The gentlebirth.org website is provided courtesy of
Ronnie Falcao, LM MS, a homebirth midwife in Mountain View, CA

Go directly to Main Directory

Meet the Doulas Nights
 
 

Maternal Outreach Mood Services (MOMS)
at El Camino Hospital in Mountain View

El Camino Hospital recently became one of only two health care organizations in the country to offer inpatient treatment to expectant and recent mothers grappling with severe mood disorders related to pregnancy.  [story from the Mountain View Voice]

Tea with the Midwives in Los Gatos

Lin Lee and The Midwives are Back!  HURRAY!
Bay Area Maternity & Women's Health (BAM)
10430 South De Anza Blvd., Suite 230, Cupertino, CA 95014, 408-883-8233

BAM . . . no, they're not a new rock group.  Lin Lee used to be at El Camino Hospital in Mountain View,
and she's joining together with Maria Greulich to open a new midwife practice at El Camino Hospital Los Gatos.


This will be an ongoing, free, monthly event run by the Midwives. The first is at Los Gatos and then alternating between the Mountain View site and Los Gatos thereafter. It will always be on the 3rd Sunday of every month and we are all looking forward to seeing many new faces and several of our old friends too. So please come and welcome us back to the Community as we have missed you all very much and have lots to share!   

When - 3rd Sunday of every month, at 6.30pm - 8pm

Location - El Camino Hospital -- Los Gatos
815 Pollard Road,
Los Gatos, CA 95032

Meeting Rooms 1 and 2 - Park in the front of the hospital and walk to the left hand side of the building. Look out for the signs for the Conference rooms which will be on the left hand side.

Maps & Directions:

Registration: please contact me to confirm attendance: linlee@gmail.com
 
Maria and Lin will be there and also Dr Jim Byrne, our Medical  Director for the practice will also attend. This is a great time to ask questions, get more information about the  new practice and share a cup of tea - of course!   

Children and babies welcome.
  

Blossom Beanstalk is a resale and retail store benefiting Blossom Birth Services

In 2011, California passed laws that require that hospitals tell the public how many people get infections while in their care.

Hospital-Acquired Infections: A First-hand Account
Patient Safety
California Hospitals Adapt to Infection Rate Requirements
Patient Safety: A Hospital Advocate Perspective

Thank you! to Tiny Tots Boutique
for their great support of our local birth community!
Go Green with Tiny Tots
138 Railway Avenue, Campbell, CA 95008

New Center in Santa Cruz now Open! 

The Santa Cruz Village Birth & Family Enrichment Center in Santa Cruz opens April, 2012.
The Santa Cruz Village Birth & Family Enrichment Center is a safe and welcoming space for all families to connect and flourish at any stage along their journey. The Santa Cruz Village provides an environment to learn, share, give and receive support in a community of families. In The SC Village, no one stands alone.

149 Josephine Street, Suite A Santa Cruz, CA 95060 / 831.216.6262 / santacruzvillage@gmail.com.

Does Your OB Prohibit Doulas?
There are some OB practices that "prohibit" doulas at the birth.  Aside from the fact that this is against the Rights of Childbearing Women (#15),
you should take this as a huge red flag.  The OBs in that practice may  have noticed that women who hire doulas then transfer care to another provider because of that practice's reputation in the birthing community.

Ask the Experts Panel
This is a free monthly panel discussion for expectant parents, those planning to be parents, and those interested in the current birth climate in the Bay Area. Come listen to a Midwife, OB, Lactation Specialist and other birth professionals and ask questions.  The theme of every discussion is
Will you have a "Mother-Friendly" childbirth?

These panels alternate monthly at Blossom Birth Services in Palo Alto and

Tiny Tots Boutique (in their classroom space) 138 Railway Avenue, Campbell, CA 95008

Save these dates:
to be announced

For more information about BABI (Bay Area Birth Information) or Ask The Experts, go to www.bayareabirthinfo.org

Homebirth Lunch
Come chat with other pregnant, hoping-to-get-pregnant, and new families who are planning or had a homebirth: share info and resources, commiserate, encourage and be encouraged! Thinking about homebirth, but haven't decided yet? This group is for you, too. Free. Bring your lunch if you like. Informal and unfacilitated.
If you'd like to talk with a midwife, please phone me (Ronnie Falcao, LM MS) at 650-961-9728, and I'll try to make it.

Second Wednesday of the month at Blossom Birth in Palo Alto, Noon to 1:30
Fourth Monday of the month at Harmony Birth in Campbell, 12:30-2:00

Doula Training with Anny Hurty - Rare Opportunity!
Blossom founder, Anna Hurty, will be back in the area to teach occasional doula classes at Blossom.

The midwives at El Camino Hospital Los Gatos host a Yahoo Group: SVPregnancySupport (Silicon Valley Pregnancy Support Group)
We are here to discuss pregnancy, labor & delivery, postpartum and parenting issues specifically for women in the Bay Area.

New for 2010!  Childbirth Prep Program at Blossom in Palo Alto
Our newly revamped Childbirth Prep series builds on the educational elements we have found to be most effective in achieving a positive birth experience.  Our three new classes join our successful Bradley Method, Birthing From Within, and Hypnobirthing Series to give you six options to prepare for your baby’s birth!

Blossom has also started a Blossom Blog, updated about once per week with community updates.

---

 

Bay Area Maternity Services from calhospitalcompare.org

Check out the c-section rates, VBAC policies and breastfeeding rates for local hospitals.
[NOTE - I was skeptical of the actual numbers here, and Henci Goer confirmed my suspicions that there's something fishy about them:
These statistics are not the overall cesarean rate as anyone would think but the rate in women with term,  cephalic,
singleton pregnancies. Ditto for the VBAC rate."]

California Cesarean Rates by Hospital, 2010
These are absolute or total rates.

Was your experience of childbirth WONDERFUL or DIFFICULT?

Our local birth resource centers often have support groups for telling your birth stories.

Sad News about El Camino Hospital's Childbirth Education Program

A while ago, El Camino Hospital stopped offering classes taught by independent childbirth educators.
Instead, the classes are being taught by Labor and Delivery nurses, with an eye to preparing birthing women
how to be good patients, i.e. to get an IV, epidural and to be prepared for the pitocin that almost always
accompanies an epidural.  Apparently, the classes will not include much about relaxation, breathing and
positioning techniques, or anything else that would help a woman to minimize unnecessary interventions.
[These types of classes are sometimes referred to as "obedience classes", because they teach more about
how to be obedient patients than about the process of childbirth itself or how women can be
active participants in their births or advocates for themselves or their babies.]
To learn more about why this isn't in your interests or your baby's interests, you can read about
the harmful effects of epidurals and the possible correlation between epidurals/pitocin and autism.

There are some birth activism groups organizing in the Bay Area:

Contact Shelley Campbell
(415) 451-1973

NEW RESEARCH

Homebirth is safer than hospital birth
for healthy women with a normal pregnancy says
new Canadian study, comparing midwives at home and in hospital and hospital OBs

Summary of the study

The study itself - abstract - full text

Additional homebirth safety references
 

NEW LOCAL RESOURCES

How to File a Complaint About Bad Care at a Birth
 

In-home visits for lactation consulting provided by an experienced midwife.
 

In June, 2005, Mountain View Fire Stations were included as "Safe Haven" sites where anyone may leave a new baby in safe hands without fear.  The Safely Surrendered Baby Law gives a parent the legal right to surrender a baby within three days of birth.  Parents who choose this option have 14 days to change their minds and retrieve their baby before the infant is placed in the foster care system or a pre-adoptive home.  All hospital emergency rooms are also "Safe Haven" sites. [Ley Como Entregar a Su Bebe Sin Peligro - Folleto - sin pena, sin culpe, sin nombres]

Other Local or Nearby Resource Lists

An extensive Provider List from Blossom Birth Services, including information about Acupuncture, Baby Care Products, Baby Nurse, Baby Sign Language, Bellycasting, Bereavement Services, Birth Announcements, Birth and Pregnancy Supplies, Birth Tub Rentals, Blessingway Ceremonies, Breastfeeding Assistance, Breastfeeding Classes, Cesarean Support, Children's Clothes, Childbirth Prep - Public, Childbirth Prep - Private, Child Care Referral, Child Care Services, Chiropractors, Classes, Coach, Counseling, CPR/Safety Classes, Craniosacral Therapy, Diaper Bags, Diaper Service, Doula Education, Doula/Labor Support, Doula/Postpartum, Emergency Services, Exercise Class, Fertility, Genetic Counseling, Herbalists, Homebirth, Holistic Health Providers, Holistic Pediatrics, Homeopathic Medicine, Hospital Tours, Hypnotherapists, Infant Bedding, Infant Massage, Insurance, Kid's Preowned Clothing and Equipment, Kinesiology, Massage, Meditation, Midwives, Midwives/Postpartum and Well Baby Care, Myofascial Therapy, Mothers Groups and Parent Clubs, Naturopathic Medicine, Night Nurses/Doulas, Nutrition, Ob/Gyn, Occupational Therapy, Osteopath, Pediatrician, Photography, Physical Therapy, Pilates, Portrait Art, Postpatum Depression , Premature Birth Support, Professional Women Support, Psychologists/Counselors, Registered Nurse, Resource Centers, Spa Services, Twins Support, Waterbirth.

Bay Area Naturally - holistic and earth-friendly businesses

Resource information from bayarea.UrbanBaby.com

Natural Resources - a pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting center in San Francisco

The Maternal Wellness Center in San Francisco is located at 606 Carpenter Lane, at the corner of Greene Street near the High Point Cafe.....to schedule a massage (on the belly table!) or for any questions please call 215 713 2666. They also sponsor New Moms Groups.

Day One - the center for new and expectant parents, 3490 California Street, Suite 203, San Francisco, California 94118

Pregnancy, Birth & Parenting Resources in Southern Alameda County

Birth Network of Santa Cruz

BirthWays - a birth resource center in Berkeley/Oakland; also offers a beautifully decorated space available for classes and other events. 510-869-2797, email: contact@birthways.org

UCB Parents Network - Recommendations for Medical and Dental Providers in the Berkeley area

The only thing really happening in the East Bay right now is the The East Bay Doula Circle.

The Birth Network - Birthing information and resources for Santa Cruz County.

The Red Tent in Los Gatos has closed its doors.  Alas.  It was great while it lasted!

Please e-mail me with additional suggestions for this page.  Thanks.
 

Local Birth Resource Centers

Blossom Birth Services (650-321-2326) also maintains their own extensive resource list.

Harmony Birth Resources is a birth resource center for the South Bay!  Directors Jennifer Penick and Kristin Milner Evans,
621 East Campbell Avenue, Suite 14, in Campbell (next to the Campbell Inn, between the Pruneyard and Historic Downtown Campbell).
They offer yoga and movement classes as well as classes relating to conception, pregnancy, childbirth, and early parenting.

Day One - the center for new and expectant parents, new location in Palo Alto at Town and Country Village.

Dolphin Yoga & Doula Center in San Mateo

East Bay Birth Circle - Pregnancy, Birth & Parenting Resources in Fremont - This web site is the first step in developing a birth resource center in Fremont, California. For now, the site will be a compilation of resources available to families in Fremont and the surrounding cities of Hayward, Union City, Newark, Castro Valley, San Lorenzo, and San Leandro.



The Santa Cruz Village Birth & Family Enrichment Center in Santa Cruz opens April, 2012.

Insurance Coverage for In-Home Postpartum Care

Payment for Alternative Birth Services

Birth Centers

Sanctuary for Birth and Wellness will be a free-standing birth and wellness center in the San Jose (California) area dedicated to expanding women's options regarding childbirth beyond either birthing at home or in hospital. As a non-profit, we will serve families of all socio-economic backgrounds with birth, wellness, and educational services.

Sage Femme Midwifery Service and Education Center, 154 A Capp Street, San Francisco, CA  94110, 415-552-6600, 415-552-6680 director, Judith Loebensteen-Tinkelenberg, RN, CNM, CCE, Email: sagefemmemidwifery@yahoo.com [Note - In November, 2011, this birth center is closed.]

The Sacred Birth Place is owned and operated by Sacred Birth Angels, Selena Green and Nariman Nasser.
2800 Park Boulveard, Oakland, CA 94610, 510-836-1506, Email: info@sacredbirthplace.com

The Birth Home in Pleasanton - closed as of Aug. 31, 2005 due to difficulty securing midwifery coverage.

You could also look at Birth Centers Online: www.BirthCenters.org - a joint project of the NACC Foundation and the National Association of Childbearing.Centers.

Another place to look is the list of licensed facilities, including hospitals and birth centers - Names and Addresses of California Health Facilities

If you're looking for information about the Birth Place in Menlo Park, it opened in 1979 and closed in 1994.

The Marin Birth Center in San Rafael is also closed, but you can contact me if you're trying to get in touch with some of the midwives who practiced there.
 

Birthing Tubs and Waterbirth

Sunshine Tomlin - birth tub rentals - deliveries to South Bay and Santa Cruz area

Heather & Steve's AquaDoula rental, San Francisco.  $200.  Email us at sfaquadoula4rent@gmail.com.

BABI - Bay Area Birth Information - Use the pull-down menu for "Birth / Labor Tubs"

Natural Resourcesin San Francisco rents Waterbirth tubs, 415 550-2611, 1367 Valencia St., San Francisco, CA 94110, info@naturalresources-sf.com

Erin Brown - (415)488-1028 - Three birth tubs for rent.

Esther Antonelli Schmidt - East Bay - (510) 725-5456 - Three AquaDoulas for rent at $250. www.Breathe-Esther.org, midwifery@breathe-esther.org

BirthWays, Berkeley, rents a Spa-In-The-Box.

Birth Tub Rentals - Spa-N-A-Box rented out of El Cerrito for $200.00, from 38th-42nd week.  Contact Mariaelena Robles Quale, 510-760-7549, eastbaydoula@gmail.com

The Nurture Center in Lafayette offers AquaDoula Water Birth Tub Rental - 925-283-1346

Molly Sullivan, 510 710-7166

Internal Wisdom – Aqua Doula Tub, Kari Tinker, 650-359-9056, kariseligman@hotmail.com

Gentle Birth Tubs - Spa-N-A-Box tub rentals within a 40 mile drive of Tracy, California.  This typically includes San Joaquin County and parts of Alameda, Contra Costa, and Stanislaus Counties.  If you are outside of this area, please contact me as I may be able to deliver to you for an additional fee.

Judy Shalev, 510-763-9362, Oakland - "Rent a Portable Birth Tub - Labor in Warm Soothing Water"

150 gallon hard-sided Rubbermaid tub w/lid, hose, faucet attachment, instructions - $50 rental if you pick up the tub from downtown San Jose; the tub fits in a truck, van or SUV, or will deliver for $50 more.  Contact Rick & Angie Schertle, 408-279-0307, 408-314-3588, schertle@yahoo.com

. . . or you can rent from national organizations.

There's an odd phenomenon happening on the Peninsula.  We're hearing increasing rumors about birthing tubs in hospitals; obviously, the public is requesting them, and we'll see whether the hospitals actually ever install them and allow women to labor and birth in them.

I'm going to record the state of rumors and reality here, as reported to me: [Or you can read fuller reports]

Hot off the Press! as of July, 2005 - Sequoia Hospital (Redwood City) - I heard a first-hand report from a woman who arranged to leave her AquaDoula tub at Sequoia hospital, and they set it up in her room when she was in early labor, and it was waiting for her, ready to use, when se got there.  Wow!  What a wonderful option!  Fingers crossed that this is a sign of progressive times to come.  [Note - the permanently installed beautiful birthing tub there is reported to have been dismantled.]

El Camino Hospital Los Gatos - Some of the staff tell women they can bring their own labor/birthing tubs into the hospital, and others say no.  If this is important to you, get it in writing!

El Camino Hospital (Mountain View) - As reported to me - phone conversation with the Director of Maternal/ Child ? (Services?), Barbara Petree (phone 650-940-7161). They have small tubs in 9 out of 10 rooms, but no, they don't allow portable tubs.  (Something that she didn't mention is that like most hospitals, El Camino doesn't really have good hot water coming into most of the labor rooms, so even if you are laboring in a room with a tub and are cleared to use it for a half hour at a time, the water may not be warm enough to allow you to relax in it.  Someday . . .)

Stanford University Hospital (Palo Alto) - The only rumors I've heard are that Stanford has no interest in having women labor or birth in tubs..  In fact, they don't seem to have any tubs at all in the L&D rooms, not even basic bathtubs.

Mills Peninsula Hospital (Burlingame?) - As reported to me - they have a single portable tub on wheels (AquaDoula? 4' wide, about 3' deep?) that takes a while to fill. Can be used with ROM and pit if continuous telemetry unit available (only EFM that is 'waterproof').  Only water labor is officially allowed, not water birth, although some babies have come more quickly than the mom could get out of the water.  It's possible that these tubs are no longer available, since the midwifery program was dissolved on May 1, 2006, "due to the medical legal climate currently surrounding healthcare."

It used to be that the closest facility that truly offered waterbirth was the The Birth Home in Pleasanton, which closed Aug. 31, 2005.  However, there are rumors that it's possible to have a waterbirth at Sequoia Hospital.  There are also rumors about the Sutter Birth Center in Santa Cruz.  (As an aside, although this is called a Birth Center, it is not a free-standing birth center - it is really attached to a surgical center where cesareans are done.)  The only planned/confirmed waterbirths happening on the Peninsula are happening in private homes.  If having a waterbirth is important to you, make sure the midwife actively supports waterbirth; some encourage laboring in a birth tub but want you to get out of the tub for the birth. Some local midwives rent out or provide tubs for laboring or waterbirth.
 

TENS Rentals

Felissa Hay, 408-781-2182, felissa@yourbirthdoula.com, $75 with delivery and 20% off if you come pick it up and drop it off yourself. Also, 10% off for people with the El Camino-Los Gatos midwives?

Vaness Pisias, 408.202.8369, vanessathedoula@yahoo.com, contact web page

Megumi Burr-Tolliver, contact web page from becoming-a-mama.com

Deana Harris, 650-648-3198, mydouladeana.com, mydouladeana@yahoo.com

Stacy Hattori, trivalleydoula.com,  925-413-6328, $70 for 4 weeks, postage included.  Will meet with mommas and teach them how to use it.

California  Home Medical Equipment, 1166 Triton Drive, Suite 600, Foster City, CA 94404, 1800-906-0626.

Apria, 3905 Bohannon Dr, Menlo Park, CA, 1-650-330-2420

TENS rentals out of Mountain View.  Ronnie Falcao provides these as a last resort for people who can't find them anywhere else.
 

VBAC - Vaginal Birth After Cesarean

Read about our local chapter of ICAN - International Cesarean Awareness Network

Krystal Long, is facilitating VBAC Support Circles in Santa Cruz & Campbell ; she maintains a list of VBAC providers she can forward to you.  831.216.6262

The midwives at MGH: Prima Midwives of Marin are offering VBAC services with approximately an 80% success rate!  They've been doing VBACs for the past 18 years or so.  Although it's a long drive from the South Bay, labors that start naturally do tend to start at night when traffic is light.  VBAC labors tend to be at least 3-4 hours, at least for a mom who's having a first vaginal birth, so there's likely to be time to get up there.  The logistics of being further from home and an older child are complicated, but if you can't find any other good VBAC support, this might still be a good option.

UCSF seems to be very supportive of VBAC and is even closer than Marin!

For the latest information on local practitioners who support VBAC, join the icansanjose Yahoo Group for our local chapter. They have a great resource file of local VBAC practitioners in their "Files" section.  Or send e-mail to icansanjose-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Your doctor will likely scare the bejesus out of you and especially out of your husband! regarding uterine rupture.  For a little grounding in reality, read about the relative risks of uterine rupture, especially this stellar statistical analysis.  In particular, it points out that "You're 6 times more likely to have a doctor who is an impostor than you are to suffer a rupture."

Here's the situation - Cesarean surgery leaves a scar in the uterus.  There is a VERY small chance that this scar might re-open under the stress of a subsequent pregnancy or labor.  This chance is so small that doctors don't even think to mention it the first time they suggest a cesarean.  If the uterine scar does start to open during a subsequent pregnancy or labor, and if it takes a long time for the healthcare providers to notice this problem, then it can become life threatening to the mother and baby.  This might necessitate a true emergency cesarean, i.e. one done in about five minutes.  So, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that the laboring woman's obstetrician remain very close by in order to be available for this emergency surgery, should it become necessary. Well, this situation isn't very appealing to obstetricians, who typically spend less than an hour at a birth and aren't going to be enthusiastic about spending the 12-18 hours it might take for a VBAC.  Plus, there is an increased liability risk to the obstetrician and the hospital.  So . . . their solution is to prohibit VBACs, even though cesarean surgery creates a higher risk for the mother and creates other risks for the baby.

This is a lose-lose situation for mother and baby.

If you're as appalled and outraged as I am, I encourage you to learn more about VBAC, become a member of  ICAN (The International Cesarean Awareness Network, Inc), educate yourself about the ways that intelligent management of VBAC labor can prevent and ameliorate rare uterine ruptures, and become activist in supporting birthing women's choices in general before all your choices are taken away from you.

From the web pages of the Consortium for the Evidence-based practice of Obstetrics - ending "Flat Earth Obstetrics":

Defensive medicine rules the day. This creates an asymmetrical burden of risk that falls unfairly on the childbearing woman, in which the mother is exposed to the actual pain and potential harm of medical and surgical interventions in order to reduce the risk of litigation for the obstetrician

Here is the state of local rumors about VBAC policy - please e-mail me more information.

[When you think you've found a midwife or OB and hospital that will "allow" you to give birth by VBAC, be sure to ask them how VBACs are treated differently from low-risk births and what is their VBAC rate among women who want to have a VBAC.]

Best hospitals for a VBAC:
Valley Med is the largest VBAC center in California, with over 250 a year as of 2010.  They are dedicated to providing excellent care, and as a county facility, they have an obligation to shepherd the county's healthcare dollars and not waste them on unnecessary c-sections.  You can check to see if there's an OB/GYN with privileges at Valley Med who's covered by your healthcare plan.
and
Kaiser facilities with midwives on staff are your best bet for a system that supports VBAC.  Kaiser loses money if you have a repeat c-section, whereas other hospitals make more money if you have a repeat c-section.  As they say in the movies . . . follow the money! [NOTE - I've heard some negative things about Kaiser San Jose regarding VBAC support, even though they are mostly staffed by midwives.  I've heard that Kaiser Santa Clara is actually much better as of 2011.]

Hospitals that have sometimes not allowed VBACs at all:

El Camino Hospital recently received a letter from their malpractice insurance provider that they cannot do VBACs after July 1, 2004, even if the doctor stays in house.  (01/08 - I've heard mixed versions of this policy, and that Drs.Sahai, Raman and Raj are still attending VBACs?)  As of July, 2009, I heard that Drs. Christine Litwin-Sanguinetti and Dr. Katherine Sutherland are attending VBACs at El Camino.  They charge extra for the additional time they're required to stay at the hospital.  I applaud them for taking this reasonable approach.  They get paid well for their time, the insurance company still ends up paying less for the birth, and the mom gets her VBAC!!!

