Berkeley Parents Network: Kurt Wharton

Berkeley Parents Network

Kurt Wharton

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Health & Medical > ObGyns > Kurt Wharton

Dr. Kurt Wharton
970 Dewing Ave. #201
Lafayette, CA 94549
(925) 962-0002

Berkeley-Orinda Women's Health

Dec 2007

I have not had a positive experience with Dr. Wharton with my second pregnancy. He seems intent on having me go through another c-section. I am still not convinced that I needed one with my first child, and I only consented as the amniotic fluid was loaded with fecal matter and I was three weeks overdue. I am switching to a midwife named Jeri Zukoski for my delivery at Alta Bates. Does anyone have VBAC experience with Dr. Wharton? Due date is approaching fast!

I was in you situation 6 months ago. I really wanted to go for a trial of labor with my second baby. I needed a c-section for my first. Dr. Wharton and I talked about it - he knew what I wanted but I was about 1 1/2 weeks late and my body was still not complying with my wishes. My cervix was not dilating, etc. He recommended a repeat c-section. I was sad and disappointed but I trusted him. I had an unsuccessful trial of labor with my first son and needed an emergency c-section which was scary and painful. Even on the way to the hospital for my scheduled c-section I wanted a VBAC and was a bit bummed. I ended up being pleasantly surprised. The scheduled c-section was a good experience - and I wasn't as tired as before, healing was faster, etc. When Dr. Wharton opened me up he was surprised to see that my Uterine muscles had seperated and were held together my a very thin membrane. Labor would have caused a uterine rupture. Well, I don't mean to scare you but that is my story. My body was telling Dr. Wharton that a trial of labor may not have been successful. I don't know your situation, why he doesn't want to try a trial of labor, but I'm sure he has your best interests - a healthy baby and mommy in mind. Lori

while i haven't had VBAC experience w/ dr. wharton, i can tell you that as a physician, his judgement is right on. if your amniotic fluid had meconium in it, your chances of your newborn aspriating it were very high. if your dr. thought you needed a c-section and you were three weeks overdue at that point, i'd say the correct call was made. all of us have ideas of how we'd like our deliveries to go. most times, they don't turn out that way. while consulting w/ a midwife is a nice idea and probably part of what you'd like your delivery to be, a midwife isn't going to be as helpful w/ a vbac (JMO). many ob's have stopped doing vbacs due to the risk of uterine rupture. at some point, the care in your delivery is going to be transferred to an ob, like it or not. i'd say, do some serious soul searching- isn't the goal here healthy baby, healthy mom? dr. wharton is incredible, vbac or not. and he'll do what's right for all of you. mom of 3 and an MD

About Dr. Wharton- I didn't have a VBAC with my two kids, however Dr. Wharten DID deliver both of my babies. Both times he was the on-call doctor (he was not my OB). Just want to say that he did a fabulous job. The first kid was born in the operating room as I begged not to have a C-section. He made every effort so that I did not have to have one. He used the foreceps (actually with both births). The second kid came out easier. I was very happy with his efforts not to do a C-section. Happy to have had Dr. Wharton

I have not had a c-section with Dr. Wharton, but I did have two successful vaginal deliveries, one with the baby in the face up position, a frequent cause of c-section delivery. Dr. Wharton was able to turn the baby so she could be delivered.

I am a physician and have had to choose my own doctors very very carefully so that I could trust them completely and truly be a patient with them, not second guess what they are recommending. I chose Dr. Wharton because of his low c-section rate and excellent clinical judgment.

Dr. Wharton was one of the first OB-GYNs in this area to do VBAC and he is a great supporter of natural birth whenever possible. If he is recommending a c-section for you, he has real medical reasons to do so. Perhaps this baby is very large, and your pelvis is narrow. Also, I am not sure from your posting that you realize that ''the amniotic fluid was loaded with fecal matter'' indicates that your first baby was in distress and possibly could have suffered brain and lung injury if put through the stress of a labor and vaginal delivery. Dr. Wharton's decision to deliver you by c-section in that setting was to ensure the health of your newborn. A healthy baby is ultimately what it is all about. It is important to not lose sight of that goal by getting caught up in concerns about how the baby is delivered. As both a physician myself and a patient of Dr. Wharton's, I state with confidence that if he recommends a c-section, it is for the health of you and your baby. Elizabeth

Nov 2007

Re: Looking For OBGYN
I know you mentioned in your post that you wanted a recommendation for a female OBGYN, however, I felt that way to before I met Dr Kurt Wharton who was cevering for my OBGYN 12 Years ago when he was part of a practice in Berkeley. He now has his own prctice In lafayette right off the freeway. It actually is not far. He talks to patients in his office first and if annual visit catches up on your life. He seems to really care and either makes great notes or has a terrific memory...........His Staff are friendly and polite. 925. 962 0002. Happy with my OBGYN

Oct 2007

Re: GYN In Lamorinda
I've seen Dr. Kurt Wharton since he was based in Berkeley (he's been in Lafayette for two or three years). He is a very kind, extremely patient, very skilled doctor. He has always taken time to talk to me about my health, and is great at answering questions. He's on Dewing Ave in Lafayette, at 925-962-0002 Happy Patient

June 2007

Re: Looking for a great East Bay OB GYN
Didn't see the origional post, but saw the recomend for Dr. Wharton and wanted to chime in that he did 2 c-sections for me and did a good job. I liked him. He just said anything on his mind. I liked it. Plus, I will be forever gratefull to him for showing me how to deal with my hernia. Some of the things he said while checking me just cracked me up! Like: ''Ethyl Kennedy had 11 c-sections the old zipper way'' and, well, lots more, not PC but, funny & reassuring. You can't even see the c-section cuts he made now & I recovered really fast. A healthy Mom with 2 healthy kids!

