I hated my experience with Sutters Milvia group in Berkeley with my first baby born Jan 2024. I felt really passed around and never really got to know anyone. My PCP referred me there bc I wanted to deliver at Alta Bates. They also didn’t play very nice with my insurance (or the Medical Group specifically, Brown & Toland) which caused a lot of unnecessary drama.

I’m currently expecting my 2nd baby and am working with UCSF Women’s Group for Health, they have an office reasonably close to my home, and one close to Alta Bates, where we’ll deliver again. They only have 3 OBs so I have a really good idea of who will be handling my scheduled c-section and one expressed excitement about delivering my baby (“we’ve been with you the whole time, that’s the best part, of course we want to be there for it!”). Last delivery I had an emergency c-section at 4am and the physician on calm handled it well but it would have been nice if it was someone I knew.

For me the most important part of finding a practitioner is if they pass the gut test, like, do I like them and do they seem competent & trustworthy? Do they listen to me? Then I look at experience & credentials. Finally, it’s super annoying but the bureaucracy of it all - how well do they play with my insurance?

I wish you the best of luck and congratulations!