Dec./Jan., 2009, in a letter from Kenneth D. Graham, CEO of El Camino Hospital to Suzanne Andrews of our local ICAN chapter:

"VBAC is allowed at El Camino Hospital.  The medical staff of the OB department established the monitoring requirement for women in active labor attempting a VBAC.  Community standards and medical organization standards were reviewed when setting El Camino Hospital's policy.  Safety of mother and baby is our utmost concern...We are confident in the services we provide...Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention."

As most of you probably know, the problem is the monitoring requirements.  Just to make sure everyone is aware, let me explain:  As I understand it, an OB is required to be present in the hospital the entire time a VBAC mom is laboring.  This is an onerous requirement for OBs because of their patient load and the way their practice is set up.  We are blessed to have wonderful, supportive docs in our community such as Dr. Weber who want to support women, but each time they take a VBAC client, it is likely to require a great deal of their own personal time.  This monitoring requirement is currently nearly universal, and does come from community standards and medical organizations (like ACOG and insurance companies, I believe).  In our letters, we encouraged El Camino to consider hiring an OB hospitalist, which is an OB who stays on-site and covers the monitoring requirement for the other OBs.  El Camino currently does not have such a staff person, although I know Lin and Olga have been working on that for quite awhile.  [Editor's NOTE - it is clearly in the insurance company's best interests for the mom to have a VBAC rather than a repeat cesarean . . . it reduces the postpartum hospitalization from 4 days to 2 days, which saves the insurance company about $5000 to $10000.  Why are the insurance companies not figuring out a way to pay OBs for their extra time?!?]

As far as I can tell, docs are taking VBAC clients on a case-by-case basis.  This understandable, given the system they work within.
 

Hospitals that require the doctor in attendance the entire time - most doctors don't have the time for labor sitting, so it's going to be hard to have a VBAC at one of these hospitals:
Good Samaritan Hospital has hospitalists so they always have an obstetrician in the house; this makes it easier for the OBs to offer VBAC there.

Hospitals that do not have this restrictive policy:
El Camino Hospital Los Gatos - I haven't heard their new policy since the re-org.

Midwives and OBs who are still attending VBAC:

Cedar midwives are doing VBACs at Good Sam with hospitalization back up (7/12)

Dr. Kendrick at Good Sam, 408-356-8681

Dr. Teagle at El Camino Hospital Los Gatos has *made* it her practice to remain at the hospital, purely on her own initiative, which shows an extraordinary support of VBAC. (checked 4/06), although you'll want to ask her for a thorough explanation of her VBAC policies.

Jennie Cato OB at Kaiser (Santa Clara?), 408-871-6409

The Obstetrix Medical Group at Good Sam, 408-356-8681.  They are a high risk center though, but since it's for a VBAC, they will meet with the patient to see if they are candidates to see if they will see them or not.

Dr. Kathryn Mercer  at Stanford Hospital  (03/08?), previously known as Dr. Kathryn Matthews

Dr. Deborah Shapiro at Mills Peninsula

The Hoffs at Sequoia Hospital (checked 4/06)

Dr. Debra Matityahu, working with midwife Teri Westerlund at Sequoia Hospital (checked 5/07).

VBAC is also still available at the following practices:
Midwife Carrie Holschuh at Mills/Peninsula (practices with the group w/Dr. Barbara Canida and Dr. Dyer)

[As of Feb., 2008, I'm getting reports that Dr. Pollard has stopped doing VBACs.] Dr. Angela Pollard, 408-370-3100 at El Camino Hospital Los Gatos does VBACs, and she is open to using hypnobirthing and acupuncture during L&D. She is also totally fine with doulas, and she now has a midwife (Bethany) in her office.
For women further North, UCSF is still doing VBAC's as of May, 2005.

For women in the Berkeley area, the Berkeley Parents Network has a resource list: ObGyn for a VBAC

You can look up the Hospital Safety Score of your local hospitals.

As of April, 2006, the only Bay Area hospital that is a designated Baby-Friendly facility is Kaiser Hayward.  Check to see if the hospital you're considering has been added to the list of Baby-Friendly Hospitals and Birth Centers.

To receive The Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS) designation as "baby-friendly," a hospital, birth center, or home birth service must fulfill UNICEF's Ten Steps of Baby-Friendly Care.  You can also read their The Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative. You can see how the United States compares worldwide in its compliance with these recommendations.

If you want to get a sense of how committed a hospital is to supporting women's birthing choices, ask about their policy regarding their interfacing with homebirthing families:

• Do they allow families planning homebirth also to receive concurrent obstetric care if they choose?
• Do they allow access to their laboratory facilities and diagnostic procedures?
• Do they support physicians who actively support homebirth midwives and families?
• Do they censure physicians who treat homebirth transports punitively?
• Do they work with their local homebirth community to facilitate the smoothest possible transports during labor?

Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, 751 S. Bascom Avenue, San Jose, California 95128, 408/885-5000. If you want to have a birth experience where your and your choices are respected and the interventions are appropriately limited and evidence-based, then Valley Med is a great choice for you.  Their c-section rate is very low, and the doctors and nurses are exceptionally respectful. Valley Medical Center is the only hospital in the County with an open door policy that guarantees access to needed medical care, regardless of ability to pay, i.e. this is a county hospital.  The Labor and Delivery personnel are committed to providing the finest family-centered care in a respectful manner.  They are also dedicated to minimizing unnecessary interventions because it is safer and wiser, and it also helps the County to keep their expenses down.  (It's painful to think that some hospitals are happy with higher rates of intervention because they make more money that way.)  Since Valley Med is affiliated with nearby Stanford University School of Medicine, and with nursing schools, they also offer some very sophisticated services.  In a somewhat surprising turn of events, this is also the place where many people with private insurance will get the best possible care.  Basically, the staff here doesn't have an attitude that they know what's best for you . . . thus, Valley Med has become the preferred hospital for transport of local homebirth midwives.  The Valley Med staff provide us and our clients with a respectful welcome and terrific care.  I've seen the staff provide more sympathetic and more supportive care here than at most other hospitals.  And they will go to the wall to prevent a c-section.  Thus their c-section rate is consistently around 15-16%, despite serving a population with a suboptimal health history. Valley Med rocks!  [Note - since they are often very pleased to have paying customers, they may be tempted to keep a slightly jaundiced baby a little longer than otherwise.]  Valley Med is also the largest VBAC center in California, with over 250 a year.  That's amazing.  Plus, they never do routine episiotomies. THANK YOU, Valley Med! [NOTE - I mostly see the Labor and Delivery floor and rarely see the Maternity and Newborn areas.  I have heard not great things about them: spartan accommodations, sometimes 4 to a room, and not much help with breastfeeding.  It's tough sometimes to balance the value of avoiding a c-section with having a pampered postpartum recovery in the hospital.  Another option is to go home as soon as possible and arrange for a midwife to come to your home to provide more personalized recovery care for mother and baby, along with lactation consulting.  They are usually available evenings and weekends if you contact them before the birth.  Some will even do the Newborn Screen at home so you don't have to stay in the hospital waiting for this procedure.]

Sequoia Hospital has a long-standing record of supporting women's choices and progressive birth practices.  I consider them THE BEST place to have a baby on the Peninsula.

• They have default rooming-in, meaning that healthy mothers and babies are kept together in the mother's room; all routine newborn care is provided right there in the mother's room, which is a superior environment for bonding and breastfeeding.  It also reduces infection risks and trauma for the baby.
• Nursing staff that provides care for families both before and after the birth, so the nurses who help you in labor may also be the ones to help you with breastfeeding and recovery in the following days.  They clearly strive to support alternative choices, and they provide excellent care with a level of respect and compassion that borders on the saintly.
• Supporting bonding and breastfeeding through LDRM rooms (Labor/Delivery/Recovery/Maternity).  Once you check in for labor, you usually stay in the same room for your entire stay there so that the whole family doesn't have to be transported and haul all their stuff from the birth room to the maternity room and so that every new family has a private room and the partner can stay with the new mom and baby!
• Last, but certainly not least, they are known for providing respectful reception and highest-quality care to women who choose hospital birth after receiving prenatal care from an out-of-hospital provider.  No care provider likes to take responsibility for a laboring woman who received prenatal care from a practice other than their own, different set of protocols, but Sequoia Hospital providers seem able to rise above this to provide the best possible care to every laboring woman.  We are lucky to have them in our community!

El Camino Hospital Los Gatos is surging ahead with the new midwife practice.  Lin Lee is joining Maria Greulich.  This promises to be an exceptionally progressive practice, supporting choices for women, gentle births and breastfeeding for babies while providing evidence-based care.

Every hospital has a unique environment in Labor & Delivery. Some focus on providing the most aggressive treatment possible, others focus on providing an environment where the family can enjoy their baby's once-in-a-lifetime birth bonding hormones and get to know each other as a family before routine procedures are performed on the baby.  Here are some of the features of our local hospitals.

Maternal Child Health Center at El Camino Hospital - The Hospital of Silicon Valley - UPDATE, Aug., 2011.  I had such a positive experience at El Camino this month.  I finally believe that they are truly trying to be mother, baby and breastfeeding friendly.  THANK YOU!  THANK YOU! to all the great people who have spearheaded this terrific change.  FINALLY! As of Mar. 2008, El Camino Hospital appears to be changing their outdated practices of routinely separating mothers and babies several times a time.  I am told by a reliable source that they are now only separating mothers and babies TWICE a day!  This is a big improvement!  I've also heard that they are relaxing their policy about bathing babies an hour after the birth and are instead allowing parents to request that they follow the World Health Organization recommendations to wait at least six hours after the birth.  And I've heard that everyone gets a private room after the birth?  Definitely ask about this one; they still have separate rooms for the birth and for "maternity", i.e. after the birth.  There are some fabulous OB's here, and the nurses are truly Angels of Mercy and top notch, and I've been privileged to attend some magical births here, but the nursery policy is destructive to the developing breastfeeding relationship. (As an example of how terrific the nurses here are, I heard that some of them are leaving the baby on the mom's belly even when giving some supplemental oxygen; this allows the cord to be left intact, which is usually the best source of oxygen for the first few minutes right after the birth and the best resuscitation of all!)

There is an official paper now that the parents sign that offer them 3 choices for the night: - rooming in, baby in the nursery, bring in for breastfeeding on demand or baby in the nursery bottle-fed. Parents can change their mind at any time, but there is a document that explains them their choices. It is not true that the light needs to be on that one person needs to be up or any of that. But it's still a good idea for families to bring their own night light just in case. The morning exam is still mostly done in the nursery as most pediatricians want it that way, but a wonderful family physician Dr. Midori Nishimura, who is also a lactation consultant, comes to the rooms to check on the babies since she knows that's best for breastfeeding babies.

There are rumors that the nursery nurses are very free with the bottles of glucose water, even with babies who are breastfeeding.  And, perhaps worst of all, I've heard that parents are being threatened with being reported to Child Protective Services if they don't comply with the hospital policy to inject all newborns with vitamin K and the Hepatitis B vaccine. I find this hard to believe, so be sure to ask about this explicitly.  [NOTE - I've been getting feedback from moms who've birthed at El Camino who generally agreed that the Labor & Delivery nurses are great, but they were *VERY* unhappy with the default separation of mother and baby three.  I have heard that changes are happening so that if parents REALLY insist on staying with the baby, the mom can even go to the nursery in a wheelchair right after the birth with the baby.  Let's hope that El Camino Hospital continues to upgrade their policies to be completely supportive of breastfeeding by keeping moms and babies together!

Stanford Hospital/Lucile Packard Children's Hospitals - Our Local Teaching Hospital - This is definitely the place to go if your baby is very premature or you're having a very high-risk pregnancy.  Unfortunately, the staff sometimes has difficulty distinguishing between these very high-risk cases and the normal births which make up the majority, although I've seen some real positive change in the last few years.  There are also stories about babies being intubated many times so residents can get experience with the procedure; this is less likely to happen to you if you are older and have private insurance.  There are also stories about the very aggressive legal stance that hospital personnel have taken against families who make their own healthcare choices.  As horrible as this sounds, women have been threatened with court orders to force them to have a cesarean rather than proceed with a normal VBAC labor.  I've heard numerous stories about families being threatened with investigations by Child Protective Services if they don't accept all recommended treatments, and I know of at least one case where a baby was vaccinated against the parents' express wishes.  I've heard other stories about the hospital staff threatening to call the parents' insurance company and telling them not to pay their claims if they don't follow staff recommendations, and I've heard people say that Stanford is quick to take punitive action in order to "teach people a lesson".

Kaiser - Kaiser's a bit of a puzzle.  In general, HMOs get a bad name because they try to limit the procedures performed on their subscribers.  It happens that this improves outcomes in maternity care.  AND . . . their approach is very consistent with midwifery care, so various Kaiser hospitals have midwives on staff.  You'll need to check about the Kaiser nearest you, but there have been midwives at the Kaiser in Redwood City and Santa Teresa.  The best hospital birth I ever witnessed was at Kaiser/Redwood City with a midwife who truly attended the birth, instead of managing the birth.  The lights were dim, the midwife and nurse were respectfully quiet, and they had all the time in the world for this first-time mom to birth her baby gently over an intact perineum.  Regardless of where you live, if you're a Kaiser subscriber planning a normal birth, you may want to arrange to use one of the Kaiser hospitals that provides midwifery care, although I also had a very positive experience with the resident program at Kaiser/Santa Clara.  I have also heard stories about Kaiser "med-wives" who manage a birth beyond all recognition, so there are no guarantees of a gentle birth according to your wishes.  Kaiser in Oakland did some of the earliest studies about the benefits of doula care for laboring women, but then they dropped the ball and didn't follow through by providing universal doula care.  One of the most wonderful things about the Kaiser system is that they seem to be happy for women to plan to labor at home for a long time or plan homebirths, because it saves them money.  I have had terrific transports into Kaiser/Redwood City, Kaiser/Santa Teresa and Kaiser/Santa Clara.  The reason that there are no specific midwives' or doctors' names associated with Kaiser is that Kaiser subscribers do not get a choice as to who their birth attendant will be; Kaiser staff work shifts, so you'll get whoever is on duty when you need care.  I have heard that some people have been able to choose their prenatal provider, but it's very unlikely that they'll be at your birth; my limited understanding of how Kaiser works is that some providers work only in the offices, and some providers work only in the hospital actually attending births; it's much more efficient that way, and Kaiser is all about efficiency.

Washington Hospital, Fremont.  I personally won't go there anymore.  Reports from the front lines are that even in 2010, almost all of the staff at Washington Hospital have a lack of respect for midwives, doulas, and women who want to reduce interventions.  There are even some horrific reports of nurses forcing women to submit to vaginal exams even as the woman is yelling at them to stop.  Go there at your own peril.
 
 

VAGINAL BREECH BIRTHS are still happening in the Bay Area.

[If you have private insurance that doesn't cover any providers who attend a vaginal breech birth, you can request a "gap exception" so that another provider (outside th network who does breeches) will be covered at in-network rates.  Your plan description should provide details, or you can contact customer service for the insurance company.  You might remind them that a vaginal birth will save them two days of hospitalization for mother and baby so will actually save them a lot of money.  In an emergency situation (and every birth is considered an emergency situation), your insurance is required to cover care provided by out-of-network.]

As of August, 2012:

1. UCSF:   The FOG group   415-353-2566
     ***must consent to an epidural for delivery
     ***must consent to a CAT scan, etc to evaluate pelvis
     ***must be in OR & lots of spectators
     ***2 hrs max to push baby out no matter how close to delivery
     ***only a few docs and not full coverage for breech vag
     ***birth in OR

2. UC Davis   530-750-5880
      ***BEST CHOICE - more coverage w 3 docs who want to do breech and midwives are available
      ***must call to be approved which includes wt of baby, etc, but do not insist on an epidural
      ***birth in OR
      ***tubs available for labor only

3. San Francisco General Hospital  415-206-8725
The word is that Dr. Juan Vargas and his team have a lot of breech experience and are skilled and enthusiastic.  If a woman in labor is seeking this service they prefer that she call before arriving to ensure they have a skilled doctor available.  Dr. Juan Vargas is the head of the program.
Some reports are that they can offer 24/7 vaginal breech as the team grows and are willing to care for women with a breech babies who might be seen there for the first time when already in labor.
Because SF General is a county hospital, they accept Medical & also serve those without insurance and/or funds to pay.
Epidurals are recommended but not required

As of April, 2012, I've heard that Andy Combs at Obstetrix in Los Gatos is doing breeches.

As of Oct., 2010, I hear that UCSF is training OBs to do vaginal breeches.

San Francisco General Hospital - 415-202-2000, L&D?415-206-8000

Dr Stephen Wells at John Muir in Walnut Creek and a hospital in San Ramon?

Judy Bliss at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center in Martinez, near Concord???

Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose, as of Sept., 2000?

Dr. Davis Baldwin at Stanford Hospital?  Apparently he used to, but retired Jan., 2006?

Or you can go to Davis - contact Sutter West Women's Health
You must be a good candidate (frank or complete breech, EFW < 8 pounds)
and willing to do CT pelvimetry.  They don't require you to have an
epidural in place, and you may be able to labor in a big tub.

Renaissance Midwifery in Oakland is a resource for women wanting to learn more about breech options.
 

See also: Twins Support on the Blossom Provider list

You  might try Jan Rydfors, MD, the Hoffsand Lori Bluvas at Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City.

Dr. Angela Pollard

Dr. Martin Silverman

Possibly Dr. Narisse Kendrick (Women's Care For Life)

I know Dr Duncan in Los Gatos will always allow the twins if baby #1 is vertex to do vaginal, csect is done if baby#1 is breech-

Ken Weber and Anjali Sahai at Altos Oaks Medical Group are great and will attempt a vaginal birth as long as the first twin as vertex.

Laurie Green, MD and other OBs at California Pacific Medial Center (CPMC) in San Francisco.

Laura Norrell, MC at St. Luke's in San Francisco.

There is much evidence that clamping or cutting the umbilical cord too soon is harmful; it may even cause brain damage.
The following care providers have educated themselves on this issue and are practicing evidence-based midwifery or medicine.

• Homebirth midwives typically delay clamping/cutting the cord until the baby is obviously breathing well and has established the blood volume intended by nature.  Many prefer to wait until after the placenta is delivered, as this shortens the waiting time and reduces blood loss. [Maisels, 1992.]
• Many hospital midwives are also well educated about the benefits of avoiding premature clamping/cutting of the umbilical cord.  In particular, the midwives at El Camino Hospital Los Gatos are likely to be practicing evidence/based medicine/midwifery in this respect.
• Mary Kilkenny, MD, FACOG, (Good Samaritan Hospital and El Camino Hospital Los Gatos) 476 East Campbell Ave., Campbell CA 95008, 408-378-1888.  Dr. Kilkenny has a level of compassion for her clients that is truly extraordinary in the healthcare field.  She also has nice small hands and a gentle touch.
• Beverly Joyce, MD, FACOG, Sequoia Hospital (Redwood City), Women's Care Medical Group, (650) 366-5594.  Dr. Joyce has the presence of an angel at a birth.  She is open to delaying the cutting of the cord for a few minutes if the baby doesn't need immediate care.

It's always bothered me that the typical umbilical cord clamps are rigid and relatively large and firmly attached to the baby for at least the first day of life.  What fun is it for a baby to be belly-to-belly with mom when there's this nasty clamp sticking into the tummy?  I've seen babies who weren't latching on well because the clamp was pinching, twisting, pulling or poking some part of their body.  That's not the easiest way to get breastfeeding off to a good start!

Fortunately, there's an easy solution to this problem . . . the Averbach Cord Bander, invented by Dr. Louis Averbach; it leaves only a tiny rubber band securely "clamping" baby's umbilical cord.  It's a bonus that they're environmentally more responsible as the disposable rubber band is very tiny compared to the bulky plastic disposable clamps.  (Those reusable, metal clamps were most reusable of all, but they are no longer available, and they were still very poky to new babies!  A newer type of cord band, the Sterifeed Cord Ring, costs only $1.50 and doesn't require a special instrument.  Cord tie is also soft and flexible, but may come off as the cord dries and shrinks; this isn't really a problem but can be troubling to new parents.)

• Ronnie Falcao, LM MS, 650-961-9728, e-mail, offers the Averbach Cord Bander or cord tie
• Renee Anker, LM  offers the Averbach Cord Bander
• Rosanna Davis, LM CPM offers the Averbach Cord Bander
• Yelena Kolodji, CNM uses cord tie, also called cord tape

Alternatively, you can purchase and provide your own Sterifeed Cord Ring or single-use packets of cord tape.

Please e-mail me with names and contact information for more birth attendants for this section.  Thank you.
 
 

Planned Parenthood has a number of local clinics that offer affordable prenatal care.  "Medi-Cal eligible women are welcome to participate in our prenatal program.  As part of the Comprehensive Perinatal Services Program (CPSP), we provide high quality prenatal medical care as well as nutrition, health education, and psychosocial services to improve your pregnancy and birth outcome.  We address the full needs of our clients in a culturally competent manner, respecting our clients’ values, beliefs, and traditions. Delivery options vary by site but typically we partner with local physicians who deliver our clients’ babies in state of the art hospitals in the region.  In some cases, our clients transfer to the doctor’s office for their last few prenatal visits."

If you, a family member, or friend was tricked or lied to by a Crisis Pregnancy Center, there is an easy way for you to file a consumer protection complaint to help document the harmful practices of these clinics.

Community Pregnancy Centers of Santa Clara County - Christian-based crisis pregnancy services are free and confidential.
Mountain View: 2425 California St., 650-964-8093
South San Jose: 408-978-9310
East San Jose: 408-272-5577

Real Options does not refer for or perform abortions.  Their services are free and confidential.  They offer Pregnancy Tests, Options Counseling, Pregnancy Confirmation (including ultrasound to help date the pregnancy) and screening for Sexually Transmitted Infections.  They have locations in Mountain View and San Jose.

Access for Infants and Mothers (AIM) - 800-433-2611 - low cost health insurance to pregnant women and their infants who are not eligible for no-cost Medi-Cal or health insurance.  You can apply for this program up to 30 weeks of pregnancy.

Coalition for Alcohol & Drug-Free Pregnancies (CADFP), Patti-Ann Bossert, LCSW, coordinator, 3190 S. Bascom Ave., Ste. 180, San Jose, CA  95124, 408-380-1215, pbossert-lcsw@comcast.net

County Hospitals sometimes have an "Ability to Pay" program, where you can get low-cost bloodwork (or ultrasounds if necessary?) done.  Start with Valley Med first.

The Phoenix Data Center is a not-for-profit organization that maintains an index of all free and low income services offered throughout Santa Clara County and neighboring communities."

In June, 2005, Mountain View Fire Stations were included as "Safe Haven" sites where anyone may leave a new baby in safe hands without fear.  The Safely Surrendered Baby Law gives a parent the legal right to surrender a baby within three days of birth.  Parents who choose this option have 14 days to change their minds and retrieve their baby before the infant is placed in the foster care system or a pre-adoptive home.  All hospital emergency rooms are also "Safe Haven" sites. [Ley Como Entregar a Su Bebe Sin Peligro - Folleto - sin pena, sin culpe, sin nombres]
 
 

There are some good basic questions to ask any birth attendant that you're interviewing:  What is the likelihood that they will be present at your birth if it's in the middle of the night on the weekend?  How long are they at a typical birth?  How many people do they share call with?  What is their induction policy for postdates - induce at the due date? one week later? two weeks later?  What are their attitudes towards working with doulas - will they write a recommendation for a doula that you can use to get insurance reimbursement?  Do they do episiotomies?  What is their tear/suture rate?  Do they wait a minute or two before cutting the cord?  These are just some of the things that seem to be most important to the women who find this web page.

