John Muir Medical Group
Berkeley Parents Network >
Reviews >
Health & Medical >
John Muir Medical Group
Nov 2006
Has anyone given birth at John Muir and/or San Ramon Regional? What are the pros & cons of
each? I'm especially curious about San Ramon Regional since I haven't heard much about
them. Also, who was your OB?
Anonymous
I had a very positive experience delivering at JMMC. They have a very high level NICU
in case your baby arrives early and needs to be in the ICU. Their lactation
consultants are very knowledgeable and supportive as well. A happy delivery at JMMC
May 2005
Hi,
I've read the archives regarding birthing experiences at Alta
Bates/Summit but didn't find any for John Muir. I'd love to hear
about recent experiences there as well as the associated OB/GYN
that delivered your baby if it's a recommedation response. I'm
just getting familiar with the east bay medical practices and
would love your input.
Oh BTW, I have Blue Cross PPO if that makes a difference.
Thanks so much!
Jina :)
I had a baby at John Muir exactly one year ago after delivering
two at Alta Bates. I can honestly say that the experience was
pretty much the same. Very competent, warm friendly nurses and
staff. I must say that I am not a patient who is very picky
about medical staff and don't consider myself someone who has
to connect with caregivers. As long as I get competent care, I
am fine. With both deliveries at Alta Bates, I had a semi-
private room and had a roommate both times. At John Muir, they
only have private rooms, BUT they are TINY. There was barely
room for the bed and the baby bassinet. I had to really
maneuver to get to the bathroom door since it opened out.
Other than this, John Muir is a great place to deliver.
ARA
I had my first child at CPMC in the city and my second and
third children at John Muir. Even though I thought CPMC had to
be one of the best...in part because of the silly reason that I
was also born there, I was much happier with my experience at
John Muir. At John Muir,I had much more personalized,
individual attention from the nurses during labor and after the
babies were born. My husband and I were pretty much left to
fend for ourselves during labor at CPMC. At John Muir, I never
felt pushed into getting pain meds from the nurses--although I
did end up getting epidurals and the anestesiologists (sp?)
showed up immediately. My 2nd child needed to stay in the
hospital at John Muir for a few extra days and my ob arranged
for me to stay as well. I also felt supported by the lactation
consultants there. A really positive experience all around. My
OB is Janine Senior in Walnut Creek--highly recommend her as
well.
Happy Birth Experiences
I've said it before, but I'll say it again . . . it isn't the
hospital that matters so much in your birth experience, it is
the person you choose (midwife, ob/gyn) to care for you during
the pregnancy and birth. You must be sure that you feel aligned
with the person who will be caring for you! There's too much to
say about that here, but you need to really think about what
kind of care you want (and don't want!) and find someone who
truly will offer that (rather than just say they will and then
scare you into agreeing to interventions during the birth).
That said, I am a nurse at John Muir in the birth center, and I
can tell you that the great majority of ob/gyns (there are no
midwives) who practice there are highly interventionist:
routine episiotomies (despite recent research that does not
support the use of episiotimies), rampant inductions for mere
convenience, an epidural rate around 99%, artificial rupture of
membranes (breaking the bag of waters), and one of the highest c-
section rates in the Bay area [they say it hovers around 30%,
but I believe it to be higher]. The hospital is clean, the
staff fairly happy, there is a Level III intensive care nursery,
so those are pluses. Also, the postpartum rooms are private
(vs. shared at Alta Bates, for example), but they are quite
small. I think the postpartum nursing staff is good -- lots of
lactation support. There isn't much support for natural birth
on the labor and delivery side, though. I personally would not
want to deliver there because I wouldn't go to any of the
ob/gyns who deliever there because I wouldn't want so many
unnecessary interventions.
Anon
June 2003
We recently moved ''over the hill'' and for that and other
insurance reasons - though I tried mightily to avoid it - I've
had to change medical groups. I'm now affiliated with John
Muir Medical Group. I need to get a new Primary Care
Physician, and a new OB. The PCP doesn't worry me too much \255 I
almost never go, and have one name that should be fine. The OB
part is giving me an ulcer though. I LOVED my OB in Berkeley,
and I'm nervous that I won't find someone as good, caring,
takes the time, etc. We're planning to have another child, so
it feels pretty important to not do this randomly. Does anyone
have any recommendations, or cautionary tales? I'd prefer a
woman. On a related note, has anyone delivered at John Muir Medical
Center in Walnut Creek? How is it?
Thank you!
Heather
I didn't discover Dr.Fillmore until after my daughter was born,
but wish I had. Very friendly, direct doctor.
I delivered in John Muir & due to their equipment malfunction, I
wasn't allowed to move around, which led to pitocin, then an
early epidural & almost an unnecessary c-section. My feeling is
that they have a tendancy to escalate things too quickly, so be
prepared to argue for what you want. Having said that, the
nurses are great & it probably would have been better with a
different doctor, such as Dr. Fillmore
anon
I love John Muir Medical Center. I delivered my first at Alta
Bates and my second at John Muir. I loved the hospital and
received excellent care at both facilities. I had no
complaints and was impressed both times. As for the doctors,
I've never had experience with those on the list, nor have I
heard of friends' either. If you have the opportunity to visit
Dr. Robert Cole (he's also affiliated with John Muir), I'd go
there. He is a wonderful doctor who I cannot recommend highly
enough. He has a great bedside manner, and he is wonderful at
his job. I've recommended him to several friends who've had
similar experiences with him. Sorry to report that I don't
know the doctors on your list. I hope my experiences help.
kristin
I delivered at John Muir 16months ago & had a great
experience. Doctors: There are a few who are always
recommended- I see Stephen Wells (who has a cult following I
think, mainly for his mellow, laid back attitude.)He seems
super competent to me, and his staff is terrific. When I had
my daughter the office was always very busy- we routinely had
long waits for appointments, and three times we waited forty-
five minutes. He has also joined a larger on-call group since I
delivered, which means your chances of being delivered by
someone you've never met are high. He says his style is
compatible with the 6 other doctors'- but I was much happier
when he shared call with only two.
Another doctor that gets raves is Ryan Anderson.
erika
this page was last updated: Dec 25, 2011
The opinions and statements expressed on this website
are those of parents who subscribe to the
Berkeley Parents Network.
Please see
Disclaimer & Usage for
information about using content on this website.
Copyright © 1996-2013 Berkeley Parents Network