Feb 2007

Re: OB GYN in Berkeley or North Oakland?
I have two recommendations to make. The first does not meet your location requirements as his office is in Lafayette, but he is an excellent OB-GYN. His name is Kurt Wharton, and I saw him for both of my pregnancies in Berkeley. I should mention that I am a surgeon, so it is very difficult for me to find a physician for myself who I trust so much that I can truly be a patient with him and not second guess what he is recommending. Dr Wharton answered all my questions and I felt well cared for throughout both pregnancies. He is also now in solo practice, so he is the only physician you will see in the office. His office number is (925) 962-0002.

If you want a woman OB-GYN in Berkeley, I also recommend Amy Huibonhua. She is a young, smart woman who actually delivered my last baby (he came fast before Dr. Wharton arrived) and she is also a wonderful doctor. I have jointly cared for patients with her and respect her greatly. Her number is:(510) 204-0965.

Both Dr. Wharton and Dr. Huibonhua deliver babies at Alta Bates. They are also part of a larger on call schedule combining multiple groups of OB-GYNs, but that is something that I believe all of the OB-GYNs is the area participate in. Hope this helps. Welcome to the neighborhood Elizabeth

June 2007

I had a c-section with my first child with Dr. Wharton and I am wondering if anyone has experience with him for a VBAC? Thank you! Need help to decide

Dr Wharton handled my first pregnancy, though I delivered with Dr Sakamoto, when they were both still at Berkeley Orinda Women's Health. I had changed doctors within that practice after having a very bad experience with Dr Foley. Dr Wharton was wonderful throughout my whole pregnancy. He listened, provided sound advice, and was very respectful of my wishes to avoid prenatal testing. I never felt rushed during office visits or pushed to do something because it was the usual process. I did not have a c-section so I'm not in your situation, but I do feel you can absolutely trust Dr Wharton for high-quality, consistent care. He will absolutely respect your wishes for your second pregnancy and delivery. He is now practicing in Lafayette and does not participate in a call group so he will deliver your baby instead of whoever is on call that day. Something to consider if you don't want to be in a tug-of-war with the on-call doctor about a c-section at the hospital. anon

Aug 2006

Re: Ob-GYN in Lafayette, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek
Dr. Kurt Wharton practices in Lafayette. He started his own practice about a year ago after having been with a Berkely group for many years. He's wonderful! Extremely nice and engaging. Welcomes your questions and does not rush you through appointments. He delivered my daughter last May and it was a very positive experience. You can reach him at the following: Dr. Kurt Wharton 970 Dewing Ave. #201 Lafayette, CA 94549 (925) 962-0002

I highly recommend Dr. Kurt Wharton whose practice is in Lafayette. 925-962-0002. Office staff is great. Nurse in practice wonderful. Don't know if he's taking new patients, but it's worth a try anon

I absolutely LOVE my OBGYN, Dr. Kurt Wharton. He was one of the two original doctors with the Berkeley Orinda Women's Health practice. When that practice got too many MDs and too impersonal, he left and started his own solo practice in Lafayette. I was thrilled because I didn't like how the office was run anymore in that practice. All of his original wonderful staff and pretty much all of his patients went with him. I've been with him for 12 years now, through 2 pregnancies, a miscarriage and menopause. He has the best bedside manner ever. Dr. Kurt Wharton 970 Dewing Ave, Suite 201 Lafayette CA 94549 925-962-0002
Linda

I have to add an additional recommendation for Kurt Wharton, MD. We stayed with Dr. Wharton when his practice moved from Berkeley/Orinda to Lafayette even though it is quite a drive for us from Alameda.

Kurt is a rare doctor who is kind and engaging while also being a top notch diagnostician and surgeon. He helped us get pregnant and did a masterful emergency c-section. He takes a personal interest in your family and even tries to be present at all of his patients' births. I could not recommend him more highly! Alameda mom

March 2006

I'd go with Wharton. He's young, he's a wonderfully nice guy, a great doc, great bedside manners. -- Anon (ex ABMC L&D nurse, now in midwifery school)

March 2006

I would recommend Dr. Kurt Wharton. I have worked with him in the past and I really appreciate his caring and knowledgable attitude with both his patients and the staff. He is comfortable with patients who want less intervention and is not pushy or has his own agenda. If I was to have another child, I would be torn between using him or Dr. Bill Isenberg. An ideal practice would be the two of them! Labor/Delivery Nurse

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