There are lots of other questions and lists of questions at "For Parents - How to Get the Best Care"

One key question to ask any physician who works as a birth attendant is whether they have ever worked with midwives.  These physicians are likely to have picked up some midwifery culture so that they have more options for a non-progressive labor than suggesting either a cesarean or vacuum.  Hospitals with midwives on staff will likely have a culture that is more geared towards normal birth.  The nurses and pediatricians will have attended births with midwives as birth attendants, and they're more likely to be accustomed to the practices of leaving the baby on the mother's belly and delaying non-emergency procedures for an hour or so after the birth.  For some odd reason, many physicians seem to think that women don't care whether or not their perineum tears and they end up with sutures that make breastfeeding uncomfortable.  But midwifery culture includes sharing information about preventing or minimizing tearing.  Doctors who hang out with midwives often learn these valuable skills from them.  According to the World Health Organization, midwives should be the preferred medical caregiver for low-risk pregnant women, reserving OB-GYN's for high-risk pregnancies or emergency birth complications only.  If a hospital has no midwives with hospital privileges, it's worth asking why; many hospitals will simply say that no midwives have applied for privileges there. What they're not telling you is that midwives can't apply unless they have a "supervising physician".  So the real question is, "Why haven't any physicians at this hospital recruited midwife partners?"  If there are no midwives around, it's also possible that there's a level of misogyny at the hospital that makes it a hostile environment for midwives.  Well, an environment that's hostile to midwives is likely to be hostile to birthing women, too. Does the hospital you're planning to use have any midwives?  [Read more about the Technocratic Model of Birth vs. Holistic Model of Birth.]

If you want to get a sense of how committed a care provider is to supporting women's birthing choices, find out what they know about homebirth and about their experiences interacting with homebirthing families:

• What do they know about homebirth safety?  If they still believe the obstetric dogma that hospital birth is always safer than homebirth, help them educate themselves.
• Do they offer concurrent obstetric care to families planning homebirth?
• Do they offer consulting appointments to homebirth families who need access to their laboratory facilities and diagnostic procedures?
• Have they been available to provide their highest standard of care to women transporting to the hospital from a homebirth labor?
• Are they open to meeting with their local homebirth community to facilitate the smoothest possible transports during labor?

In order to find out whether this care provider actively persecutes homebirth families and their midwives, ask them:

• Have they ever filed a complaint against a homebirth provider?
• Did they file a complaint against a homebirth midwife for not having physician supervision while at the same time refusing to serve as a physician supervisor?
• Do they have any shame about this hypocrisy?

Physicians who go out of their way to obstruct women's pursuing their choice as to where and with whom to give birth are acting out of either ignorance or arrogance.  Neither of these is a particularly desirable trait in a birth attendant.  What about yours?
 

Hospital Midwives

If you're hoping to have a hospital birth that is as close to a homebirth as possible, then you'll want to have a midwife as your birth attendant.  Our local hospital-based midwives are doing their best to provide care that allows a birth experience that has some of the most important aspects of homebirth: reverence, respect, dignity, caring.  You'll still probably benefit from having a doula, and you'll still need to take precautions about hospital germs.

These midwives practice as part of an obstetric group.  It is important to understand that all midwives working under the supervision of an obstetrician are constrained to work under the same protocols as the supervising obstetrician.  There are serious problems inherent in a system where one class of birth attendants is given power over a competing group of birth attendants; unfortunately, efforts to change "Supervision" to "Collaboration" through legislation in 1996 (SB255) were defeated by opposition from the California Medical Association.

I have heard rave reviews about all of the following midwives!

Lin Lee, CNM, Maria Greulich, CNM  (El Camino Hospital Los Gatos) 408-883-8233.  They maintain a pregnancy support group for their clients and for any women interested in their practice--SVPregnancySupport (Silicon Valley Pregnancy Support Group).

Kavita Noble, CNM, Amy Meier, CNM, and Kay Smolley, CNM (also speaks Spanish) (O'Connor Hospital and Good Sam). Kit Aldrich works with them part time. They are in practice with Mary Margaret O'Neill, MD.  408-287-4441 (NOTE - I've been told that Melanie Jordan, CNM, has moved to Kaiser - Santa Teresa.)  The midwives at Cedar OBGYN are taking clients with Medi Cal under SCFHP. Clients should choose the Independent physicians group. They have an informational " Meet the Midwives " meeting on the 1st Tuesday of each month from 6-7pm at their office at 200 W Campbell Ave, Campbell CA 95008

Melissa C. French, CNM, N.P., Women Caring for Women is still attending births at Mill Peninsula Hospital as of April, 2013.  1720 El Camino Real #120, Burlingame, California, 650-697-8808.  Their "birth center" is really a hospital.

Looking for the Stanford Midwives or the Stanford Midwifery Services? It was closed as of 1/1/04 - Midwifery Service at Stanford (Stanford Hospital) (650) 723-7451, 725 Welch Road, Palo Alto, CA  94304. What to do?  Well, you wouldn't be the first woman to choose homebirth after discovering that the Stanford Midwifery Services is no longer an option.  :-)

Looking for the midwife practice who used to be with Peninsula Women's Health at Mills Peninsula Hospital?- Jan Blanchard, WHNP, C.N.M., Carrie Holschuh, C.N.M., M.S.N., and Mary Newberry, C.N.M., M.S.N.are no longer attending births there since the midwifery program was dissolved on May 1, 2006, "due to the medical legal climate currently surrounding healthcare."

More info on midwives from bayarea.UrbanBaby.com

Midwives Providing Prenatal Care in Obstetric Practices

These midwives work with obstetric practices and may be the best midwifery option open to women with serious pregnancy complications requiring hospitalization for the birth.

Michele A. D. Gonzales, CNM (Obstetrix Medical Group, providing prenatal care in conjunction with high-risk OBs) Los Gatos, 408-356-1883

Family Practice Doctors

DrScore is a web site that collects and displays ratings of doctors.  You can contribute your ratings or read others' ratings.

As of Sept. 3, 2011, there are no  midwives who attend hospital births in the South Peninsula.  Lin Lee has joined with Maria Greulich to form a new midwifery practice at El Camino Hospital Los Gatos.  Family Practice Doctors are a wonderful alternative where midwives aren't available.  Typically, family practice docs don't perform obstetric surgery, so they are very motivated to help you avoid a cesarean.  In addition, they generally make a commitment to be the physician attending your birth, instead of turning your care over to an on-call doctor. 10430 South De Anza Blvd., Suite 230, Cupertino, CA 95014, 408-883-8233

Becky L. Wallin, M.D., (Good Sam and El Camino Hospital Los Gatos) 2242 Camden Avenue,  #200, San Jose, California 95124, 408-626-7110 - family practice doc providing OB and family care.

As of Feb., 2008, I have heard that doctors from the Stanford Family Practice Group are no longer providing OB care.  This is such a loss: their scope of practice was basically the midwifery scope of practice, and they were exceptional among MDs for avoiding unnecessary interventions.  Alas.  Thank you to all of the docs who provided OB care for so many years!

Exceptional Obstetricians who support Natural Childbirth, i.e. Drug-Free Childbirth

Updated May, 2012 - Best local OBs recommended by doula concensus:

Angela M. Pollard (mixed reviews)
Anjali S. Tate
Nadine Graven
Michelle Pham
Narisse Kendrick
Ken Weber
Martin Silverman
Jan Rydfors
Sastri Sukdeo
Karen Shin
Jennie Cato
Joanna Stark
Gary Hoff
JD Hoff
Takeshi Innouya
Mary Margaret O'Neill (mostly high-risk and midwife backup)

VBAC Referrals, prefaced with an encouragement for each Momma to ask a ton of questions, since each Doc has their own set of VBAC "rules" or guidelines that may or may not fit, but in general, these docs are supportive of VBAC.  (some more so than others):

Dr. Jennifer Cato
Dr. Narisse Kendrick
Dr. Jan Rydfors
Dr. Kathryn Mercer
Dr. Alexandra Klikoff (She is in Aptos...a bit far, but worth the drive if need be)
Dr. Mary Margaret O'Neill, and Kavita and Kay of course, I dont have any experience with Amber or Milan (I have heard that she is not doing VBACs anymore though, can anyone confirm?)
Dr. Anita Sit
Dr. Carolyn Cruz
Dr. Linda Teagle
Kaiser (will induce routinely, support VBA2C)

**************************************************************************************************************

These doctors have demonstrated their support of women's birthing education and support by participating in panels sponsored by BABI.
Dr. Ruth Ann Crystal
Dr. Jan Rydfors
Dr. Ken Weber

DrScore is a web site that collects and displays ratings of doctors.  You can contribute your ratings or read others' ratings.

I have attended births with all of these obstetricians and can personally vouch that they temper the pressures of modern obstetric practice with a deep respect for birthing women and their babies.  All of them have extended themselves personally, sometimes putting themselves at risk of peer censure, in order to provide a better experience for a birthing family. Their names belong on the Midwifery Path of the Righteous.

Dr. Belton may have stopped attending births, but he was a shining light, and we should not forget that.  Stephen R. Belton, MD, 2504 Samaritan Drive, Ste. 10, San Jose, CA  95124  [7/02 - I received a report that Dr. Belton doesn't support VBACs.]  (Good Sam and El Camino Hospital Los Gatos) 408-356-9171

Carol Merryfield, MD  2900 Whipple Ave., Redwood City, 650-298-0990 - Dr. Merryfield is truly dedicated to supporting women's birthing choices and is a strong supporter of gentle birth and breastfeeding.  [She works with a midwife, Nancy Smee, CNM.  This information may be obsolete.]

Kimberly Harney, MD, 300 Pasteur Dr, Palo Alto, CA 94304, 650-498-4069 (Stanford Hospital)  (Dr. Harney is a real gem - very few women make it through a male-dominated medical training program without having to be more macho than the men.  Dr. Harney is truly dedicated to supporting women's birthing choices and is a strong supporter of gentle birth and breastfeeding.  She may not be attending births at this time.)

Gery Hoff, MD, and J.D. Hoff, MD with the Redwood City Women’s Health branch of Palo Alto Medical Foundation.  (Sequoia Hospital) 650-366-4633. This practice has previously had a very long history of supporting women's choices. It's not yet known how their new affiliation with PAMF affects their flexibility in supporting women's choices.  The Hoffs now share their branch of the practice with Julianne O'Callahan and Marian Kim

Jan T. Rydfors, M.D is a wonderful advocate of women's choices and evidence-based obstetrics.  He also knows how to catch a baby when the woman is squatting!  801 Brewster Ave, Redwood City, CA 94063, 650-365-9997

Ken Weber, MD, Altos Oaks Medical Group, 2485 Hospital Dr., #330, Mountain View, CA  94040  (El Camino Hospital) 650-988-7470.  Dr. Weber is relatively young and gives me hope for a new generation of obstetricians who respect women's choices and the importance of an intimate family birth experience.  It appears that he also has excellent OB skills but doesn't let that interfere with an outstanding "bedside manner". 

Other Obstetricians who support Natural Childbirth - Group Practice

The sad reality of obstetric practice in the early 2000's is that the workload is so high and the work so demanding that doctors typically band together in group practices and share call.  This means that even if you find a doctor who is ideal for you, there's only a small chance that they will be the doctor at your birth, unless you are induced or scheduled for a cesarean.  So it's important to find a group practice where all the doctors support natural childbirth.  There used to be such a group with privileges at Stanford, but feedback about recent staffing changes has been less than positive.

There are still some outstanding OBs in group practice, and you may be able to negotiate for them to be on call for your birth:

James W. McCarrick III, M.D., Ph.D, Women's Health Medical Group in Portola Valley:  3250 Alpine Road, Portola Valley, CA  94028  (Stanford) 650-851-6550

I'm hearing a lot of really good things about a new doctor, Dr. Martin Silverman at Los Olivos.  He's reported to be very considerate of his patients.

Other Obstetricians who support Natural Childbirth - Solo Practice

Dr. Narisse Kendrick, Women's Care for Life, 14651 South Bascom Ave., Suite 110, Los Gatos, CA  95032, 408-356-8681 - Dr. Kendrick passes the "Don Creevy" test, i.e. she's in solo practice so is almost certain to be the one attending your birth instead of a random on-call doctor, she truly supports evidence-based practice, and she is actually fine with the physiological progress of labor.  I thought I had died and gone to heaven when I was a doula for a woman who had hired Dr. Kendrick.  There was no IV, the woman pushed in a variety of standing and squatting positions, including the use of the birth stool!, and the doctor did not clamp the cord until it stopped pulsing.  Ahhhhhhhhh!  Oh! did I mention that she was actually sitting on the floor while the woman was pushing on the birth stool?  That's when I first realized that she was a candidate for passing the "Don Creevy" test, and she did not disappoint me!  Thank you, Dr. Kendrick!  You give me hope for the possibility of drug-free birth in the hospital, and you give women hope of birthing in dignity!

Kathryn Matthews, MD (Stanford Medical Center, possibly Sequoia Hospital), 1101 Welch Rd., Suite A7, Palo Alto, 650-328-5141.  Dr. Matthews is very respectful in her interactions with doulas, and I've seen her work wonders in avoiding a cesarean.
 

Exceptional Obstetricians who support Women's Rights to Decent Medical Care

These obstetricians have stepped into the role of Good Samaritan for homebirth transports and performed an outstanding job of putting aside their own prejudices about homebirth in the interest of providing the best possible care to the family.  This is a very different role from providing standard OB care, so this information may not be a good indication of what a standard patient/OB relationship with them would be like.

Julianna O'Callahan, MD, (Sequoia Hospital) , 2900 Whipple Avenue, Redwood City, CA  94062  650-366-5594.  Dr. O'Callahan was very respectful of the birthing family and was helpful in providing the interventions they wanted.  She was also helpful in keeping baby with mom as much as possible.

Jan Segnitz, MD (Good Sam), 2504 Samaritan Dr, San Jose, CA 95124 (408) 356-5252.  Dr. Segnitz has a very good sense of appropriate technology, and he also displays a profound respect for the newborn as an individual.

Richard H. Sieve, MD (Good Samand El Camino Hospital Los Gatos), Obstetrics & Gynecology, 5150 Graves Ave Suite 11B San Jose, CA 95129, (408) 255-7077.  Dr. Sieve has an impressive array of obstetric skills, which I've seen put to good use in the service of birthing women.
 

Obstetricians who Ban Doulas

I cannot believe I have to add this section.  I have heard rumors from multiple reliable sources that the Palo Alto Medical Foundation's "main campus" OB group does not allow their patients to bring doulas with them into the birth room : Christie Coleman, Nicole Hong, Dennis Siegler,
Elizabeth Swenson, Bryan Thom, and Cynthia Woo. This is a violation of The Rights of Childbearing Women, which states, "Every woman has the right to have family members and friends of her choice present during all aspects of her maternity care."  There is an addendum that "The legal system would probably uphold those rights".  Anybody looking for a good legal battle?

Here's some feedback from a local doula who has worked with clients who continued care at the PAMF main campus, and others who switched:

"The concern about staying with her group of doctors is not about this one policy, whether it can be "gotten around" or not.  This policy is a clear way your client can know that the group of doctors does not support her choices and rights.  It is the most visible indicator before the labor that she has to go on regarding how she will be treated in this process, and what the doctors believe her role is versus their role.

"Some of the PAMF Main Campus docs don't mind doulas, but it is the group policy, so aside from the over-all respect issue of how the doctors view their role in the decision process, if your client were to get one of the staunchest opponents of doulas as the one on-call, it could seriously negatively impact her experience, just on the doula issue alone, and CERTAINLY her degree of support in labor, which is why she sought you out.

"It can be VERY easy for her to switch to PAMF Portola Valley campus, or Los Altos, if that is closer to her, and every student or client I know who has done this (even up until 36 weeks) has been thrilled and relieved instantly, with their first visit with the Portola Valley docs, and wondered why it ever seemed like more trouble to switch than to stay with unsupportive caregivers."

Gynecologists

He's retired now, but Dr. Creevy deserves to have this testimonial online in perpetuity: Don Creevy, MD (Stanford Medical Center) 650-851-3146 - I am leaving in this old text from days of yore because as far as I know there is no other obstetrician about whom I can say these things, and it would just be too painful to delete these words forever.  I'm saving them here until another doctor appears to be available to women who won't settle for anything less than the best.  "Dr. Creevy is in solo practice, so it's almost certain that he'll be the one actually attending your birth, instead of a random on-call doctor.  He was one of the physicians affiliated with the Birth Place in Menlo Park, before it closed in 1994, and is still a strong supporter of natural childbirth.  Yes!  He knows  how to catch a baby with a woman in a standing or squatting position!  [Unfortunately, Dr. Creevy may be restricting his practice to office practice as of summer, 2001.  This means he won't be attending any more births after that.  Big Sigh.]" - FLASH!!! There is a local obstetrician who finally passes the "Don Creevy" test - Dr. Narisse Kendrick, Women's Care for Life

Diagnostic Ultrasound

Lance Robert Dursi, RDMS AART CRT - http://lrdscan.com/index.html
Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
15899 Los Gatos Almaden Road, Suite 6, Los Gatos, CA  95032  (408)356-0004 or (800)LRD-SCAN
"Quality, Affordable Obstetric Ultrasound"
Now offering 3-D Ultrasound!
 

Holistic Pediatricians

Sabina Sonneman, MD, is a great choice for parents wanting the expertise of a pediatrician who encourages non-pharmaceutical treatments when appropriate.  Holistic Pediatrics, 950 Woodside Road, Suite 6, Redwood City, CA  94061.  415-269-7115 e-mail: info@sabinacare.com
Dr. Sonneman is not "in network" for any insurance plans, but PPOs should still cover her services - you may end up paying some of her fees out of pocket, but the care she provides is "priceless" and worth every penny!

Jelena V Vukicevic, MD, Welch Road Pediatrics, 1101 Welch Rd Ste A1, Palo Alto, CA 94304-1904.  650-329-0300 - offers a blend of medical/alternative approaches.

Elisa H. Song, MD, 1601 El Camino Real, Suite 101, Belmont, CA  94002, 650-595-5437
Her practice integrates conventional pediatrics with holistic nutrition, herbs, homeopathy, and Traditional Chinese Medicine.  She offers well-child visits as well as urgent care and consultations. Whole Child Wellness - holistic pediatrics for your child's body, mind, & spirit -  info@wholechildwellness.com  I've heard rumors that Dr. Song makes oral vitamin K available to her clients.
As of May, 2012, Dr. Song is not accepting new patients, but the other doctors in her practice are.  Other healthcare professionals say that Dr Donna Ruiz is also wonderful for a variety of issues.

It appears that Dr. Sandy Newmark is no longer with Whole Child Wellness.  He is now the head of the Pediatric Integrative Neurodevelopmental Clinic at the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco.  He has written and presented about ADHD and ADD and is also happy to see children with other chronic conditions such as gastrointestinal, allergic, and autoimmune issues.

IN-NETWORK PROVIDERS: Looking for an ideal healthcare provider for your child who is "in network" with your insurance company?  It's unlikely that you're going to find someone who is in network and will also take the time to provide the best possible healthcare for your child, including answering your many questions about vaccinations. The problem is basically this:  Doctors are only accepted into insurance networks if they effectively agree to limit the amount of time they spend with patients to below the industry average.  In-network care is essentially assembly-line care, and many of the best doctors simply won't agree to practice in this way. Thinking this through, the "quick and easy" remedy for a lot of simple childhood problems is to throw pharmaceuticals at the problem, rather than to investigate the cause or try less drastic measures first.  And their limited amount of time also doesn't allow them to talk with you about your immunization options; the quick thing is for the nurse simply to give your child the injection.  It's easy to get stuck in a way of thinking that your health insurance SHOULD cover ideal care in network, so you're going to accept the care that is covered in network and hope that it's ideal.

Pediatricians and other Doctors who truly support a parent's right to decline vaccination for their children

NOTE - Even if you're told that a practice is "closed" (i.e. not accepting new patients), most pediatricians and family practice doctors accept newborns and siblings of existing patients.

Please also note that a practice may change their vaccination policy somewhat abruptly so these reports aren't necessarily accurate anymore.  You might want to get clear about this on the phone before making an appointment.

Whether or not you're planning to be selective about vaccination, it is worth asking about a doctor's attitude towards selective vaccination. Some doctors refuse to provide care for children who won't be fully vaccinated, which may be a sign that they do not generally enjoy working with parents who ask a lot of questions about their child's care.  (In a truly mind-boggling example of self-contradiction, you sometimes hear these doctors say that they won't provide care for non-vaccinated children because they're concerned that they will be a risk to their vaccinated patients.  Hmmmm, do they really think the vaccinations work to protect those vaccinated patients, or don't they?)

NOTE - Pediatrician's refusal to treat unvaccinated kids: Legal and ethical ramifications by Alan Phillips, J.D.

Lisa Walsh, DC , Vitality Chiropractic Center, now located at 2100 Carlmont Dr., Suite #3, Belmont, CA, offers a monthly educational program about childhood vaccinations.   650-342-4623 - a top-tier choice for slow and no vax families.

Dr. Angela Lee of Valley Health Center Sunnyvale, the Sunnyvale Clinic of the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (Valley Med) supports extended vaccination and seems OK with flexible immunization values.  I believe they accept Medi-Cal.

Dr. Neema Malhotra in Milpitas.  408-945-0300

Slow & No Vax Moms - a Yahoo group for Mom's in Palo Alto (and the surrounding areas) that are considering delayed/selective, or not vaccinating their kids due to health, philosophical, or ethical reasons.  They have files of no-vax friendly physicians and alternative practitioners. Also there is a list of hard-core pro-vax physicians who don't honor parental wishes (or that are anti-breastfeeding and other things like that).

Sabina Sonneman, MD, Redwood City - a top-tier choice for slow and no vax families.

Elisa H. Song, MD, Belmont

Patricia Reber-Weltz, DO, Los Altos - a top-tier choice for slow and no vax families.

Laura Woodrow, 4161 El Camino Way, Ste. B Palo Alto, CA 94306, 650-681-4422.  She has a special interest and expertise in helping women during pregnancy and postpartum and their new babies. Dr. Woodrow opened a new practice around 2013; I have heard that for a limited time, the first visit for new mothers and newborns is free of charge.

The doctors in the Stanford Family Practice Group are generally very supportive of well-educated family choices, which often include selective or no vaccination.  Check with them for details.  650-723-6963

Dr. David Resneck-Sannes, Family Practice doc, Physicians Medical Group of Santa Cruz County, 5403 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, CA 95066, does home visits for newborns. 831-438-5222 [NOTE - As of July, 2011, I've heard that they're not accepting any new patients, but it never hurts to ask!]

