that allowed me to get pregnant. He was always very supportive of the idea that I could deliver naturally after this surgery based on my outcome. If I had any problem during delivery I would definately want him there to handle it.

Childbirth is something you can't control. Because I had the surgery similar to a C-section I was very motivated to not have to experience that again so I wanted a natural childbirth. With that said, if it had become necessary to have more interventions I would have been ok with that as well. I had a lot of trust in Dr. Rudd and that made me more relaxed to know that if something might go wrong, he or the other doctors would guide me through it.

The biggest help in having a natural childbirth was a doula and making sure you have supportive nurses. They are the ones that will help you through the labor.

Good Luck! julie

I've just found out that my ob/gyn, Dr. Arzou Ahsan, is leaving East Bay Fertility Group as of July. Does anyone know where she's gone? Thanks! Ellen

Re: Hills Physicians Woman OB/GYN
I have Blue Shield and Hill Physicians. I had a recent first very good experience with Arzou Ahsan at the EB OB-GYN group, I think they're called, located in the tall medical building directly to the east of Alta Bates. She was friendly, knowledgeable, respectful and informal. I'm quite particular about medical providers and had just had a negative experience with another OB-GYN. I'll be happy to share more info if you write me off list. Good luck! - Rebecca

I've looked at the website, and I've even posted practically the same question here before, but I want to make sure I have up-to- date recommendations. I was a patient of Laura Stachel's. I liked her so much that I was willing to put up with remaining on hold for 5-10 minutes every time I called the office, with prescription mixups and copayment problems. Now that she's officially not returning to practice, I need to find another gynecologist. My issues revolve around menopause and hormones, not pregnancy and childbirth. I have Blue Shield HMO, at least for the time being, and my regular MD is a member of Hill Physicians but not ABMG. I haven't seen any of the other docs in Laura Stachel's group, although I had a short visit with Heather Irwin when I was pregnant a number of years ago. Can anyone suggest another gynecologist who inspires trust and confidence, who is open to alternatives, and who might be covered by my insurance? I'd be happy to see a nurse practitioner instead of an MD for annual checkups if I don't need anything more medical than that. Perplexed

Does anyone know where Dr. Lisa Keller went? I know she left the east bay fertility group, but I don't know where she went from there. I personally used Dr. Laura Stachel, but she's out on medical leave, and Dr. Heather Irwin is gone. I don't like any of the other doctors left in the practice, and would at least like to try to find Dr. Keller! So, if anyone else has followed her, or knows where she went I would highly appreciate locating her! Thanks! jen

I just learned that my OB/GYN Lisa Keller is leaving the East Bay OB/GYN Medical Group in Berkeley - has anyone had any experience yet with the two new women doctors that have joined the group (Arzou Ahsan and Emily Biernbaum)?

Re: hyperemesis during pregnancy

I think that my ob/gyn, Richard Rudd, M.D., would agree that I get the award for one of the worst cases of hyperemesis gravidarum. He saw me through the first four hideous months of hyperemesis with my now 9-year old daughter (which then abated, somewhat), and a hellish 9 mos., 4 days of relentless vomiting, etc. with my just-turned 3-year old son.

Dr. Rudd is really smart, really academmic, and really compassionate. Ultimately, I had i.v. hydration, home nursing, and an in-dwelling cathater in my leg to mitigate the nausea and vomiting. Dr. Rudd was very persistent and knowledgeable about trying different anti-emetics--ones that were non-teratogenic as well as my being able to tolerate them. (I could not tolerate Compazine, for example.) Richard even tried me on Zofran, which is given to chemo patients, and did not work, ultimately. But the point is that he tried and suggested, but did not push it, that if all else failed, and I continued to lose weight (I lost 15 pounds in the beginning and could ill afford to lose even that), that I could always do a tapering program of steroids over at UC. (that the steroid regimen was preferable over surgically inserting an implanted catheter for alimentation) Richard also reassured me, repeatedly, that the baby was healthy, growing fine, etc., that only I, not the baby, was failing. Ultimately, I delivered a healthy heifer of a blue-eyed, blonde-haired cherubic baby boy. And even continued to vomit during delivery. I wish you luck; I wanted to die during that pregnancy, and people say you forget, but I haven't. Danna

Re: RN for Ob/Gyn
I love Hillary Modell at East Bay OBGYN - right across from Alta Bates. Give her a try - 841-5510. She's one of 2 RN's at this practice. Most of the docs at this practice are good too - Drs. Irwin and Keller delievered our 2 children. --Hillary Modell fan

I highly recommend Dr. Laura Stachel, an OBGYN located in the building on Regent street across from Alta Bates Hospital. I have been going to her for years for endometriosis, ruptured ovarian cysts, routine care, and now for my pregnancy. She has done surgery on me twice, and I believe she is an excellent surgeon. She has been very responsive, calling me several times to reach me with urgent lab results, helping me get special care approved for payment through the medical group, etc. I don't know if she is accepting new patients at this time. She works with a nurse practitioner, Hillary Modell, who is also good. I have also heard good reports about Dr. Lisa Keller, in the same practice as Laura, but haven't met her myself. Good luck! Heather

Does anybody have any recommendations regarding the East Bay Fertility OB/GYN Medical Group in Berkeley (doctors include Beernink, Chinn, Irwin, Keller, Rudd, Stachel)? I recently started fertility testing and treatment there and have a couple of concerns. From the start, it was clear that there is dissension (though certainly no evident anomosity) within the group. The three doctors I happened to see (I was assigned to whoever was available on the days it was recommended I come in) would have seemed just fine on their own, but they gave me conflicting advice, and acknowledged that they each have different opinions on timing of tests, indicated treatments, etc. (Already, I've had to take the same test twice to accommodate the concerns of two different doctors.) Since these differences of opinion are making an already iffy situation even more confusing and stressful (which doc do I listen to?), I am wondering whether anybody else has had a similar experience and whether it has been a problem with regard to accessing information and, ultimately, to treatment itself. Also, if anybody has a recommendation outside this medical group, please let me know!

For my second I went to East Bay Family Practice (Janet Arnesty) and thought she was wonderful. Low-key but attentive and thorough.

I just wanted to reply to the "reversing tubal ligations". I met with my gyn, Dr. Aaron Chinn recently about reversing my tubes and he's the best around. He has a 90% success rate and 85% pregnancy. Depending on how the tubes were tied, they may or may not be reversable. He's located in Pinole and is a wonderful gynecologist.

We ended up with a premature delivery for our first and Dr. Keller and Dr. Stachel were very supportive and made sure that we were well informed about all that was going on. I was under Dr. Stachel's care for our second pregnancy and she was great about monitoring my progress and I was fortunate to go to term. I find the doctors in the group to be very nice and accommodating to my needs.

Good luck with your pregnancy. Denise