Richard Lee, MD, Hometown Healthcare, is in private practice (09/05) - 605 Cowper, Palo Alto, 650-289-0110 - Family Medicine - (formerly part of the Stanford Family Practice Group).  He is willing to make house calls under certain circumstances. [Apr., 2008 - rumor has it that Dr. Lee's practice is now structured as "boutique medicine" where you pay an $1,800 annual fee to be his patient, and then he takes insurance for the additional fees for appointments.]

Dr. Andrew Brothers in Camino Medical Group - J. Andrew Brothers, M.D., 401 Old San Francisco Road, Sunnyvale, California 94086, (408) 730-4262

Dr. Allan S. Marks, Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, 801 Brewster Ave., Suite 250, Redwood City, CA  94063, 650-368-8583

Genevieve S. Ashcom, MD has moved to Kaiser.

Dr. Molly Rad (El Camino Hospital), 2660 Solace Place, Suite B, Mountain View, (650) 864-0000, allpediatrics@yahoo.com

Deborah Olenev, CCH RSHOM, Homeopathy for Health, 59 Paul Avenue, Mountain View, CA  94041, 650-569-6219  Olenev@att.net

Frederick Lloyd, MD, at Palo Alto Medical Foundation 650-853-2992 - one of the most beloved of pediatricians - truly supportive of informed parents who are selective about their child's medical care.  His practice is technically closed, but they may still be accepting newborns.

We thought Dr. Linda Strain would work out for us, but we actually question her support of breastfeeding; you should, too!

Dr. Lloyd Brown in Los Altos.  I've had conflicting reports about how flexible he is on vaccination issues.  Some parents report that he is respectful of their decision but will state his opinion firmly and bring it up again at followup visits.  Other parents report that they felt lectured in an unsupportive way, bordering on disrespectful of their role as parents.  He is reported to have said that tdap is totally protective against pertussis and that the local children who are getting it are all unvaccinated.  Hmmmmm, this is just hearsay, so please take it as such.

Midori Nishimura, MD - After 8 years at Stanford Family Medicine, Dr. Midori Nishimura has decided to open her own clinic in Mountain View on July 16th, 2007.  She is looking forward to serving the community.  1704 Miramonte Avenue, Suite 3, Mountain View, CA 94040, 650-988-1800.  Parents report that she follows the CDC schedule but is okay with the Dr Sears schedule.


Dr. Aarti Nasta is currently practicing with Dr. Rydfors and Dr. Schuftan; she is open to a modified immunization schedule.

Dr. Joshua Parker of Foster City Pediatrics is more than happy to go with a modified immunization schedule, is extremely gentle and the office in general is responsive with weekend hours and other practitioners on duty to take care of after-hours issues.

I've heard very good reports about Jay Jernick, M.D. and Evaleen Jones, M.D..  I'm not sure about their policies about selective vaccination, but it's worth your while to make inquiries of all the Stanford Family Medicine physicians. 211 Quarry Rd., Palo Alto, CA  650-723-6963

I also hear good things about Dr. Irene Lin, 650-254-5200, a family practice doc at Palo Alto Medical Foundation's Los Altos site on Distel Circle.

Dr. Peter C. Contini was formerly thought to be supportive of a parent's right to make healthcare choices for their child, but as of March, 2009, I hear that his practice is only open to children who are vaccinated according to the AAP-recommended schedule.

James Cisco, MD - Menlo Medical Clinic (Stanford Hospital) 650-498-6620

Michael Taymor, MD, 145 N California Ave.,, Palo Alto) - 650-321-7722. I've heard lots of good things about Dr. Taymor from a number of different people. It seems that he practices evidence-based medicine, which is much more likely to eliminate having unnecessary procedures performed on your baby.  However, I have also heard complaints from parents that Dr. Taymor is not as gentle with their babies as they'd like.

Erika Schillinger, MD, Stanford Family Medicine, 211 Quarry Rd, Ste N329, Palo Alto, CA  650-723-6963

Dr. Stuart Pearlman is open to selective or delayed vaccination, and possibly non-vaccination. (408) 866-7830 320 Dardinelli Ln., # 16, Los Gatos

Paul Protter, MD, 201 Old San Francisco Rd., Sunnyale, 94086, 408-730-4251

Lori Kandel, MD, 201 Old San Francisco Rd., Sunnyale, 94086, 408-730-4251

Veronica Heredia, MD, 251 O'Connor Drive, Suite 2, San Jose, 95128, 408-289-8410.  She is also fluent in Spanish.

Patricia Samson, MD (El Camino Hospital), Camino Medical Group, 877 West Fremont Ave, Bldg N, Sunnyvale, CA, 94087, 650-934-7956 - very supportive of exclusive breastfeeding, but I hear good things about her, and some parents prefer to take their baby to a non-teaching hospital to minimize procedures.

[Jamie Wallach, M.D. is no longer providing routine pediatric care; she's specializing in pediatric obesity now. 2577 Samaritan Dr.  #830, San Jose, CA   94125, 408-356-1319]

Meenakshi Bhargava, Classical Homeopath, Ph.D.  Dip-NIH  BHMS CCH, HealthQuest, 15750 Winchester Blvd, Suite 206, Los Gatos, CA 95030, 408-884 1992 e-mail: meena@homeopathicdoctor.net

Bill Gray, M.D., Classical Homeopathy, 14567 Big Basin Way Suite #B6, Saratoga, CA 95070, (408) 868-0330

Margaret De Villiers, MD, Care First Pediatrics (Good Sam), 812 Pollard Road, Suite #1, Los Gatos, CA 95032, 408-374-1212, accepts non-vaxed or selective vaxed children..

Dr. Marina Yam, 825 Pollard Road, Los Gatos. Her web pages say she practices Integrative Pediatrics.

Dr. Neema Malhotra in Milpitas.  408-945-0300

Michael Triantos, M.D., and Belinda Milford, M.D., 15000 Los Gatos Blvd., Suite 2, Los Gatos, CA  408-358-2624

John D. Melnychuk, RSHom (NA), CCH, Palo Alto Center for Homeopathy

Randall Neustaedter OMD, LAc, Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Board Certified Acupuncturist, functions as a primary care provider for infants and children of all ages. His practice focuses on natural health care, including homeopathy and Chinese medicine, and well-baby visits beginning after birth. 18 years on the Peninsula.  Contact Dr. Neustaedter about availability for giving talks about natural health care for children for mothers groups or other parenting groups.  See his web site - Cure-guide.com  for articles about kids' health.
Classical Medicine Center, 1779 Woodside Rd #201C, Redwood City, CA 94061, 650 299-9170  e-mail: randalln@concentric.net
(Dr. Neustaedter is the author of The Vaccine Guide : Making an Informed Choice, "which helps parents to feel confident about their vaccination decisions".  This book is available online through Laurie's Bookstore, which has a very nice list of conscious parenting books. He is also currently working on Child Health Guide, a book that provides parents with instructions and all the advice they need to raise children with natural forms of medical treatment and lifestyle choices. )  I have heard that Dr. Neustaedter carries vitamin K drops that his clients can get from him.

Adrienne Souders, MD, 1515 Trousdale Drive, Burlingame, CA  94010, 650-259-1680.  I hear mixed reports about Dr. Souders' attitude.

Marvin Masada, MD, 1569 Lexann Ave, Ste 128, San Jose, 95148, 408-274-1654 - Family practice.

Dr. Erica Weirich in Los Altos.  She is part of Palo Alto Medical Foundation.

Becky L. Wallin, M.D., 2242 Camden Avenue,  #200, San Jose, California  95124 - family practice doc providing OB and family care.

Pediatric Alternatives - An Integrative Medical Practice and Education Center, 10 Thomas Drive, Mill Valley, CA  94941, 415-380-8448.  Lindy Woodard, MD, Board Certified Pediatrician and Homeopath and Stacia Lansman, MD, Board Certified Pediatrician and Herbalist.  These two are quite far from Silicon Valley, but alternative pediatricians are so few and far between that we need to spread the word as much as possible.

Dr. Jeff Gill has closed his private practice.

Attachment Parenting International (API) is starting a Listing of Medical Associates

Holistic Pediatric Association - The HPA is committed to supporting parents who seek a healing model of health care, helping parents reduce the use of ineffective and harmful drug treatments, and empowering parents to build healthy bodies and spirits in their children.  Find a practitioner in your area by searching our Health Professional Directory.

[I would like to add more names to this list.  Please e-mail me the names of practitioners who have truly provided informed consent about vaccines, who truly support a parent's right to decline vaccination or to choose some vaccines while declining others.  Thank you.]

Dr. Dave Trager, 2420 Samaritan Drive, San Jose, CA, 408-371-7777  - he is very supportive of alternative and holistic health care, and I've heard mixed reviews of his support for slow or no vax.  The most recent one was that he is supportive.

Keith Fabisiak, MD,  Kaiser  Permanente, 220 Hacienda Ave, Campbell, CA  408-871-9440
 

Not So Sure About These - These care providers were once listed as being supportive of no or slow vaccination, but I've gotten feedback that their office staff, at least, says they're not.

Jaundice Resources

Apria Services, San Jose Branch, (408) 383-4400  2040 Corporate Ct, San Jose, California 95131-1753 - rents out phototherapy systems, cabinets, blankets or wraps for babies with jaundice

Cathy D Angell is a neonatologist at O'Connor who respects parents' choices. 751 S Bascom Ave, San Jose, CA  (408) 885-5420
 

Midwives, Pediatricians and Doctors Who Make Home Visits for Newborns [some duplicate names from above]

Midwives are trained and licensed to provide care for newborns, and some homebirth midwives will also offer in-home followup care for babies born in the hospital.

Sabina Sonneman, MD in Redwood City

Midori Nishimura, MD - After 8 years at Stanford Family Medicine, Dr. Midori Nishimura has decided to open her own clinic in Mountain View on July 16th, 2007.  She is looking forward to serving the community.  1704 Miramonte Avenue, Suite 3, Mountain View, CA 94040, 650-988-1800

Patricia Reber-Weltz, DO, Los Altos - Patricia is an excellent choice for my clients who are looking for someone "like me" who has longer appointments and answers all your questions.

Waldemar (Wally) Wenner, MD, Pediatrics - Development Disabilities - 2039 Forest Ave., Suite 204 B, San Jose, CA 95128, 408-297-9949. The only new patients accepted into Dr. Wenner's practice are newborns. Sign up early!  These days Dr. Wenner seems more enthusiastic about vaccinations than previously.

Rekha Manghnani, MD, Pediatrics - 2039 Forest Ave., Suite 204 B, San Jose, CA 95128, 408-297-9949
 

Homeopathy

Chiropractics - the Webster technique is the specific chiropractic technique for turning breech babies

Acupuncture

Physical Therapy

Lots more information about How to Turn a Breech Baby. 
 

Alexa Sockol provides night time sibling care based on availability. 650-678-3424

Tobi Stevens, "Tante Tobi", 408-247-1201, Postpartum Doula and Child Doula, Family-Centered Birth and Parenting Support Services

Sandy Caldwell, CD(DONA), 650-261-9008, Redwood City, sandy@doula-la.com, http://www.doula-la.com
 
 

MDs with an Expanded Practice

Some MDs enhance their practices by borrowing from the best of other modalities.  If you need an MD, consider seeing one of the doctors in this group - Tim Guilford, MD. Los Altos, CA. Raj Patel, MD and Graeme Shaw, MD, 5050 El Camino Real, Ste 110,. Los Altos,CA. (650) 964-6700.

Shanti Rubenstone, MD, 4153-B El Camino Way, Palo Alto, CA  94306, 650-857-0226

Patricia Muller, MD (sometimes called Niki), Los Altos, California 650-941-4450, Dr Muller is a gynecologist, but she also does general practice.  She is thorough and takes the time to address your personal issues.

Aida Hasbun, MD 76 Ford Rd., Carmel Valley, CA  93924, 831-659-0808

Tim Guilford, MD, Grame Shaw, MD, Raj Patel, MD 5050 El Camino Real, Ste 110, Los Altos, CA  94022 650-964-6700

Kenneth Rebong, MD, Hormone Longevity Center, 16375 Monterey Rd., Ste A, Morgan Hill, CA  95037, 408-778-5090

Phil Miller, MD, Los Gatos Longevity Institute, 15215 National Ave., Ste. 103,. Los Gatos, CA  95032, 408-358-8855

Bobbi Spurr, ND, PA, Center for Optimum Wellness, 211 Wixon Ave., Aptos, CA  95003

Deborah Malka, MD, 15525 Bohlman Rd., Saratoga, CA  95070 831-325-7141

Homeopaths

Learn  more about homeopathy in pregnancy.

Sabina Sonneman, MD

Randall Neustaedter OMD, LAc

Deborah Hayes CCHH, MBRCP(H), B.Sc (Hons), Raquel Blech, and Bryony Autumn, Realhomeopathy, 2672 Bayshore Parkway, Suite 810, Mountain View, CA 94043

Masha Rosen, CHom--Certified Homeopath, 840 Hinckley Road, Suite 110 Burlingame, CA 94010, 999 Commercial Drive, Suite 101 Palo Alto, CA 94303, 650-532-0517, masha@masharosen.com

Dr. Damon P. Miller, M.D.  - Organic MD - Dr. Miller practices acupuncture, pharmaceutical-free healing and natural medicine. (650-566-9900) at The Center at 435

Mary Jo Aloi, Classical Homeopathy, Whole Medicine (formerly Artemis Healing Center), 246 Los Gatos-Saratoga Rd., Los Gatos, CA 95030, 408-884-1972

Deborah Olenev, CCH RSHOM, Homeopathy for Health, 59 Paul Avenue, Mountain View, CA  94041, 650-569-6219  Olenev@att.net

Bill Gray, M.D., Classical Homeopathy, 14567 Big Basin Way Suite #B6, Saratoga, CA 95070, (408) 868-0330

John D. Melnychuk, RSHom (NA), CCH, Palo Alto Center for Homeopathy

Nutritionists

Good nutrition is a cornerstone of a healthy pregnancy. Many common complaints can be mitigated by proper nutrition, including: Heartburn and acid reflux, Itchy skin, Constipation / Hemorrhoids, Mild swelling to pre-eclampsia, Gestational-onset diabetes, Nausea and morning sickness, vegetarian/vegan pregnancy, Healthy weight gain and management, Depression and post-partum depression

Dr. Marina Rose uses specialized lab tests and targeted supplements to optimize the mom's health before, during and after pregnancy.  She is also a chiropractor and provides adjustments in the context of an overall Wellness Plan. 650-383-8853

• Stephanie Brooks, MS, RD Nutrition Therapist and Consultant 408-370-7731 x-1
  
• Ramona Lawrence is a certified diabetes educator and dietitian. She has a lot of peri-natal (even Gestational DM), infant and child nutrition experience. Ramona is in our Campbell office and has Saturday and some Evening appts avail.
• Rebecca Sugumar is a dietitian who has a lot of per-natal, infant, child nutrition experience as well. She will be in our Gilroy office mostly on thursdays and in Campbell on an as needed basis. I hope this helps.

Body Balancing

Jocelyn Saiki at Center of Balance is a certified Pilates, Elvis "the Pelvis" and MasterStretch instructor who can help with pelvic misalignments. 1220 Pear Avenue, Suite i, Mountain View, CA 94043, (650) 967-6414

Carrie Burr offers Personal Training, Nutrition Counseling, and Health & Wellness Coaching specifically for prenatal and postpartum moms, 413 Monterey Ave., Suite B, Los Gatos, CA  95030, 408-375-8850

Chiropractics

Chiropractic care has tremendous benefits for pregnant women.

Chiropractic Care for Babies and Children - We're fortunate to have a local chiropractor who is also nationally renowned for his work on Kids Need Chiropractic Too! - Peter N. Fysh, D.C., F.I.C.C.P., 990 West Fremont Avenue, Suite M , Sunnyvale, CA  94087, 408-773-9165

Dr. Tiffany Butters, Homestead Chiropractic Group, 21020 Homestead Rd., Suite 1, Cupertino, CA  95014, butters_tiffany@hotmail.com, 408-733-3760.  Dr. Butters is Webster Technique Certified; she is available to make home visits to adjust newborns if the family has been in her practice for at least two months.

Dr. Jasmine Jackson, DC, 751 Blossom Hill Road Suite A1, Los Gatos, CA  95032, 408-402-3337, chirojaz@gmail.com.  Dr. Jackson  is Webster Technique Certified.

Dr David Kamnitzer, DC, 555 Veterans Blvd, Ste 101, Redwood City, CA 94063, (858) 204-3092 - A chiropractor who uses a variety of supportive modalities.

Dr. Kate Fox, Chiropractic Physician, Fox & Young Chiropractic and Naturopathic Health Center, 751 Blossom Hill Rd., Los Gatos, CA  95032, 408-761-6781 - Dr. Fox performs the Webster technique for turning breech babies.  Dr. Fox can act as a primary care provider for all concerns other than OB/GYN.

Dr. Melanie S. Coronel, D.C., Fremont Family & Sports Chiropractic

Dr. Tina Roach-Gagnon, BS, DC, QME, Santa Rita Chiropractic, Inc., 173 N. Morrison Ave., Suite F, San Jose, CA  95126, 408-280-7766 - Dr. Tina performs the Webster technique for turning breech babies.  Dr. Tina is sometimes available to come to your home to perform craniosacral adjustments.

Dr. Paula Strauss, The Chiropractic Center of Campbell, 280 W. Hamilton Ave., Campbell, CA  95008, 408-866-8820.

Lisa Walsh, DC , Vitality Chiropractice Center, now located at 2100 Carlmont Dr., Suite #3, Belmont, CA, 650-342-4623 - Dr. Walsh specializes in treating infants and children, as well as women throughout their pregnancies; she offers a customized pregnancy program.  She uses low-force techniques and has had a lot of success in helping children of all ages with digestive issues.  She also offers advanced techniques such as TBM (Total Body Modification, which directs the body's natural healing energy to restore function to specific areas under stress) and NET (Neuro Emotional Technique, a way of releasing emotional issues which may also be related to physical problems, ie, digestion). [Dr. Walsh was trained by Dr. Zaida Rivene, who has moved to South Africa.]

Dr. Sherry L Chocholaty, DC, 1936 Camden Avenue Suite #2, San Jose, CA 95124, 408-377-5777, dr_chocholaty@yahoo.com

Dr. Shahnaz Jangi, Family Chiropractor, 961 Vasco Da Gama Ln, Foster City CA. 650-759-5470.   Dr. Shahnaz practices family chiropractic with a keen interest in helping pregnant moms and babies. She has studied advanced courses in pediatrics and pregnancy.  She is also offering a new and exciting nutritional technique called Nutrition Response Testing.

Dr. Alice Smith, DC, Santa Clara, 408.247.3060.  She uses applied kinesiology to determine the source of the symptoms... She's also nutritionally focused.

Rob Murray, DC, 1633 Hollenbeck Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94087, 408-733-2223

Marilyn Moss, D.C., 621 E. Campbell Ave, Suite 12, (adjacent to Harmony Birth Services), Campbell, CA 95008, 408-693-8533 - Specializing in prenatal and postpartum care, cranial work for infants, certified in Webster technique. Her hormone balancing work includes an initial assessment and symptom evaluation, lab work (serum and/or saliva), and putting together diet, lifestyle, nutritional supplementation programs for patients.  I work with both men and women.  Lots of perimenopausal/ menopausal work, and adrenal, thyroid, andropause, GI, etc.

Rozenhart Family Chiropractic (sisters Jennifer and Stephanie), 4620-B Meridian Avenue, San Jose, CA 95124, 408-979-9999, info@rozenhartchiro.com
Our office specializes in maternity and family care.  We have an extremely inviting environment to families and kids.

Dr. Robert Mascarotti, DC, Esprit Healing Center, offers a holistic healing approach, including homeopathics. 1058 Lincoln Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125, (408) 275-6622

Curtis Turchin, DC,  950 Woodside Road, Suite 6, Redwood City, CA  94061, 650-361-8781

Dr. Marina Rose is a chiropractor who focuses on nutrition; she does adjustments in the context of an overall Wellness Plan.  650-383-8853

Dr. Anjali Agrawal, 949 Sherwood Avenue, Los Altos, CA  94022 650-949-3636.  Dr. Agrawal has a particular interest in prenatal chiropractic and nutritional support.  She has had particularly good results in treating pregnancy nausea or "morning sickness", and she's helped my clients with heartburn, itchy skin and a variety of other discomforts!  She is trained in performing the Webster Technique to assist in the turning of breech babies.  She also uses the BAX3000 to treat allergies.

Denise Magee, DC,    (650) 365-1772, Redwood City.  Denise is also a Bradley teacher!!!  E-mail: dcmagee@pacbell.net

Dr. Nancy J. Newbold, 455 Avenida Alhambra, P.O. Box 327, El Granada, CA  94018, 415-726-3300.  Dr. Newbold has a special interest in adjusting newborns and new moms.

Richard Roth, DC, Essential Chiropractic Center - 14103-A Winchester Blvd., Los Gatos, CA  95032, 408-871-0190 - Dr. Roth has a special interest in adjusting newborns and children.

Dr. Dikla Oren, Gaya Wellness Center, 851 Fremont Ave. Suite 112, Los Altos, CA 94024, (650) 917-9094.  Dr. Oren is a Chiropractor and Yoga teacher, specializing in gentle techniques that are most suitable for pregnant women.  The Gaya Wellness Center hosts Chiropractic, Body work such as massage and Cranio-Sacral Technique, Nutrition and Homeopathy, and they have space available for workshops and classes.  She is trained in performing the Webster Technique to assist in the turning of breech babies.

1. Knowledge and trust in the body's inner wisdom
2. Skills and objective to work with the body's normal function and natural healing abilities.
3. Support and commitment towards non-traumatic, non-invasive birthing procedures.

Diandra Wood, 744 San Antonio Rd, Ste 29, Suite 8, Palo Alto, 94303, 650 565-0088.  Dr. Wood does adjust newborns!

Deborah Mosca, DC, offers chiropractic adjustments of the pelvis, which may relieve some bone or ligament discomforts.  Los Altos Family Chiropractic Wellness Center, Chiropractic Care, Injury Rehabilitation, Sports Fitness Training, Massage Therapy of all types, and Reiki Energy Healing, 851 Fremont Ave., Suite 111 Los Altos, CA 94024, 650-917-2030

Mary Ann Furda, DC, 2251 High St., Palo Alto, CA  94301, 650-322-5112 offers a blend of chiropractics and massage. [Chiropractic adjustments may be "soft".]

Cheryl Burnett, DC, 408-371-0068  [Offers softer chiropractics - closed on Friday, open MW mornings and evenings and every other Friday and Saturday (alternating) and by appointment - first appt. usually an hour.]  She specializes in pediatric and pregnancy. She also has a CMT who works with her named Kim Campbell who is available by appointment.

Dr. Jay Lashbrook, Affordable Chiropractic, 740 S. Bernardo Ave. Sunnyvale CA. 94087, 408-774-1800 - "He offers really affordable cares for people with or without insurance.  Also, every 2nd Saturday about 11am-1pm, he offers Free (sliding scale) chiropractic care for people who otherwise can not receive the care."

California Providers Home Page - a state-wide listing of chiropractors.
 

Acupuncture

The Clinic at Five Branches Institute in San Jose may offer care at reduced rates.

Many Lives Chinese Medicine - Healthy Babies Begin with Healthy Moms - Acupuncture and Herbs - Beth Schiffman, L.Ac FABORM and Eunice Kan, L.Ac., Dipl.O.M

Rachel Schneyer, M.S., L.Ac, D.OM, FABORM is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist.

The four acupuncturists at Harmony Acupuncture specialize in Reproductive Health, Pregnancy, and Women’s health, 920 Hillview Ct. #140, Milpitas,CA 95035, 408-941-9229

Cindi Ignatovsky, L.Ac., 621 E. Campbell Ave., Suite 12, Campbell, CA  95008 (next door to Harmony) Email: AcupunctureHealth@yahoo.com.
Traditional Chinese Medicine for fertility, pregnancy and postpartum issues. Safe, gentle and effective treatments for nausea, sciatica, breech baby, labor induction, postpartum depression, lactation issues, and more! House calls available.    She shares an office with Charis Wolf, L.Ac., who also specializes in Pediatrics!

Kimberley Davis, Doctor of Oriental Medicine and Licensed Acupuncturist, specializing in Women's Health.  She treats menopause, fertility, pregnancy, and all women's health issues. 168 Waverely Street, #4, Palo Alto, CA  94301, 650-326-8920 livinginbalance@hotmail.com

Jacquelyn Lorell, L.Ac., A New Day Healing Arts, works with fertility issues as well as miscellaneous pregnancy discomforts.  621 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell, Suite 8, 408-378-1588., JL@anewdayhealingarts.com

Elizabeth Ko in south SJ (near Kaiser Santa Teresa) also has a very good reputation for treating postpartum mood disorders.

Loren Romley, LAc, The Holistic Health Center, 1340 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA 94025, 650-328-0800. Specializing in women's health, including turning breeches.

Yueru Wu, L.Ac., 305 South Dr., Mountain View, CA 94040, 650-967-0768.  Dr. Wu is trained as an MD in both Western and Chinese Medicine and received advanced training in OB/GYN, and she also uses Chinese herbs.  Dr. Wu is on the faculty at Five Branches Institute.  Her accent takes a little getting used to.

Lucy G. Hu, O.M.D., C.A., Hu's Acupuncture & Herbs Center (traditional chinese medicine), 1543 Lafayette St., Suite A, Santa Clara, CA  95050, 408-243-0653 or 831-476-8211  (Santa Cruz office) - offers acupuncture for infertility and turning a breech baby.  I have also had clients have great success with her treatments and she has been good about getting people in quickly. She's on the faculty at the Five Branches Institute.

Kim Silsby Richards, L.Ac., 885 N. San Antonio Rd., Suite M, Los Altos, CA  94022, 650-948-9642, Holistic Health Care, Fertility, and Pregnancy.  Kim is sometimes able to provide treatments in hospitals if necessary.

Dr. Sue Lin, ACM Health Center, 417 N. San Mateo Drive, San Mateo, CA 94401-2417 (with offices also in San Francisco, San Jose and Fremont):  650-579-5560 or 650-345-8880; she treats women with postpartum depression. She's been an acupuncturist for over 50 years. In China she specialized in women's medicine.

Catherine Burns, L.Ac. - 4546 El Camino Real, Los Altos, 650-949-3637

Integrative & Wellness Medical Center of Silicon Valley, 15891 Los Gatos-Almaden Rd., Suite 100, Los Gatos, CA  95032, (408)358-IWMC (4962).  Services include acupuncture for turning breech babies.

Beth Cold, 825 San Antonio Road, Suite 201, Palo Alto, CA  94303, 650-363-0630.  She specializes in Women's health and does a lot of pregnancy/labor/postpartum related things.  My clients who have seen her have loved her and had success with their treatments, and has been good about getting people in quickly (especially for induction...etc).

Khim Choong M.S., L.Ac. (Los Gatos Oriental Medicine) - Acupuncture, Herbs and Natural Health Care - Provides acupuncture to try to start labor for ruptured membranes or postdates.  15899 Los Gatos Almaden Road Suite 10, Los Gatos, CA  95032  408-356-6601, 408-799-6677

Ms. Marshall Riley, Los Gatos, 408-354-0966  - She specializes in women's health and is also in Los Gatos.  Don't know as much about her, but she was recommended to me by another acupuncturist.

Tatyanna Teeuwisse L.Ac., Artemis Healing Center, 246 Los Gatos-Saratoga Rd., Los Gatos, CA 95073, 408-884-1972, tatyanna@artemishealingcenter.com - Dr. Teeuwisse helps turn breech babies (moxibustion) and get labor started (natural induction), (conscious) conception, detoxification and preparation for conception and/or working to enhance fertility; any menstrual or menopausal or otherwise female-related conditions; pregnancy or postpartum discomforts (especially back pain and sciatica) or concerns including emotional problems; happy to treat infants and children or make recommendations to parents re. massage, herbs and supplements for their kids; a good resource for diet/nutrition recommendations.  She also offers Mother Roasting and can provide information about having your baby's placenta prepared according to the principles of Chinese Medicine. Tatyanna also has an office in Capitola.

Colleen Murphy at Palo Alto Women's Healing Ctr, 635 Bryant St., Suite 8, 650-327-2642, womenshealing@earthlink.net

Yvette Dellanini at Sage Wellness Center, 601 So.B St., San Mateo, 650-343-7899, sagewellnesscenter@rcn.net

Beth Cold and Mary Nickel, L.Ac in Palo Alto

Shirley Nichols, 137 N, San Mateo Drive, 650-342-1998

Beth Schiffman in Redwood City, www.manylives.org

That's her!  Her number is 650.814.6432.

Aileen Huang is very popular with the folks in downtown Mountain View.  650-814-6432. Her office is on El Camino between Castro and Shoreline and is flexible in working with children. She's part of the faculty at the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Francisco.

Acupuncture/Natural Induction

Raven Lang, Santa Cruz, 831-425-1125 - uses acupuncture to start labor without pharmaceuticals when induction is needed.

Gabriella Linda Jones, L.Ac., M.S., Mother Friendly and Child Friendly Acupuncturist, treats issues surrounding pregnancy (morning sickness, fatigue, low back pain, headaches, breech), infertility, induction of labor, postpartum care, menopause, stress and fatigue, and digestive disorders - 2125 Curtner Avenue, San Jose, CA 95124, 408-626-8133

Naturopaths / Holistic Healers

Naturopathic Doctors in the South Bay Region

Dr. Suzann Wang and Dr. Melody Wong are Primary Care Doctors , offering General Naturopathic Medicine, Natural Family Practice, and Naturopathic Pediatric Care,  616 University Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301, 650-327-2053.  Dr. Wang specializes in homeopathy.

Agatha Constance, ND has additional training in naturopathic pediatrics, women’s health, and physical medicine. She enjoys seeing families as their primary care doctor.  Pacific Naturopathic, 4153 El Camino Way, Suite B, Palo Alto CA 94306, 650-857-0226

Dr. Renee Young, Young Naturopathic Center for Wellness, 751 Blossom Hill Rd., Los Gatos, CA  95032, 408-761-6781.  Dr. Young offers therapies to soften up scarring from c-sections or perineal suturing.  The scope of Dr. Young's practice includes prescribing antibiotics when appropriate.

Dr. Andrea Zengion, ND, LAc, Chrysalis Natural Health and Acupuncture, 621 E. Campbell Ave, Suite 12, Campbell, CA  95088 - Natural Medicine • Holistic Health Care • Natural Medicine • Holistic Health Care.  Dr. Zengion is also a doula!

Jeannette M. Schreiber, L.Ac., 5141 Moorpark Avenue, San Jose, CA 95129, 408-799-4849 - Acupuncture, Nutritional Therapy, Herbal Medicine

Dr. Yen Tran, ND, Natural Wellness Clinic, 500 E. Remington Dr. Suite 28, Sunnyvale, CA 94087, naturaltran@gmail.com, (408) 792-7229

Dr. Gerald S. Cohen, 675 Forest Ave., Palo Alto, CA  650-328-4325 - He has evolved a unique synthesis of healing techniques that utilize chiropractic, hypnotherapy, homeopathy, nutrition, gentle and precise therapeutic touch and musical tones.

NovaNation Center, 200 S. California Ave, Suite #190, Palo Alto, CA 94306-1635, 650-292-0435 - Theta Healing, Bio-Energy Work, Ayurveda, Craniosacral Therapy, Reiki, Qi-Gong, Massage, and more

Drs. Bryan & Destia Skinner, Cypress Naturopathic Medicine, 359 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto CA 94301,  650-323-7345.  Destia specializes in children's and women's health.  She will make home visits to do craniosacral adjustments of newborns of current patients. Destia has worked as a midwife in Washington state so knows a lot about pregancy/birth/newborns. She promises a high degree of likelihood that she can help relieve pelvic pain during pregnancy. I've also heard excellent reports about her helping children with eczema.

Robin Novotny, ND, PhD, 371 North First Street, Los Altos, CA 94024, 408-777-9098

Dr. Connie Hernandez and Dr. Marcel Hernandez, Pacific Naturopathic, 2570 W. El Camino Real, Suite 111  -  Mountain View, CA 94040, 650-917-1121.  They also have a cleansing and rejuvenation facility in Hawaii.
 

Osteopaths

Jennifer Logan, DO - Traditional Osteopath, 744 San Antonio Rd., Suite #3, Palo Alto, CA  94303, 650-813-1214  (Alternative Therapies:
Growing Options in Nursing Practice has a nice discussion of various alternative healthcare modalities, including Osteopathic Medicine.)

Mark Rosen, DO, 4370 Alpine Road, Suite 205, Portola Valley, California 94028, Phone 650-529-0304, markdo@osteodoc.com

There used to be an osteopath at PAMF in Los Altos, but apparently she has decided to "change the direction of her practice."

Chinese Medicine

Malu Rydfors, Clinique Asiatique, Redwood Ciy, acupuncturist, herbalist and primary care giver - Malu takes a holistic and integrative approach to health and works in concert with Western medical practitioners to provide comprehensive care to her patients.  Her specialty lies in Women’s Health, particularly issues relating to emotional wellness, menstrual irregularites, PMS, hormonal inbalance, and fertility enhancement for both women and men.

Tatyana Teeuwisse, LAc, Classical Chinese Medicine & Therapeutic Massage, 321 Los Gatos Saratoga Rd., Los Gatos, CA 95030, 408-830-1222 e-mail: medicine@7-sisters.net.  [Santa Cruz office - 831-515-4120]

Placenta Encapsulation - cost ranges from $250 to $300.

Anna Hurty (founder of Blossom Birth) is now in Oakland and will come pick up your placenta and encapsulate it in her own facilities. 510.842.6283, anna@hurty.com

Jacque Shannon-McNulty offers Professional Placenta Preparation

Mendy Thijssen is a Placenta Encapsulation Specialist with "Placenta Benefits" [and her personal web page]

Abby Rappoport does placenta encapsulation - (831) 345-0678, or abby@movementhealing.org

Ayurvedic Medicine

Please e-mail me information about other local ayurvedic resources.  Thank you.
 
 

Physical Therapist for Separation of the Pubic Symphysis and for urinary or fecal incontinence that can be a side effect of vacuum extraction.   3300 Webster Street,  Oakland St 402   94609.   510-451-6020, 8 miles from MacArthur BART

Stephanie Prendergast : http://www.pelvicpainrehab.com/
Rob Naber : http://ptoflosgatos.com/
My recommendation would be to first see Stephanie and she will then send you to Rob if she feels that's what you need.
 
 

Childbirth Education

If you want an experience different from the standard hospital routine, you'll need to educate yourself outside the hospital environment.

Voice of Experience: There is a lot of anxiety among pregnant women these days - our country is at war, the economy is in a shambles, the environment is falling to pieces, and the political environment is very adversarial.  This isn't a supportive environment for birthing women.  My personal recommendation would be for women birthing for the first time to take two different birth classes - one Bradley class to help educate you about the physical aspects of childbirth, and another class that focuses more on the mental/emotional aspect of birthing: Hypnobirthing® or Birthing from Within.  It's possible that the BirthWorks classes offered by Danielle Harel would satisfy both needs.

Our local birth resource centers also offer childbirth education.

Here's a new approach!   Passionate Childbirth - Birth is a unique feminine experience. When giving birth, our feminine-sexual organs are stimulated and our sex hormones activated. Birth is an instinctive and primal act that connects us to our powerful feminine roots. Learn how to connect with your femininity prior and during birth, embrace your sexuality, and allow the birth process to empower you!

Danielle Harel offers BirthWorks classes - new session starting in October!  I'm very impressed with their curriculum and with Danielle's qualifications!

Andria Wagner offers Peaceful  Pregnancy & Childbirth Course for those seeking natural solutions during pregnancy and afterwards

The Birthing From Within style childbirth mentoring class, based on the book by Pam England, approaches birth as a profound rite of passage -  one that is not only physical, but intensely emotional and spiritual, as well.

Deidre Lorenzo (Bundle of Joy Doula Care) has also started teaching Birthing From Within  classes at Blossom Birth.

Sandy Caldwell sometimes teaches a Birthing From Within class at CHANGE of the Peninsula in San Mateo.

Chrys Holland and Rosanna Davis (650-964-2229) are both offering Birthing From Within Classes

"The Bradley Method®" and "Husband-Coached Childbirth®" - Your currently affiliated Bradley® instructor wants you and your baby to have the best, safest, and most rewarding birth experience possible. For that reason we endorse and teach the following ideals.

Local Bradley teachers:  [This list is probably out-of-date. Unfortunately, the Bradley organization or local subgroups don't have an easily accessible online directory.  The Bradley Method® site has a web page where you can type in your contact information, and they will send you a directory.]  Any other local Bradley teachers are encouraged to email-me their contact information so I can add them the list.  Thanks!

Denise Magee, Redwood City, 650-365-1772 (8 classes in series, recommends starting before 6 months pregnant),  dcmagee@pacbell.net
Tracey Molter, San Jose, 408-257-1919
Lori Ismail , Sunnyvale, 408-947-7275
Michelle Germain, Campbell/San Jose, 408-448-0320
Maureen Jackson, Birth, Babies & Beyond, South San Jose, 408-629-6861
Kimberly Gibbs-Egan, Campbell - kimberly@gibbs-egan.com or 408-206-9240
Julie Fagan, Provisionally Affiliated Instructor, Los Altos Hills, 650-919-4040, julie_fagan@yahoo.com

Other Chidlbirth Education methods:
ICEA, Jeanne Batacan, San Jose, 408-229-0527
ALACE,  Jeanna Lurie, San Jose,  408-275-1250

Prenatal Parenting Program consists of 8 modules filled with exercises to manage fears, reduce stress, change unwanted behaviors, and to prepare spiritually and psychologically for the most important gift parents give their child - a healthy and peaceful birth.  Prenatal Parenting classes are available from:

• Harpreet Sandhu in Berkeley, 510-418-5675, e-mail Info@InnerRevelations.com

Elizabeth Green - 650-269-9046 - offers in-home, private childbirth education classes

Mindfulness-Based Childbirth & Parenting Education Program - classes, retreats and private classes w/Nancy Bardacke, CNM, in the North and East Bay.

Jessica Hansen and Susan Cortez of Birth Wonders offer a Childbirth class tailored to the Home Birth Community!  These are held in Castro Valley.  510-889-9163

Cheri Zepp, Los Altos (near border of Mountain View/Sunnyale/Cupertino), 408-732-9787 teaches Bradley-style natural childbirth education, some private and some group classes.

Liz Creditor is teaching a VBAC class at Birthways in Berkeley - This class series is designed for moms and their partners who have given birth by cesarean one or more times and are interested in having a vaginal birth. The class will cover topics such as: TOLAC- Trial of Labor After Cesarean, risks and benefits of VBAC, risks and benefits of a repeat cesarean, choosing the right healthcare provider, increasing your chances of a successful VBAC, understanding local hospital VBAC policies, developing strategies for self-advocacy, reviewing stages of labor and comfort activities.

As of August, 2001, there aren't yet any Birth Works® educators right in the Silicon Valley area, but maybe there will be when you check!

If you're looking for hospital oriented childbirth education, you might enjoy taking the deluxe one-day classes taught by a midwife - Nicole M. Pilgrim, CNM - in Los Gatos.

Jeanne Batacan, ICCE, CLE, ICD, teaches Birthing & Parenting classes in Morgan Hill and Gilroy.  HURRAY!  408-229-0527

Hypnobirthing® and Hypnobabies (see also Hypnosis/Hypnotherapy)

You may want to take your Hypnobirthing®classes in the 2nd trimester so you can better benefit from the relaxation effects during the last months of pregnancy.

Vanessa Pisias is a doula who has also taken the practitioner training course for Hypnobirthing®, 408-202-8369, vanessathedoula@yahoo.com

Roxanne Paolini, CHt., Integrative & Wellness Medical Center, 393 Blossom Hill Road, Ste. 201, San Jose, CA  95123  408-227-1500

Fay Kelly  CHT, MdH, HBCE, Pediatric and Adult Hypnotherapy, San Mateo, 650-773-6440

Jayne M. Marsh, CMH, 17705 Hale Ave., Suite H-5, 408-782-1131, Morgan Hil, CA  95037, jmarsh1@mindspring.com

Robin Sale, Certified Hypnotherapist, founder of Whole Birth Yoga and Support Classes, offers hypnotherapy sessions for couples and individuals focusing on childbirth and parenting issues and healing from past traumatic birth experiences. In Santa Cruz, 831 425 7731.

Lori Godin, MBA, MA - Self-Hypnosis for Childbirth, Santa Clara

Janet Jones CHt, MS Counseling, teaches Hypnobabiestechniques. (510)639-9378. jbgsjones@sbcglobal.net

Kristin Nemzer teaches Hypnobirthing privately and may come to the client's home, Santa Cruz, 831-345-1500  www.hypnobirthingsf.com

Alma D. Quinones, Ph.D., Certified Hypnobirthing® Instructor, Certified HypnoTherapist - My Radiant Child, 1617 Manzanita Ave, Belmont, CA 94002, 650-654-6421, e-mail: MyRadiantChild@aol.com

Beth Elliott, MFCC, offers an individualized hypnosis-based childbirth preparation program.  P.O. Box 2235, Los Gatos, CA  95031, 408-450-3003

Gayle Peterson, MSSW, LCSW, PhD offers Preventative Prenatal Counseling for Childbirth and a Childbirth Preparation and Postpartum Program incorporating hypnosis.  She is a nationally known therapist and author with an office in North Berkeley.  If you have a complicated personal history, especially a previous traumatic birth experience, it might be well worth the drive to seek her assistance; she also offers phone sessions.  Her services may be covered by your health insurance.
Phone:  (510) 526-5951  e-mail:  gp@askdrgayle.com   website:  www.askdrgayle.com

As an adjunct to any hypnosis-based preparation, you will benefit from mindfulness practice: Amy Saltzman, MD teaches "Mindfulness and Parenting"  - Mindfulness is a wonderful antidote to the stresses of living and parenting in Silicon Valley. Please join us as we cultivate compassionate awareness, and allow that awareness to inform our lives, particularly the challenges of parenting.  650-326-0701

Cynthia A. Sholes, Ph.D., MdH, Director Mind Wave Institute, Health & Wellness Consultant, Certified Medical Hypnotherapist, 650-704-1252, With Offices Located in Palo Alto and Redwood City.  Cynthia also offers NET.

Prenatal Yoga

Our local birth resource centers also offer prenatal yoga.

Hillary Easom teaches prenatal yoga classes in and around Mountain View.

Community Center for Health & Wellness - The Institute of Transpersonal Psychology is now offering Prenatal Yoga Classes (Contact Dawn Campagnola - 650-493-5006 or dawn@dawncampagnola.com) and Prenatal Women's Cricle Six Week series (Contact Lisa Arthur, 831-345-4700 or lisajarthur@ontheparentingpath.com) 744 San Antonio Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303, 650-493-5006

Penni Thorpe offers Pregnant Couples Prepare For Labor with Yoga at Change of the Peninsula (www.changeofthepeninsula.org--a yoga studio in San Mateo with many pre & post natal offerings) about every two months.

CHANGE of the Peninsula in San Mateo

Mommy & Baby Pi-Yo Play™ classes combine a very unique blend of pilates, yoga, and singing while bonding with your baby.  Nurture yourself and your baby in this class designed to address the unique postpartum needs.  The focus will be on poses to strengthen the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles, while connecting with the baby and other moms, honoring the transition into motherhood. . .  Classes at ReFormation Studio, 33 Las Colinas Lane, San Jose, CA  95119, 408-284-1300

Whole Birth Yoga classes in a variety of South Bay locations - Mindfulness-based Prenatal and Postpartum Yoga classes include lively discussions and support for pregnancy, birth and new parenthood. You can also order a Whole Birth Yoga CD for home practice.

Prenatal Yoga taught by Jeanna Lurie at Shanti Yoga Center, 940 Park Ave., San Jose, CA 95126.  408-885-1018 - Wednesday mornings, 9:30- 11:45 and Sundays, 10:30- 12:45

Devi Yoga, 883 Santa Cruz Ave., Suites 29 & 30, Menlo Park, CA 94025, 650.324.4555 - Prenatal classes with Connie Habash on Mondays, 12:30-2 pm

Center for Healing and Global Evolution (CHANGE) in San Mateo, CA - classes include prenatal and mom-baby yoga and mom-baby and postpartum pilates.  They also offer a Meet the Doulas Night on a monthly basis.

Irene A. Smith, Ph.D., Yoga in Union - specialized classes for pregnancy and general classes for post pregnancy. Downtown San Jose, 408-299-0707

The El Camino YMCA in Mountain View offers pre/postnatal classes; they also have on-site child care!

California Yoga Center, 570 Showers Drive, Suite 5, Mountain View,  650-947-9642

Yoga Wellness Center, 35 North San Mateo Drive, San Mateo, California 94401, (650) 401-6423

ReFormation Studio, Divya Zuccaro, 33 Las Colinas Lane, San Jose, CA  95119, 408-284-1300 - Bond with your baby from conception onward.

Ellen E. Hamilton, MPH, CLE, ICCE, 650-322-2717, eehamilton@earthlink.net - Call for class times and locations.

Pre-natal yoga classes taught by Marti Foster on Sundays at 11AM at the Peninsula School in Menlo Park in case you wanted to add it to your resources web page.

The Yoga Center of Los Gatos offers prenatal and postpartum classes.  Contact Jennifer Penick at 408-621-4779.

Nancy Tudish teaches Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga at CSE (Center for Spiritual Enlightenment), University Ave, San Jose (phone: 866-1394) teaches a prenatal yoga class. She also occasionally offers private sessions or group couples sessions.  She can offer referrals for postnatal yoga classes with childcare provided.

CAN DO YOGA, 3636 Florence St. Suite A, Redwood City, CA 94063,  650-368-5727.  Although they don't specifically offer prenatal yoga classes, the instructors will take your pregnancy into consideration in the instruction.

MindBody Zone, at Avalon Fitness Center, 141 Mowry Ave, Fremont, CA, 510-813-4700, info@mindbody-zone.com - Prenatal classes with Connie Habash on Thursdays 4-5:15 pm.  Childcare available!

Prenatal Fitness is offered at the San Carlos Recreation Department, 1017 Cedar Street, San Carlos, Ca., Monday and Wednesday evenings 5:45 to 6:45 P.M. We do light aerobics, muscle toning and weight training. Personal training in the client's home is also available.  Contact Patty by phone: 831-475-0451 or e-mail: PattD@aawson.com

Barbara Laux - offers prenatal yoga instruction in your home - 408-399-0131

Mindfulness is a yoga of the mind: Amy Saltzman, MD teaches "Mindfulness and Parenting"  - Mindfulness is a wonderful antidote to the stresses of living and parenting in Silicon Valley. Please join us as we cultivate compassionate awareness, and allow that awareness to inform our lives, particularly the challenges of parenting.  650-326-0701
 

Massage

Our local birth resource centers also offer prenatal massage.

Many women love the idea of a table with a cut out that their pregnant belly can hang through.  Some massage therapists have said that those tables are extremely bad on the pregnant body ­ they put a tremendous amount of strain on the low back.  Worth asking about.

Sadhana Stupar, CMT, NCTMB, 1633 Hollenbeck Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94087, 408-480-2210 - Does home visits for postpartum massage and newborn craniosacral therapy.  She is very well versed in Indian culture and custom surrounding childbirth from her own experience of birth in northern India.  She can provide traditional massage for mother and baby for the first 40 days of the postpartum period.

Postpartum Massage In-Home - Diane Evans, CMT, InLine Massage, certified in Prenatal & Postpartum Massage, Mountain View, 650-759-3600, diane.evans@inlinemassage.com

The Mommy Spa - Specalists in Pregnancy Massage, 413 Monterey Avenue,  Los Gatos, CA 95030, 408-395-2009

Melissa Carroll, LMT, specializes in Pre/Post Natal Massage.  621 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell, 408-568-9106.

Racquel Logan, CMT, Esalen Practitioner, Pregnancy Massage, Cranialsacral, Reiki, Swedish, Lymphatic Drainage, Deep Tissue Sculpting, 408-313-6909

The Massage Therapy Clinic is a sports massage place in Mountain View that is apparently TERRIFIC with sciatica

Ruth Stein is a massage therapist with a specialty in prenatal massage - named by Allure Magazine as "Washington DC's Best Massage Therapist" (11/03) when she lived there.  Currently seeing clients in Los Altos, Saratoga and Palo Alto.    650-941-1248

Verde Touch - Artistic Body Therapy with Heart, 650-630-4565, david@verdetouch.com - David Verdier is a Blossom supporter and has a special relationship with the homebirth community.  They specialize in pregnancy massage and have a cut-out table with a sling for those growing bellies.

The Rub Club - a discount massage program at Santa Rita Chiropractic, Inc., 173 N. Morrison Ave., Suite F, San Jose, CA  95126, 408-978-2RUB

Mendy of  ElementsOfMagic.com is a doula who also does massage; she travels to people's homes.  Elements of Magic "Flying Carpet Travelling Spa"  is a spa designed specifically for pregnant and new moms, offering family discounts!

Rosanna Davis (650-964-2229), prenatal and postpartum massage.

Cheryl Dailey, Center of balance 1220 Pear Avenue Suite 1 Mountain View, Ca. 94043 650-967-6414.  Massage therapist specializing in pre- and post-natal massage.

Kathleen Harper, CMT, Touch Blue Sky, 650-222-6538, massage@touchbluesky.com

The National Association Of Pregnancy Massage Therapy (NAPMT),1-888-451-4945, maintains a Therapist Directory

The Foundation of Family Values, a relatively new non-profit family resource center in San Jose /Campbell, offers Infant Massage classes.
 

Prenatal/Birth Photographers

Christy Scherrer - bellymotherbaby Photography - 408-343-1017 - Cupertino - specializing in birth photography. Christy will be on call to come to your birth whether at home or in the hospital.  I've seen her work and am very impressed with the quality of the photos and the amazing way she manages to get great compositions while being completely unobtrusive at the birth. E-mail to Christy Scherrer

Dawn Photography - Burlingame - 415.348.3655 - prenatal photography, similar to that seen in Pregnant Goddesshood by Mary Ann Halpin.  This is a great way for a pregnant woman to enjoy and appreciate the beauty of her pregnant body - a photo session would be a great shower gift!

Lily Dong - A Mother's Birth - 408-255-8850 - Photo documentary of motherhood's privileged moments from pregnancy, to giving birth, to bonding with your baby - free consultation.

Lori Rose - Signature Images, Inc. 72 West Campbell Avenue, Campbell, CA 95008, 408 374-3714, lori@signature-images.com- Lori lectures throughout the world to other professional photographers on her award-winning style and approach to family and children's portraiture.

ROBIN ROSENZWEIG - PHOTOGRAPHY - Fine Art • Portraits 831-649-3545 [located on the Monterey coast - ideal if you want some beach or oceanside photos!  "My black and white fine art photography includes commissioned portraits - specializing in pregnancy - nudes, narratives, social commentary and emotionally-charged landscapes"
 

Brit Shalom Celebrants - Brit Shalom is a non-cutting naming ceremony which replaces Brit Milah (ritual circumcision) for newborn Jewish boys.

As of Feb., 2004, these included:
Rabbi Nathan Segal, POB 880, Larkspur CA 94977, (415) 419-3511, nathan@rabbinathan.com, www.rabbinathan.com/
Rabbi Kai Eckstein, P.O.Box 1471, El Cerrito CA 94530, (510) 965-1935, humanrabbi@hotmail.com
Mark David Reiss, M.D., 773 Duncan Street, San Francisco California 94131, (415) 647-2687, mdreissmd@aol.com
Rabbi Yeshaia Charles Familant, 332 O'Connor St, Menlo Park CA 94025, (650) 326-5330, yeshaia@sbcglobal.net

There is a local rabbi who claims to do such quick circumcisions that the babies feel no pain and hardly cry.  Here's what scientists who study infant pain say: "Studies demonstrate that even though an infant may not cry during circumcision, the stress hormone level in the blood still increases dramatically, and medical researchers consider this change to be the most reliable indicator of pain response. Therefore, lack of crying does not mean that the infant feels no pain. It could mean that he is withdrawing from unbearable pain."

Saying no to circumcision - San Jose Mercury News - Sat, Jul. 12, 2003

For additional information, contact NOCIRC of California - Silicon Valley, Gillian Flato, Tel: 408-263-2165, gillian@jewsagainstcircumcision.org

Jews Against Circumcision

Alternative Bris Support Group, P.O. Box 1305, Capitola, CA 95010, (831) 475-3313, E-mail: bris@sagatech.com [unreachable 01/05]
Provides support and information on alternative brit ceremonies and medical, religious and cultural information for parents considering covenant/naming ceremonies without circumcision. 

Breastfeeding Resources

Breast Pump Rental

The new Pariday TendHer nipple soothers are available at numerous stores, including Blossom Birth, Good Sam Hospital, Tiny Tots, Earth Baby, Natural Resources, Healthy Horizons.

Mrs. Patel's Milk Makers - Indian Ayurvedic lactation and postpartum treats.

Home Visits for Lactation Consulting

I have found that women with breastfeeding problems sometimes benefit from an overall assessment of mother and baby's well-being and recovery status.  Most PPOs will cover these services well.  Ronnie Falcao "accepts" insurance payment from the reliable payers and offers in-home postpartum midwifery support for mother and baby, including a non-traumatic heelstick for the Newborn Screen at Day 5 or 6, which is the optimal timing.  A traumatic heelstick can interfere with breastfeeding, just as any other birth-related trauma.

There are some midwives who are particularly set up to do this:

In-home visits for lactation consulting provided by an experienced midwife.

Eva Bryer, RN, CNM, MSN, WHNP, Redwood City, h-650-369-7464, cell-650-743-5076

Ronnie Falcao, LM, MS, CHT, Mountain View, 650-961-9728

Lactation Consultants who will make home visits:

Sheridan Ross, 751 Laurel St. #211, San Carlos, CA  94070, 650-222-9747, sheridan@babysips.com - Sheridan makes home visits and is also set up to use Skype to evaluate latch issues right away.

Marielle Warren, IBCLC, Juno Lactation Consulting in Mountain View, 650-200-3972, online contact form or email info@yourjuno.com.

Nivi Yaakov, IBCLC, 415-646-6148, nivi.yaakov@gmail.com - makes home visits! 

Chris Pritchard, I.B.C.L.C, B.S. R.N., Doula, Certified Lactation Educator, Childbirth Educator.  650-728-3950, Contact Web Page, chrisprn@pacbell.net, will see people in their homes from S.F. To Palo Alto and the Coastside, or in my office in Moss Beach. I will still be available to offer post partum doula services during the daytime as well.

Rachel Groleau 831-345-4283. Rachel is certified.

Julie Tardos, IBCLC, offers in-home breastfeeding assistance in the San Jose area.  Please call or text: 408-771-9090

Pearl Yu will make home visits for lactation consulting - 415-516-7606

Rumiko Kawaguchi will make home visits; for now, she is working only with Japanese-speaking mothers. 650-549-5228 or email rumiko@mamanbaby.org

Janet Dombro, IBCLC will make home visits! 408-205-1234  (Sunnyvale), janetibclc@sbcglobal.net  I've heard that Janet is also is also one of the La Leche League leaders for the San Jose evening group, so you might be able to get her assistance there!

Sheila Janokos will make home visits - The Peninsula Breastfeeding Center (formerly Healthy Horizons) in Burlingame: 1-800-FYI-MILK (toll free), i.e. 800-394-6455, 650-579-2726, 650-347-6455 (MILK) www.Babiesandmoms.com

Other lactation consultants may also be available for house calls:

I've gotten rave reviews for Tonya Kearney at Sequoia Hospital's Lactation Center.

There is a great lactation team at Good Sam. They have 3 lactation consultants, Pat, Emma, and Erin and they are all said to be really great.  They are very available by phone (408-559-baby or 408-559-2229), and they have a free support group on Tuesday from 2-3:30. I've heard that they will also do home visits, but am not sure of the details.

There is also a great free support group led by the lactation consultants at Blossom Birth Services in Palo Alto on Wednesdays (I think at 1:30). Cindy is the main consultant, and is also one of the the leaders of the La Leche group that meets there on Fridays at noon.

Yvonne Bannister, BS,IBCLC,CBE,CMT,E-RYT does a lot of free phone consults that can help new moms get started, often without follow up needed. 832-636-6781.

If you're trying to find help with a possible tongue tie, Sylvia Boyd, PT, IBCLC is particularly skilled in assessing and making recommendations to providers who will snip the frenulum.  Some people just go to see Dr. Wessman in Oakland.

If you're trying to find a doctor who will prescribe Nifedipine for persistent breast pain associated with nipple vasospasm or Raynaud's syndrome, you should start with your family doctor, OB or pediatrician.  If they're reluctant, show them the research paper.  If that doesn't work, try Franklin Perry, who is a pain specialist - 555 Veterans Blvd, Redwood City, CA, 650-839-0108

If you're trying to find a doctor who can treat intraductal yeast (infection that has gone into the milk ducts), call Dr. Honor Fullerton, (female) Menlo Dermatology Medical Group, 888 Oak Grove Ave., Suite 8, Menlo Park, CA  94025, 650-325-1511.

Rooibus tea (often recommended for colic) can be purchased at Tea Time - a tea shop in Palo Alto, 542 Ramona St., Palo Alto  94301, 650-328-2877. It is also now widely available in blends from Republic Of Tea - very tasty!

The Mothers' Milk Bank at Valley Medical Center is active again, 751 South Bascome Ave., San Jose, CA  95128, 408-998-4550  You can purchase breastmilk for $3/oz. with a doctor's prescription; this is often covered by insurance.  This is especially practical if you just need to supplement for a short while as you build up your milk supply.  Contact: Pauline Sakamotot, RN, MS, Executive Director, Pauline.Sakamoto@hhs.co.santa-clara.ca.us

Human Milk 4 Human Babies (HM4HB) Global Network - Mother to mother milk-sharing for babes in need. Together we can provide human milk for human babies.  Human Milk 4 Human Babies - California [facebook]  NOTE - the scuttlebutt is that there are some people who pick up breastmilk donations and then turn around and sell the breastmilk.  Be VERY VERY careful.

Sylvia Boyd,  PT, IBCLC,  LCCE, uses her physical therapy skills combined with her breastfeeding knowledge to help babies who can't nurse or cause mom pain.  She can help babies diagnosed with GERD or on Zantac.  South Hayward 94544-4734, 510-538-3679 or 510-881-5348

Dr. Jane Morton is a pediatrician who also specializes in lactation.  She practices general pediatrics at Burgess Pediatrics in Menlo Park, 401 Burgess Drive, Suite C, Menlo Park, 650-321-9555.

The Peninsula Breastfeeding Center (formerly Healthy Horizons) has moved to a new location: 1432 Burlingame Avenue, next to Morning Glory and Malouf's, closer to El Camino.  There is 2 hour free parking in the back off of Chapin.  1-800-FYI-MILK (toll free), i.e. 800-394-6455, 650-579-2726, 650-347-6455 (MILK) Breastpump rental, sales, breastfeeding supplies, scale rentals, consultations, support groups, classes and home visits by Board Certified Lactation Consultants. By Appt only.  www.Babiesandmoms.com

The Breastfeeding Center at Seton Medical Center  1900 Sullivan Daly City CA  650 992-4000 x 2315, Hours are M,W,F 3pm to 6pm and Sat 11am to 2pm. Walk-in s welcome. No Appt needed.  Breastpump sales and rentals, scales, full line of breastfeeding aids (including gripe water), certified bra fitters and large selection of bras. Support groups, classes and consultations by Lactation Consutlants.

Elizabeth Green - 650-269-9046, offers home visits for breastfeeding support in the role of a postpartum doula.

Leslie Keenan, RN - 650-941-3884 or 650-255-1972 offers home visits for breastfeeding support in the role of a postpartum doula.

Beverly Morgan has moved to Austin, TX, as of January, 2004.

La Leche League of the Peninsula (Northern California) with contact information and meeting schedules for San Francisco, Pacifica, Redwood City, Palo Alto, Mountain View and Cupertino.  650-873-6525

La Leche League of Greater San Jose, California - 408-264-0994

LLL of South Valley is starting meetings again in Jan., 2010, meeting in Gilroy.  lllofgilroy@gmail.com

Ellen E. Hamilton, MPH, CLE, ICCE, 650-322-2717, eehamilton@earthlink.net - Medela breast pumps available for rental weekly or monthly.

Foothill Medical Pharmacy (in Sunnyvale at Mary and Fremont) has an extensive line of breastfeeding supplies and rental pumps.  They also have an on-duty lactation consultant - Pat Gold RDH, PT - call for more information -  (408)739-3452.

Maternal Connections Of El Camino Hospital (2485 Hospital Dr., Mountain View 650-988-8287
This is in the Orchard Pavilion (L&D/Maternity/Nursery Bldg.) Suite 361.  NOTE - Maternal Connections has a NO RETURNS policy on bras.
Lactation consulting and supplies; they rent out breast pumps for $25/month.  I've heard that they carry Gripe Water, a natural colic remedy.

Janet Perrino, MPT, PhysioFit Physical Therapy, 650-947-8500, offer treatment (education, massage and ultrasound) for plugged ducts; usually one or two treatments clear blockages. You'll need a referral or prescription from a doctor, midwife, or nurse.  PhysioFit is in network with most PPOs.

San Jose Milkbank - 408 998-4550 - affiliated with Valley Medical Ctr., San Jose, CA.  (They especially need donations from mothers who have babies under six months of age so the milk composition will be appropriate for a newborn or preemie.  However, they may not be interested in anything less than 100 ounces because of the overhead of managing paperwork and testing.)
 

Breast Pump Rental

Parenting and Breastfeeding Services - Good Samaritan Hospital, (408) 559-2229DayOne Palo Alto

DayOne Center, Palo Alto, (650) 322-DAY1  (3291)

The Nursing Mothers Counsel rents breast pumps -- They have both Medela Classic - hospital grade and the Lactina.  Both rent for $50/month or $125 for three months plus tax. They also sell the kits that go with it, and other accessories.  They also sell the pumps at $250-265 depending on which type, plus tax. All sales and rentals go towards NMC a nonprofit and helping moms with breastfeeding classes and counselors!. 650-327-6455 for advice and pump rental or Sara at 650-490-0914. In Redwood City, you can contact Sandi Tordoff at 364-9579.

The Peninsula Breastfeeding Center (formerly Healthy Horizons) has moved to a new location: 1432 Burlingame Avenue, next to Morning Glory and Malouf's, closer to El Camino.  There is 2 hour free parking in the back off of Chapin.  1-800-FYI-MILK (toll free), i.e. 800-394-6455, 650-579-2726, 650-347-6455 (MILK) Breastpump rental, sales, breastfeeding supplies, scale rentals, consultations, support groups, classes and home visits by Board Certified Lactation Consultants. By Appt only.  www.Babiesandmoms.com

The Breastfeeding Center at Seton Medical Center  1900 Sullivan Daly City CA  650 992-4000 x 2315, Hours are M,W,F 3pm to 6pm and Sat 11am to 2pm. Walk-in s welcome. No Appt needed

Denise Magee, AAHCC, Redwood City is a rental depot for Ameda Engel breast pumps for $60.00 per month.  The kit is extra and costs about $60.00.

Updated 6/07:

Natural Resources has by far the most competitive rental rates, both for members ($80/yr for membership plus many benefits!) and non-members, followed closely by DayOne and Healthy Horizons.

1. Natural Resources - Medela Symphony:
$65/mo. members; $325/6 mos. members
$75/mo. non-members; $375/6 mos. non-members

2. DayOne SF & Palo Alto - Medela Symphony:
$70/mo. members
$80/mo. non-members
no long-term discounts

3. Healthy Horizons - Burlingame - Medela Symphony:
$80/mo.
$350/5 mos ($70/mo)

4. Lullaby Lane - San Bruno - Medela Lactina Select only:
$60/mo.
$150/3 mos.
$200/6 mos.

5. CPMC Newborn Connections - Medela Symphony:
$75/mo. plus non-refundable $10 cleaning fee
no long-term discounts

I was told the Symphony models have a "smoother function" and Medelas in general have stronger pump force than Amedas, which is why all the rental places mostly rent out Medelas.

Postpartum Support Groups

Our local birth resource centers also offer support groups.

El Camino Hospital offers a New Mothers Support Group - Mondays and Tuesdays.  Hours vary depending on child's age group.

Einat Klopfer Cohen leads a workshop for new mothers, Saturday Mom and Dad workshop, and Workshop for new mothers of twins.

See also: Postpartum Therapy for Maternal Birth Trauma - Emotional

Postpartum Yoga

Our local birth resource centers also offer postpartum yoga classes.

Whole Birth Yoga classes in a variety of South Bay locations - Mindfulness-based Prenatal and Postpartum Yoga classes include lively discussions and support for pregnancy, birth and new parenthood. You can also order a Whole Birth Yoga CD for home practice.

Julianne Rice at CSE (Center for Spiritual Enlightenment), University Ave, San Jose (phone: 866-1394) also teaches a postpartum yoga class.  The first part of the class is for mom, and the second part is for mom and baby together.

Whole Birth Yoga classes in a variety of South Bay locations.
 

Postpartum Doula - Cares for mother and baby postpartum, teaches newborn care, some light housekeeping

Postpartum doulas charge around $35/hour and can often be hired for half a day.  This can be a great help in that first week when the woman's partner has gone back to work and the new mother is home alone for the first time.

For URGENT NEED for a postpartum doula, you can contact Rotem Pearlson (rotem@rotemdoula.com, 650-714-4928) who will broadcast your need to a list of postpartum doulas to find ones who are able to assist you as soon as possible.

Rotem Pearlson - Postpartum Doula, rotem@rotemdoula.com, 650-714-4928

Bringing Home Baby!, Heather G. Lovejoy, U.S. Wester Pacific Director for DONA, may be able to refer you to low-cost birth and postpartum doulas on a sliding scale basis, 408-315-6521

Lisa Nakamura (San Jose) -  408-225-5343, e-mail: lisanakamura@earthlink.net
Robin Rogers - In The Nest - 650-329-1269
Elizabeth Green - 650-269-9046 - does home visits for breastfeeding support only
Maureen Jackson, Birth, Babies & Beyond, South San Jose, 408-629-6861
Lela Karzian-Banos (Sunnyvale) 408-734-5598
Tobi Stevens, "Tante Tobi", 408-247-1201, Postpartum Doula and Child Doula, Family-Centered Birth and Parenting Support Services

Real Meals for Families  - a personal chef service at very affordable prices!

New Creations Catering - chef Howard Weiss will fill your freezer - he prepares and delivers complete meals for new families, 510-562-2216

Resources for Fathers

Becoming a father can be amazing and tough.  Society expects a lot from modern dads, but hasn't caught up to honoring their unique needs for support.  Becoming a parent changes many things, and the whole family does better when both mom and dad get to talk & laugh with others who understand the journey.  Come COMMISERATE and CELEBRATE this new role and your incredible child!

Harmony Birth Resources in Campbell offers classes for Dad/Partner Prep before the birth and some postpartum classes for dads/partners after the birth.

Dad's Group - 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 7-8 pm, starts 6/10/08, facilitated by Ollie Moore, Dad Prep instructor& father of two. Call Harmony, 408-370-3702.

Blossom offers a Dads group as well (BYOB: Bring Your Own Baby), which meets the third Sunday of every month at 11.  It is also facilitated by Ollie.  If a mom has a parent-baby group card, her partner can use it to go to the dads group.  Otherwise, it’s $15 drop-in.

Fay Kelly  CHT, MdH, HBCEoffers a session now where she teaches a pregnant couple stress reduction and other techniques for the coming birth.  They both learn the latest mind/body techniques to help them and it's especially great for the husband to learn how he can be a calm, focused and a solid birth support for the wife instead of on an adrenalin high or very reactive. San Mateo, 650-773-6440

Jonathan Bartlett MA LMFT has a Masters in Holistic therapy. His focus is on Couples Counseling, New Parent Coaching and Fatherhood issues.  Family well being classes include "Parenting & Partnership - Keep Your Love Alive".

Silicon Valley Dads Group - Playgroups and support for stay at home dad’s.

Grateful Dads - A community of men who share the same desire to enjoy the richness and bounty of the natural surroundings in which we live and instill in our children the same mindset.

More nationwide resources about fathering.
 

Parenting Groups, Support, Education

Blossom and Harmony - Our local birth resource centers have a variety of support groups for families after the birth.

Building Buddies - New social skills groups for preschoolers! with Dr. Alisa Stern, 650-644-5358

Foundation of Family Values, a relatively new non-profit family resource center in San Jose / Campbell that works with families of all races, religions, sexual orientations, economic status, and political affiliations, in a variety of ways.  Their core services are parenting classes.
    * Conscious Parenting
    * Parenting Children with Behavioral Issues
    * Family Issues and Special Needs Children
    * Pre-Language Communication
    * Touching your Infant and Child: Massage and Body Communication
    * Setting and Modeling Boundaries
    * Identifying and Aligning with Values
    * Encouraging a Co-Dependant-Free Family Dynamic
    * Proactive Parenting: Stacking the Deck Against Drugs, Violence, and Depression
    * Proper Nutrition for Children
    * Managing Anger – Yours and Theirs
    * Talking to Children about Sex – When and How

Discover Your Baby - RIE Parent-Infant Classes with Lee Fernandez, MA, 650-400-3102, Redwood City

Attachment Parents of the Peninsula (APPen) is a community of families  who support each other in applying the philosophies of Attachment  Parenting.  Attachment Parenting is a philosophy based in nurturing  parenting practices that create strong emotional bonds.  The group has an email list, play groups, and other activities. APPen was formerly  BACAP-SMC; Bay Area Community of Attachment Parents in San Mateo County. Yahoo group.

Holistic Moms Network (HMN). chapters in:

Parent Effectiveness Training

PreSchool Family in Palo Alto, 4120 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto, CA  94303 - 650-856-0833 - This is conducted under the auspices of the Palo Alto Adult School, and it really is a class about parenting skills.  This group takes infants and newborns.  Hurray!

Las Madres Neighborhood Playgroups, Inc.

Moms Club - Support groups for at-home moms

Parental Stress Hot Line:  415-327-3333

Parental Stress Hot Line:  415-327-3333

Postpartum Depression Support Group and other Community Resources:  510-727-4610

Palo Alto and Menlo Park Mothers' Club, 650-306-8182
    Offering benefits such as playgroups, speakers on family issues, kids' activities, etc.

Center for Creative Parenting:  A family-oriented educational center that offers classes for people preparing for parenthood.  Specializing in preconception, prenatal, birth, postnatal and early childhood parenting services.

Parenting Resources

To join this low-volume list, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sjsbppAnnouncements

If you have announcements to post, go ahead, being mindful that the moderator (yours truly) is sometimes away from e-mail for days at a time.

sjsbppAnnouncements@yahoogroups.com

Hooked on Nature is an educational campaign to inspire communities to develop an infrastructure that provides youth of all ages with an opportunity to develop a relationship with the natural world - based in Palo Alto.  There is an affiliate program - Children, Nature and You.

Waldorf parent/child program of young children ages one to three, meeting at the Oasis School in San Jose.  Contact Celia Rothenberg 408-264-0848.

The Parents' Club of Palo Alto and Menlo Park

Early Parenting Support Services with Elizabeth Green, a long-time educator and activist with Blossom in Palo Alto.  707-762-7006, elizabeth@earlyparentingsupport.com

Jeanna Lurie is a distributor of Maya Wrap Slings, so you can get one directly from her; she will give any interested party a tutorial in slinging. 408-275-1250, jeanna@mindfulmama.net

• traditional Maya Wrap, which is Guatemalan fabric and adjustable via threading through rings (no padding) comes with an instructional DVD, $46
• the "Mama/Baby" sling which is similar, but made from knit material and can be used singly or two for a snugger newborn fit, $40 for one or $70 for two
• accessories such as doll slings, $15, Maya Wrap companion (bag), $20 and the Maya Wrap sack (small purse) for $8

Lullaby Lane, Tiny Tots, and Day One all carry a limited selection of  slings.

Intro to the Art of Baby Wearing with Terri Burtin, Sling Doula, 650-968-3524,terri@slingdoula.com - Come learn from a professional about the myriad of popular options for baby-wearing, from the Baby Bjorn to pouches, rebozos, ring slings, and Mei Tais; get a chance to try them all on with experienced guidance;  and learn some of the lesser-known benefits along the way (including healthy spine development and preventing "flat-head" syndrome).  She is offering a Slings & Things workshop at Harmony in Campbell regularly, as well.  She has geared the workshop so it is appropriate before the baby comes, to help parents figure out which carrier they might want, or after the baby comes, parents can bring their babies and try things out.

For those who like to make purchases from local companies, one of our local moms runs the Hip & Little Baby Boutique - lots of adorable stuff.

Jeanna Lurie offers a meditation group for parents at Inner Reflection in Campbell.

Signing With Children - Keiki's Corner is dedicated to working together with children, and those who care for them, to enrich language and learning skills. We believe that providing meaningful, fun, and interactive experiences fosters an effective learning environment

Amy Saltzman, MD teaches "Mindfulness and Parenting"  - Mindfulness is a wonderful antidote to the stresses of living and parenting in Silicon Valley. Please join us as we cultivate compassionate awareness, and allow that awareness to inform our lives, particularly the challenges of parenting.  650-326-0701

Parent Effectiveness Training (P.E.T.) is a program that offers parents the specific communication and conflict resolutions skills it takes to build and maintain an effective relationship with a child, in any and all circumstances.

Music Together - the Joy of Family Music - MusicTogether of the mid-Peninsula  has classes in Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Mountain View, and Sunnyvale, or you can check the City Locator to find one near you.

Dominique Vincent is a Kindermusik educator in Mountain View.

KidsSings- Schola Cantorum typically offers a summer series of group sings for children aged 5-9.

The Fall/Winter 2001 catalog from the City of Los Altos Recreation Department listed a class called "Baby Music Together" with Maryse Nadeau and Juli Wong.  This was described as a "first" music class geared towards very young babies.  Fingers crossed that this continues to be an option in our area!  You can download their current Activity Guide from their web page.

Kidpower workshops- they work with kids to give them empowering skills to protect themselves, from bullies, strangers, etc. without scaring them or teaching “stranger danger.”

Whole Child Education Choices - whole child education choices in the Silicon Valley, a list maintained by Heather Ward.  Whole Child Education? What does that mean?  An education that serves every aspect of the child; physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.  An education that is developmentally appropriate, that paces itself to the child, that celebrates talents, and encourages growth. An education that creates a life long love for learning, internal motivation, and confidence in self. Whole child education assures that a child will achieve to their fullest potential.

Counseling for Adjusting to Parenting - These therapists were recommended by members of the local birth community.

• Alisa Nowik Stern, Psy. D., Licensed Psychologist, 345 South California Ave., Ste. 2, Palo Alto, CA  94306, 650-644-5358, dralisastern@gmail.com
• Jacki Silber, LMFT, is an excellent marriage and family therapist -165 Arch Street, Redwood City, jacki@postpartumdepressionhelp.net, 650-363-0383, x119. Specializing in treating depression and anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum
• Eva Roodman facilitates the parent/baby groups at Blossom.

I have met Candice Richardson-Solomon. I haven't worked with her as a therapist but have heard positive things about her.
She's in San Mateo at 161 W. 25th Ave. 650-341-1073 CandiceRS@aol.com .

Wonderful couples therapist in Palo Alto: Sally Hayman, LCSW 650-325-9515

Couples Institute Menlo Park – We worked with Ellen Rosenthal, She's fantastic. Her number is 650-322-6044

Nicole MacDonald, M.A. - Holistic Counselor and Therapeutic Herbalist, San Carlos.  Nicole combines Holistic Counseling with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and Western Herbalism to help her client’s reclaim physical well being, connect deeply with themselves and others, and manifest their spiritual destinies. Nicole creates custom herbal formulas and healing plans to suit each client’s unique concerns and constitutions. 650-766-2088, email nmcmoon@yahoo.com

There's also an organization called Association for Couples in Marriage Enrichment (ACME). Bea and Jim Strickland host quarterly meetings in Mountain View for couples in all stages of marriage. Here's the organization's mission statement: "The mission of the Association for Couples in Marriage Enrichment (ACME) is to promote and provide enrichment opportunities and resources that strengthen couple relationships and enhance personal growth, mutual fulfillment, and family wellness." For moreinformation about the organization, contact Bea and Jim at 408-268-3956

Barbara Whiteside is great.  She's not officially a "therapist" but she's a parenting and enneagram teacher and does individual and couples counseling/coaching.  She's in San Mateo. www.whitesideworkshops.com

Community Center for Health & Wellness, The Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, 744 San Antonio Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303, offers affordable counseling - sliding scale fees, 650-493-5006, counseling@itp.edu 

Nancy Klimp is active in organizing a New Grandmother's Group in Palo Alto, sometimes through the Grandparents Network Meetup Groups. 650 493-1935 X
 

The postpartum period can be overwhelming, especially for a first-time mother at home alone with her baby for extended periods of time. Our local birth resource centers offer many wonderful groups and events that provide postpartum support:

The Attachment Parenting Groups have weekly gatherings at parks and regular family events.

Other regular gatherings of mothers and babies are meetings of La Leche League or Las Madres.  Or just go hang out at your local park when you see other young children there.

The San Mateo Mothers Club (SMMC) is a club open to moms with kids from birth to age six.

The San Carlos/Belmont Mothers' Club
 Baby Swim Classes - Abilities United Aquatic Services (formerly the Betty Wright Swim Center at CAR), (starting at 6 months of age) 3864 Middlefield Rd. (x Charleston), Palo Alto , 650-494-1480 - a heated, indoor pool suitable for newborns.  There's a similar facility in San Jose - the Almaden Valley Athletic Club. Or Aitkens Peninsula Swim School, (starting at 6 weeks of age) 1602 stafford st, Redwood City, CA 94063, (650) 366-9211
 The Mommy Lane, Jessica Woods, Career coaching, resources and support for moms - 831-212-6556, jessica@themommylane.com    Our workshops, support groups and one-on-one coaching sessions are geared towards your personal success as a woman and mother.
The Sutton Swim School in Cupertino has a strong emphasis on excellent water quality at a warm temperature appropriate for baby classes.

Mommy's Coach, Carrie Vawter-Yousfi - Avoid Chaos & Embrace Motherhood

BabyQigong, Los Altos, 650-949-1200 is a gentle, effective, and rejuvenating work-out for mommy and baby. Combining the meditative principles of Qigong - the Chinese relative of Yoga - with the strength of Pilates, and the endurance of kickboxing, this is an extraordinary, all-in-one workout that relaxes, strengthens, and stretches the body. Although the work-out is primarily for mom, baby movements and massage are also included.
Next Session:  Starts April 10, Days:   Mon, Wed, or Fri at 10 a.m., Call or email to reserve a spot., Price:   $150 for six weeks (12 classes)
Try it out: first class is FREE!, Attendance:  Limited to 15 participants per session, Babies ages 6 weeks ­ 9 months (or older if baby is not walking)

Oh, Baby! Motherhood(TM) is dedicated to helping women successfully transition into motherhood.  "Join us Mondays at 12 noon (pst) for our free mini-seminar (over the phone) Moving Into Motherhood. Email us at info@ohbabymotherhood.comor call us at 805.745.8048 for details."

Here are some other fun ways to celebrate the birth of your baby:

Local Birth Announcement

Getting a Copy of Your Medical Records

Request A Copy of Your Medical Records after the Birth!  An Idea Whose Time Has Come

This idea came from a researcher in the field of prenatal and perinatal psychology who observed that the people who have control of the information
have control of the research.  If you want to be able to participate in long-term research studies about your child's health as a side effect of the
procedures performed during pregnancy, labor and birth, and in the newborn nursery, then you will need to have a copy of your records.

"As a prenatal/perinatal therapist, such records can be invaluable in explaining a problem or validating a hunch about what happened to a baby/child
presenting symptoms of birth trauma. . . .[I]f it becomes routine for mothers to request their medical records, it's possible that hospitals will become a
bit less defensive about releasing them (fearing they'll be used to support litigation) and that the idea that this information is rightfully that of the parents
(and the baby, really) might become more accepted.  This would serve to support more and more research I see taking place down the pike as my
fellow students in our field explore different aspects of pregnancy and birth and empower families to learn more about how birth relates to how their
children think, feel and act in life. . . . So . . . let's think in terms of working towards having medical records of births easily and frequently released to
mothers who request them, and having mothers empowered to believe they are entitled to this data and that it can ultimately benefit their understanding
of their birth, and their child's well-being."

The researcher suggests asking for the full medical records (including nurses' notes) of their birth (and/or child's nursery stay).

Unexpected Outcomes

Community Association For Rehabilitation, Inc. - Provides services to individuals and their families who have developmental and other disabilities. The programs offered are designed for those who cannot obtain services elsewhere due to the severity of their problem..  415-494-0550
 

Postpartum Therapy for Maternal Birth Trauma

If you're experiencing physical symptoms, especially painful sex, there are probably local practitioners who can help you:

Dyspareunia  (painful sex) - You don't have to live with painful sex.  Proper diagnosis and multidisciplinary treatment can help you reduce or eliminate pain.  SF Bay Area sex therapists, gynecologist, and physical therapists explain sexual pain, dyspareunia, vulvodynia, and pelvic pain. (Denise Alberto, MPT, Mary Buxton, LCSW, Maia Chakerian, M.D.,  Annemarie Cosby, MPT, Paul D. Indman, M.D., Linda R. Janowitz, Ph.D., and Diane Morrissette, Ph.D.)  Diane Morrissette, PhD is an affiliated sex therapist - 220 California Ave Ste 115, Palo Alto, 650-494-8184  (Also a good referral for vaginismus.)

Candice Garrett offers a fabulous workshop on "The Female Pelvic Floor".  Check with her to find out when one will be in your area.

El Camino Hospital offers the Total Control Program, a series of educational and fitness classes to help women strengthen their pelvic floor.

Lindsay MacInnis, CMT, The Mommy Spa - Los Gatos - I'm a massage therapist specializing in Pregnancy Massage, injury and surgical recovery and Oncology Massage for people living with cancer. Over the past 8.5 years I have worked with many women who experienced pelvic pain during pregnancy.  I'd be happy to offer a $20 discount off your first visit if you'd like to try prenatal massage to see if it could provide some relief.

Denise Alberto - Physical Therapist - Denise knows a tremendous amount about traumas that can happen to pelvic organs during childbirth, and she can probably help you in a small number of appointments. Denise would be appropriate to help with cystocele, rectocele, pelvic adhesions from cesarean or scar tissue from episiotomy or any suturing.

The Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center specializes in physical therapy management of myofascial pelvic pain in pre- and postpartum women.

STAR Clinic Physical Therapy offers Pelvic floor rehabilitation for Pre and post-natal related conditions (including vulvodynia, coccyx pain, piriformis syndrome, sacro-iliac pain), 1350 Grant Road #14A, Mountain View, CA 94040, 650-965-1185

Dr. Andrew Cook, Vital Health Institute, 15055 Los Gatos Blvd, Suite 250, Los Gatos, CA 95032 - gynecologist specializing in chronic pelvic pain.

Dr. Renee Young offers therapies to soften up scarring from c-sections or perineal suturing. Naturopathic Medicine, Fox & Young Chiropractic and Naturopathic Health Center, 751 Blossom Hill Rd., Los Gatos, CA  95032, 408-761-6781.

See also: Recovering from Surgery

Taffy Dugan, CMT, CEIM does myofascial release and massage to soften up cesarean birth scars. taffy@serenebalance.com,  408-768-8186

Jenny Walker, DC has experience with Kinesio tape used postpartum for C section scars or just for general healing.  Some of the ways it helps are pain reduction, swelling reduction and reducing the risk of contractures to improve the range of motion.  We often use homeopathy or botanicals as well to help with healing.  408-891-8222 or  info@losgatoswellness.com.

Arnold Tayam, Doctor of Medical Qigong(China)..  He teaches qigong for several programs at Stanford University, including their IVF program.  He's also Professor of Qigong at Five Branches Acupuncture College, and maintains a clinical practice in San Jose.

Almost all postpartum women can benefit from some chiropractice care and a nice in-home massage.

Helena Women's Health - A World Leading Center for Treating Chronic Pelvic Pain - 2101 Forest Avenue, Suite 22,  San Jose, CA  95128, 408-999-7900

Dr. Jerome Weiss in San Francisco specializes in pelvic floor dysfunction.

Oxygen with Attitude Hyperbaric Healing Center, LLC - 1485 El Camino Real, Suite 101, Belmont, California 94002, 650-654-9268.  Treatments for wound healing and more.
 

Postpartum Therapy for Maternal Birth Trauma - Emotional

There are two very different approaches to postpartum depression:

• For mothers who just want medication and to move on with their lives, the SVPPMD list is a good list for women who agree with the medical world that all perinatal mood disorders are hormonal in nature and require allopathic treatment via psycho-pharmacology.  svppm - This Yahoo Group provides social support for sufferers and survivors of postpartum mood disorders (anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or psychosis) who live in Silicon Valley. It's not a structured support group, but we can point you to lots of resouces for professional help.  If you need to talk to someone in person, there's an unrelated local warmline for postpartum mental health issues at 1-888-773-7090. It's staffed by women who have recovered from a mood disorder.
• A different forum exists for those who want to address their experience in a more holistic manner and to ask more questions - such as:  how did my birth impact my postpartum experience, how do concerns about the huge changes in my life impact what I am feeling, what if my relationship is part of the problem, what if my baby's health is part of my concern, and what if this has all come about from being raised in a frightening family-of-origin?  Those folks may want to check out the Solace for Mothers site at www.solaceformothers.org where a discussion board addressing those other topics is active.  The Solace for Mothers list is moderated by 3 remarkable women who have been running a similar forum on the Mothering Dot Com site.

Discuss your birth with a midwife - Ronnie Falcao, LM MS is a midwife in Mountain View available to review your birth records with you and answer questions about what happened and what might have been.  650-961-9728.

PSI: Postpartum Support International - California referrals

Sally Clark, MA MFT, some office time in Mountain View - 650-969-3003 and 510-549-9401  - babies through adults explore prenatal issues and early imprinting through sandplay, art therapy, EMDR and regressive therapy.

Tessa Richardson, LCSW, 39785 Paseo Padre Pkwy Fremont, CA and 1197 Valencia St. San Francisco, CA, (888) 530-9633 - accepts insurance, blends Western psychotherapy with mindfulness-based practices, and treatment is solution-focused and goal-oriented.

Dolat Bolandi, MFT - Pregnancy and Postpartum Wellness Support Group -Support group for women that are pregnant or postpartum and are experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety. The group will meet once a week in Los Gatos and many insurance plans cover this service.  The initial appointment is a one on one session at the group rate to see if the group is a fit. My hope is to provide affordable treatment and support to more women in the bay area suffering from mood disorders during pregnancy and postpartum.  (408)264-0100

Tess Landey - ovenbuncoaching.com - in Berkeley but all sessions can be conducted in person, on the phone, or via Skype.

Marika Berman, MS, Emotional Freedom Techniques, "The Tapping Therapy" - some of my clients have benefited tremendously from this approach.  It is a somatic therapy that doesn't require analysis of the root of the problem.  Marika specializes in Pregnancy and Birth issues.  408-978-5427.  Call for a free 15 min. phone/Skype consultation.

Dolat Bolandi, MFT, 408-264-0100, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist both in private practice in Los Gatos, and at the MOMS program at El Camino hospital. "I specialize in working with pregnant and postpartum moms that may be struggling to adjust and/or having difficulties with depression and anxiety spectrum during this time. I also enjoy working with couples, and parenting issues. While I work under a medical structure in the hospital and appreciate what it can offer, I am also a firm believer that this is a very spiritual time in a woman's life, a time to heal, grow and experience the magnificence of pain and joy from within."

Amy Roberts, LMFCC (Palo Alto) 650-813-1317 - "Are you feeling overwhelmed with the emotional challenges of pregnancy, birth and early parenting?  Struggling with the emotional issues of infertility, miscarriage, or prenatal loss?"  Licensed therapist with 15 years experience working with perinatal issues. Group and individual support counseling for infertility, pregnancy, birth, postpartum.

Paula-Jo Husack, MA LMFT, CGP, 1838 El Camino Real, Suite 203, Burlingame, CA  94010, 650-343-4554

Jacki Silber, MS, LMFT, Sequoia Counseling Services, 165 Arch Street, Redwood City, CA 94062. 650-363-0383 ext.119, Jacki@postpartumdepressionhelp.net

Pec Indman EdD, MFT, 1475 Saratoga Ave. #140, San Jose, CA 95129, 408-255-1730, pec@beyondtheblues.com  beyondtheblues.com  Her web page has some very helpful sections on Miscarriage, Abortion, Neonatal Loss; Adjusting to Motherhood; Work-Life Juggling; Premenstrual Moods and Per-Menopause; Fertility Challenges; Trauma Related to Childbirth; When Survivors Give Birth.  She is also the Director of Women’s Health for regroup therapy; they offer online video support groups for moms with postpartum depression and anxiety.   You are not alone and support is now even closer and easier to access.

Caroline Cribari MD, PhD - a psychiatrist in Mtn. View specializing in women's mental health.  650-988-7874

Magda Wroblewska, MA, MS, LMFT, 17575 B Los Gatos - Almaden Road, Los Gatos, CA  95032, 408-356-8200, ext. 427, magda_w@yahoo.com  Magda specializes in reproductive traumas, i.e. miscarriages, abortions and late-pregnancy losses.

There's a possibility that a new ICAN chapter is forming in this area.  HURRAY!  If interested, contact Holli at 408-266-8566.

If your birth experience has affected your marriage in a negative way because of a decrease in your sexual interest that isn't caused by physical issues, it might be a good idea to get see a sexologist - Dr. Danielle Harel, 408-469-1989, Danielle@DareToEnjoy.com

Reichian therapy is a non-verbal "breathing" therapy to help free blocked energy and sexual dysfunction.  Michele T. Newmark, MS, DD has an ongoing private practice in Santa Rosa and in San Francisco at The Center for Healing and Expression.  She also hold classes on "Tantra, Yoga, and Breath, and Exploration of Sexual Energy".  Santa Rosa: 707-538-3778 and San Francisco: 415-775-6145.

Mary Buxton - special interest in helping new parents adjust to a "new healthy" sexuality after childbirth.  Licensed Clinical Social Worker  #LCS 7780, 3425 S. Bascom Ave., Suite F, Campbell, CA 95008, 408-371-4847, mbuxton@marybuxton.com

Denise Roy is an author, a psychotherapist, and a popular speaker.  She is available for marriage and family therapy.

See also Dr. Cohen and Rebecca Kurtz.
 

Therapy for Newborn Birth Trauma

Judy Modderman, Mountain View -  650-967-1486 - craniosacral adjustments for newborns

Kathleen Harper, CMT, Touch Blue Sky, 650-222-6538, massage@touchbluesky.com  Kathleen may be available to make home visits for craniosacral therapy for newborns.

Sylvia Boyd, Hayward -  510-538-3679 - craniosacral adjustments for newborns as part of her work.  Serving as a physical therapist who uses her therapy training to help babies latch successfully and nurse efficiently, Sylvia specializes in helping babies who can’t latch, can’t nurse both breasts, or cause the mother pain when nursing.

Oxygen with Attitude Hyperbaric Healing Center, LLC - 1485 El Camino Real, Suite 101, Belmont, California 94002, 650-654-9268.  Treatments for a variety of birth injuries: autism, Bells palsy, brain injury, seizures, wound healing and more.  This can also be helpful for prenatal "insults" such as cerebral palsy.

Tom McCook at Center of Balance offers craniosacral therapy for newborns. 1220 Pear Avenue, Suite i, Mountain View, CA 94043, (650) 967-6414

Step Ahead Infant Development with Dafna Golan Carbone,  650-646-5506, dafna@stepping-ahead.com - Offers free phone consultations

Jeremy Goldberg, CMT, offers Birth Integration Work, including craniosacral and vibrational therapy, to clear any stresses and tensions that a baby may be carrying related to birth or prenatal conditions.  650-630-0822, 652 Bair Island Road, Suite 306, Redwood City, CA 94063, jeremysgold@hotmail.com.Jeremy makes home visits, which can be a life-saver for a mom/baby with breastfeeding difficulties related to head compression during the birth.

Nancy Newbold, DC does cranial/sacral work with infants. Her primary office is in El Granada (near Half Moon Bay), but she sometimes sees clients at a Redwood City location and makes home visits!.  650-726-3300  To arrange for an appointment at the Redwood City location, tell them you were referred by Sandy Caldwell.

Harmony Birth Resources sometimes offers workshops on The Happiest Baby on the Block techniques taught by certified instructors.

Sadhana Stupar, CMT, NCTMB, Specializing in Craniosacral Therapy.  "I have had wonderful successes working with newborns.... correcting latch, torticollis, colic, etc.  i share an office with chiropractor, dr rob murray, and offer home visits on tuesdays and thursdays." 408-480-2210, 408-830-9264, craniosacral13@yahoo.com

Dr Marilyn Moss is a chiropractor in Los Gatos who does craniosacral on infants.

Cheryl Eichner specializes in cranial sacral work with infants and children.  650-868-0343

Myofascial Therapy Center in Campbell

Birth Resolution for Babies, Children and Families - MAIA Midwifery specializes in a form of bodywork/emotional work for babies that allows space for them to release and express their experiences of birth, prenatal life and early traumatic experiences. In Orinda.
 

Postpartum Therapy for Paternal/Partner Birth Trauma

Ollie Moore, the leader of Harmony's Dad/Partner Prep classes, may be available for individual conversation to help a dad process his experience.

Jonathan Bartlett MA LMFT has a Masters in Holistic therapy. His focus is on Couples Counseling, New Parent Coaching and Fatherhood issues.  401 Alberto Way, Suite #3, Los Gatos, 408-353-3791, jonathan@familywellbeing.net.  (Jonathan remains happily married to a local midwife with an active practice. Though he brings with him a deepened awareness of birth issues, the two are deeply committed to the confidentiality of their clients.)

Birthing From Within has an exercise for "Healing Your Birth Wounds"; some of our local BFW mentors might be available to work with dads as well as moms.

The Australian BirthRites site has a nice subsection on Men's Experiences

More information about Fatherhood
 

Sibling Adjustment and Couples Counseling

Marté J. Matthews, M.A., MFT, San Jose - marte@martejmatthewsmft.com or 408-887-7133, works with young children, including sibling issues.  She makes home visits!

Doug Drucker, Ph.D., 3803 S. Bascom, Ste. 210, Campbell, CA  95008, 408-377-3510
 
 

Blessingways
 

A blessingway is a prenatal gathering of a pregnant woman with her close friends and supporters to focus their intentions for a safe, gentle birth.  It can be a very meaningful experience for all involved.

Carol Fitzgerald, 1325 Cowper, Palo Alto, CA  94301  650-322-9841

Kristen Johnson  is offering a service where the guests make a silk scarf for you at your baby shower or blessingway.  Silk painting is fun and easy and rewarding - it always turns out vibrant and lush. 650-493-4383 or email graffikdezine@comcast.net

Reiki, Energy Work or Spiritual Counseling

Rebecca Kurtz, 650-796-1312 - Rebecca is temporarily living in an other state but is available for phone sessions.  Rebecca offers treatment of newborns and babies as well as the whole family.

The Reiki Center of the East Bay is developing a program that supports and empowers parents, starting with pregnancy, to accelerate healing and provide well-being for their infants and children, as well as themselves.  This program is especially helpful for families with a high-risk pregnancy, and parents of preemies, sick, and colicky babies.   Meg Siddheshwari Sullivan, RN, MS, Reiki Master, 510-653-9884, Siddheshwari@ReikiCenterEastBay.com

Sharon Allen, CMT, Health Enhancement, 885 N. San Antonio Rd., Suite J, Los Altos, CA  94022  650-968-2293, sharallen@earthlink.net - Mindfulness-based stress reduction, Meditation instruction, Massage therapy - Certified in Transpersonal Studies and Certified Massage Therapist

Reiki Clinics in Mountain View are held on the second Monday of every month from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Come and enjoy an evening of peaceful energy. Stay as long or as short as you like. Volunteer practitioners are welcome to give Reiki. Everyone is welcome. Love offerings are accepted.

Healing Body Work

Rami Nagel, Santa Cruz, Hands On Healing, 831-429-2009, author of Healing Our Children
 

Counseling

Maternal Outreach Mood Services  El Camino Hospital in Mountain View recently became one of only two health care organizations in the country to offer inpatient treatment to expectant and recent mothers grappling with severe mood disorders related to pregnancy.  [story from the Mountain View Voice]


The Perinatal Treatment Program at CPMC aims to help perinatal women with unmet mental health needs quickly access specialty care with expert psychiatrists and psychologists. Perinatal women (from pre-conception to a year postpartum) are encouraged to call the Perinatal Triage Line at 415-600-3637.

California Resource Page for PSI - Postpartum Support International is dedicated to helping women suffering from perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, including postpartum depression, the most common complication of childbirth.  They may be able to help you find Medi-Cal providers.

Sharon Storton moved back to Canada in May, 2012.  Sharon was a shining light in our local birth community.  We'll miss her terribly.

Jessica Sorci, MA worked with Sharon Storton and is now working as an MFT intern.   408-345-5572, jessicasorci@hotmail.com.  Jessica specializes in postpartum moods and challenges, including postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, sadness and guilt.  She also facilitates a bi-weekly Adjusting to Motherhood drop-in support group. at The Miri Center, 1165 Lincoln Ave., Suite 220, San Jose, CA  95125

Alisa Nowik Stern, Psy. D., Licensed Psychologist, 345 South California Ave., Ste. 2, Palo Alto, CA  94306, 650-644-5358, dralisastern@gmail.com Prenatal and Postpartum Psychological Services.  Alisa offers Pregnancy Groups, Mom-Baby Groups, Parent-Child Therapy as well as Individual, Couples and Family Therapy.

Elizabeth Eastman LCSW, 650-283-6814 -  Individual and couples counseling provided in your home for issues of postpartum, relationships, self-esteem, infertility, transitions. Office appointments also available. email: EEastmanLCSW@hotmail.com

Lynette Danylchuk, San Mateo, 650-572-2710

Eva Roodman, Clinical Social Worker, 350 Second St Suite 1, Los Altos, CA, 650-714-1839, general practice, emphasizing work around birth and postpartum issues, including parenting, marital transition,etc.

Pec Indman EdD, MFT, 85 Saratoga Ave. #127, Santa Clara, CA 95051, (408) 252-5552  beyondtheblues.com

If you're looking for nutritional support in addition to counseling, try Dr. Kunin in San Francisco. He is very eccentric to say the very least but he does a series of tests to find out where ( what vitamins) you are deficient in and then puts you on Mega dose.  He also formulated the Ola Loa drinks. Packages are sold at Whole Foods.  He doesn't take insurance and is very $$$.

Michelle Kalehzan, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist, 1059 El Monte Avenue, Mountain View, CA, 94040  408-792-3232, michelle@psych.stanford.edu  Specializes in working with women with depression, and particularly mothers with postpartum depression.  She is very supportive of homebirth and alternative birth practices, so she is especially appropriate for women whose disappointments in their birth experience might be discounted by those who consider a healthy baby the only important component of a good outcome.

Sally Clark, MA MFT, some office time in Mountain View - 650-969-3003 and 510-549-9401  - babies through adults explore prenatal issues and early imprinting through sandplay, art therapy, EMDR and regressive therapy.

Dayna Reader, LMFT, 650-483-8893, 501 first ave. in downtown san mateo - lots of experience working with sexual abuse survivors - works with women about fears about labor/birth.

Angela Maldonado-Nunes, MA, MFC, 408-813-1885, Individual, Couple and Family Psychotherapy, Focusing on couple and new parent issues

Sara Darnley comes very highly recommended as being down-to-earth, genuine, non-judgemental, sharp, intuitive, knowledgeable and with a great understanding of the complexity of family systems!  Campbell, 408-267-4702.

Amy Roberts, LMFCC (Palo Alto) 650-813-1317 - "Are you feeling overwhelmed with the emotional challenges of pregnancy, birth and early parenting? Struggling with the emotional issues of infertility, miscarriage, or prenatal loss?"  Licensed therapist with 15 years experience working with perinatal issues. Group and individual support counseling for infertility, pregnancy, birth, postpartum.

Paula-Jo Husack, MA LMFT, CGP, 1838 El Camino Real, Suite 203, Burlingame, CA  94010, 650-343-4554

There are a couple of support groups available for parents that are pregnant after a previous loss, one in Redwood City, and one at CPMC, which
is drop-in, and free.

Jenny Robertson moderates an on-line support group - svppmd@yahoogroups.com

Counseling and Assistance for Grief and Loss

KARA in Palo Alto provides grief counseling for adults and children free of charge. 650-321-5272

Chandrama Anderson, MA, MFT, Palo Alto, CA 650-575-2167.  We are very fortunate to have Chandrama in our community.  She is the author of No U-Turn at Mercy Street: A Memoir and Resource Guide for Grieving Parents.  She is the obvious choice for couples who are having relationship problems related to the loss of a child.

HAND of the Peninsula - Helping After Neonatal Death, is a non-profit, volunteer group founded in the early 1980's to provide support and information to bereaved parents, their families and friends following a miscarriage, stillbirth, or newborn death.  They are located in Northern California, (650) 367-6993.  In an emergency, call the 24 Hour Crisis Line: (650) 579-0350, (888) 220-7575 (toll free)

HAND support group meetings for Santa Clara take place the first and third Thursdays of each month starting at 7:30pm in Los Gatos. 408-358-5640. 24 Hour Telephone Support: 1-888-908-HAND (1-888-908-4263) is staffed by professionally trained support volunteers through Contact Cares (contactcares.org) Please ask the counselor to leave a message for "HAND".

Now I lay me down to sleep - Volunteer Infant Bereavement Photography -  an organization of professional photographers, volunteering their time and services to parents experiencing an early infant loss.  There are no fees to the parents for the services NILMDTS provides.

Hypnosis/Hypnotherapy (see also Hypnobirthing)

Carol Daly offers childbirth preparation and comes highly recommended. 745 Distel Drive, Suite #20, Los Altos, CA  94022650-969-3167

Andrea Walker, Spirit Vision Hypnotherapy, 388 2nd Street, Los Altos CA 94022, 408-355-5779, andrea@spiritvisionhypno.com

Barbara A. Kulle, 2500 Hospital Drive, Building 10, Mountain View, 94040, 650-949-3362 - Medical hypnotherapy for stress reduction, fertility enhancement, hypertension, breech, labor coping techniques.

Other issues: Palo Alto School of Hypnotherapy, Palo Alto 650-321-6419

Doulas with Hypnosis Experience
Rhonda Taylor, 408-448-4082

For general hypnosis, we're fortunate to have a renowned expert with offices in Los Altos -  Dr. Emmett Miller - call 530 478-1807 for appointments.
 
 

In addition to doulas who provide comfort measures in the home during labor, homebirth midwives will sometimes also provide in-home midwifery care in early labor, including fetal monitoring and assessing the mother's well-being and the progress of labor - this kind of care is also called monitrice care. They provide midwifery care in your home until you decide it's time to go to the hospital, and then they accompany you to provide doula care in the hospital.

As of November, 2006, these two midwives are most active in providing monitrice services:

Rosanna M. Davis, LM, CPM, Palo Alto, 650-964-2229

     Faith Gibson, LM, CPM, community midwife, Palo Alto, 650-328-8491

During the week immediately after giving birth, it can be an ordeal for a woman to have to leave her home to seek health care.
This is especially true for breastfeeding women, who would need to take their babies with them.
The following healthcare providers will make house calls:

Insurance Coverage for In-Home Postpartum Care

The owner of this website is Ronnie Falcao, LM MS, a homebirth midwife in Mountain View, CA.
In addition to the obvious house calls for her own homebirth clients, Ronnie is also available to provide
comprehensive European-style in-home midwifery care and lactation assistance to women after they've come home
from giving birth in the hospital.

Other local homebirth midwives might also be available for in-home postpartum midwifery care.

Lactation Consulting

Midwives, Pediatricians and Doctors Who Make Home Visits

Dr. Tina Roach-Gagnon, BS, DC, QME, is sometimes available to come to your home to perform craniosacral adjustments.

Dr. Destia Skinner will make home visits to do craniosacral adjustments of newborns of current patients.

Jeremy Goldberg, CMT, offers Birth Integration Work, including craniosacral and vibrational therapy.

Cindi Ignatovsky, L.Ac., acupuncture for postpartum depression and lactation issues.

Postpartum Massage In-Home
 

Herbalists

Pam Caldwell, HerbLore, General health for the whole family, specializing in pregnancy, birth and postpartum.  Santa Clara 408-249-8858, 877-808-5815.  Pam offers phone consultations, and her herbal products are available at local retail outlets.

Bridget Owen, Sweet Herb Medicinals provides consultations and educational workshops in order to teach techniques on how to make and administer herbal protocols, flower essences and aromatherapy for healthy living and gracefully aging.

Ms. Marshall Riley, Los Gatos, 408-354-9066.  She is a licensed acupunturist who specializes in women's issues.

Where to Purchase Herbs, Homeopathics, Supplements, Aromatherapy Oils, etc.

Herb Lore has some local retail outlets.

Sweet Herb Medicinals has some local retail outlets.

Ancient Ways has an extensive catalog of herbsavailable in the store - 4075 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, California 94609, 510-653-3244

MichaelaBoldy's fabulous essential oil Labor Blends are available from Maternal Connections at El Camino Hospital, Blossom Birth (25% of profits are supporting Blossom), or directly from www.mbaromatherapy.com.

The excellent combination of oral acidophilus capsules and vaginal acidophilus suppositories (called Gy-Na-Tren) is available at the Whole Foods in Cupertino (and by special order at any Whole Foods store) and at the House of Nutrition, 1371 Lincoln Ave., San Jose.

Whole Foods also carries 5-W.

As far as I know, it is not possible to purchase Doctor Christopher's Prenatal Tea locally.

Peggy's Health Center in downtown Los Altos carries some hard-to-find products. 151 1st St, Los Altos, CA 94022, (650) 948-9191

Fertility Resources

There are numerous high-tech fertility counseling and treatment centers in this area - here are some sophisticated practices using low-tech resources.

norcalfertility.com - a professional group of affiliated Acupuncturists who specialize in the holistic treatment of Infertility in the Bay Area

Rachel Schneyer, M.S., L.Ac, D.OM, FABORM is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist.  Rachel has undergone extensive training in the holistic treatment of Infertility and its associated conditions.

Rachel Cooley - Holistic Fertility Coach, Palo Alto, 650-521-2824, www.littlemiraclesconception.com, rachel@littlemiraclescone

Conscious Conception is a combination of wellness teachings and tools to assist you into stepping into--or allowing--your own highest light, first-- before you step into the most honorable role possible, motherhood.  Rev. Elisabeth Manning, 415-306-3079, teaches classes at Blossom Birth Resource Center in Palo Alto, consciousconception@yahoo.com

Tatyanna Teeuwisse L.Ac. - (conscious) conception, detoxification and preparation for conception and/or working to enhance fertility

The four acupuncturists at Harmony Acupuncture specialize in Reproductive Health, Pregnancy, and Women’s health, 920 Hillview Ct. #140, Milpitas,CA 95035, 408-941-9229

Eunice Kan, L.Ac., Live Well Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine,  1860 El Camino Real, Suite 236, Burlingame, CA 94010, 415-235-2710.  Eunice is an acupuncturist and an herbalist and specializes in women's health (fertility, menopause, prenatal, postpartum etc.)

Wellness Within – A clinic for infertility and gynecology, Claudia B. Wolfe, L.Ac. and Associates, 744 San Antonio Rd., Palo Alto, CA  94303, 650-858-8048 and 1815 Hamilton Ave., San Jose, CA  95125, 408 978 9851.

Malu Rydfors, Clinique Asiatique, Redwood Ciy, acupuncturist, herbalist and primary care giver - Malu takes a holistic and integrative approach to health and works in concert with Western medical practitioners to provide comprehensive care to her patients.  Her specialty lies in Women’s Health, particularly issues relating to emotional wellness, menstrual irregularites, PMS, hormonal inbalance, and fertility enhancement for both women and men.

Cindi Ignatovsky, L.Ac.

Kimberley Davis, OMD, LAc.

Kimberly Silsby, L.Ac., 745 Distel Drive, #206-207, Los Altos, CA 94022, 408-834-3161.

Roxanne Paolini, CHt., Integrative & Wellness Medical Center of Silicon Valley, 15891 Los Gatos-Almaden Rd., Suite 100, Los Gatos, CA  95032, 408-268-3950.  Roxanne is a Fertility Therapist.

Douglas Husbands, DC, CCN, ABAAHP, Rivera Chiropractic Group, 1168 El Camino Real, San Carlos, CA 94070, 650-802-8700.  In addition to chiropractic support, Dr. Husbands also offers pre-conception nutritional counseling to reduce your chances of conceiving a baby with Downs Syndrome.  doctor@drhusbands.com

Pam Caldwell, HerbLore, General health for the whole family, specializing in pregnancy, birth and postpartum.  Santa Clara 408-249-8858, 877-808-5815.  Pam offers phone consultations, and her herbal products are available at local retail outlets.

Maia Midwifery and Preconception Services - "Maia's reputation as the premiere preconception center for lesbians, bisexual women and single women is well-known throughout the country."  They are also serving an ever-growing number of single heterosexual women, and partnered straight women who are experiencing fertility challenges. 925-253-0685  They often work with women to identify the small window of opportunity for IUI to co-ordinate complementary services with Michelle Edgar, LM, who does the IUI.

At Home Fertility - Intrauterine inseminations at home with a midwife

Susan G Hall, MA, CMT, CST - a craniosacral practitioner who works with a wide range of issues, including endocrine problems, especially those related to stress and/or pituitary dysfunction due to craniosacral issues.

See also: Getting Pregnant/Infertility
 

Perimenopausal Resources

Marilyn Moss, D.C.

Patricia Muller, MD

Kimberley Davis, OMD, LAc.

Dr. Marina Rose, DC, gets great results in treating perimenopausal issues with herbals, enzymes, topical and oral progesterone and homeopathics.  949 Sherwood Avenue, Los Altos, CA  94022 650-383-8853

Tatyana Teeuwisse, L. Ac., Los Gatos - works in depth with peri/menopause conditions mostly using diet, herbs and acupuncture and very occasionally with natural progesterone--with very good success.

Many practitioners who work beyond the limitations of the mainstream medical model offer holistic perimenopausal support - consider some of the Integrative Medicine HealthCare Providers - MDs with an Expanded Practice, Nutritionists, Chiropractics, Acupuncture, Naturopathy, Osteopaths, Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda,

Tedde Rinker (female), MD in Redwood City, 650-367-1988, specializes in anti aging and hormones.

Please e-mail me with additional suggestions for this subsection.

Birth Art and Photography - These are local artists who specialize in birth-related art and have appeared at local birth events.

Mother-Art

Women Can Drum

Vortex Green Jewelry

Andrea Berkey, Artist, Berkey Studio, The Art Within, 408-307-8046, e-mail: AndreaBerkey@sbcglobal.net

Michelle Tibbils, Bugs and Butterflies Phootgraphy, Campbell, Maternity/Babies/Children Photography, 408-379-0905, michelle@bugsandbutterfliesphotography.com
 

Supplies

Organic Mattresses - outgassing from synthetic substances has been blamed for some cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Essentia - Their Berkeley store carries an Organic crib mattress made with natural latex and the World's only Natural Memory Foam.

Lifekind's Organic Mattresses & bedding in Grass Valley, CA.  They sell organic crib mattresses.

European Sleep Works in Berkeley, CA

RECLAIM - Healthy Green Home - Healthy Children's Furniture, Bedding, Clothing and Accessories

Domperidone prescriptions can be filled at the Los Altos Pharmacy who compounds the medication and is very familiar with it.

We're lucky to have a local source for The Prenatal Cradle and other pregnancy support devices, including back, abdominal, and vulvar supports - Liz Summerhayes, 408-395-2100.  It's also possible that they're carried at El Camino Hospital (650-988-7752)

Source for plaster bandages for making a pregnancy belly cast: Palo Alto Orthopedic Co., 3910 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto, 650-813-9300, in the same little shopping center as Piazza's, next to the art supplies place.  It costs about $20 to make a single cast.

Maternity Clothes - One of my clients says she buys her clothes at Baby on the Way, 10123 N. Wolfe Road, Vallco Shopping Center,
Cupertino, CA  94118, (408) 253-4675.  She says the prices aren't as high as some other local stores. (Note - This may have closed.)
Other recommendations:  Motherhood store in Westfield Valley Fair had good prices, and they have an outlet store in Gilroy; there's a Motherhood Maternity outlet store at the Great Mall in Milpitas.

Jobst Support Garments - Footwear, Etc. on Stevens Creek in Cupertino (near Whole Foods) carried Jobst stockings as of 08/05; I'm not sure whether they were the "medical grade" stockings.  You can also use Jobst's Store Locator.

Kinesio Tape - On Your Mark in Los Altos. You can use Kinesio Tape to help provide belly and back support when you don't want to wear a bulky or hot support garment.  They will also do the taping for you; it lasts 3-5 days.

Moldable Shoe Insoles for Changing Feet - On Your Mark in Los Altos.  They carry a variety of arch support insoles, but the ones most useful to pregnant mamas might be the heat-moldable ones that can be reshaped up to five times to accommodate changes throughout pregnancy.

Episiotomy Wall of Shame

Miscellaneous Miscellaneous

Tuberculosis Blood Test

You can get the QuantiFERON-TB Gold Test blood test as alternative to skin prick test at our local Quest Diagnostics labs through your midwife or doctor; the test code is #47470. It is apparently also available at the Mills Laboratory in San Mateo and the San Francisco Department of Health at 415-554-2800.  Lisa Walsh, DC , Vitality Chiropractice Center in Belmont is also able to perform non-invasive TB testing - 650-342-4623.

"TempusClinic is the major clinic providing "Advanced Early Detection Diagnostics™" of life threatening diseases and the reversal of three primary chronic diseases: Type–2 Diabetes, Osteoporosis and Cardiovascular Disease through its proprietary "Metabolic Hormonal Transformation Therapeutics™"."

Cervical Caps

You can get cervical caps at Palo Alto Medical Foundation in the OB/GYN dept.

Indoor Swimming Pool

Perinatal Swim Classes: Abilities United Aquatic Services (formerly the Betty Wright Swim Center at CAR), 3864 Middlefield Rd. (x Charleston), Palo Alto , 650-494-1480

"Deep water immersion", i.e. up to your waist or shoulders, can be very beneficial for problems such as swelling/edema or hypertension or for doing special exercises.  There are a couple of public-access places that might meet your needs:  Watercourse Way in Palo Alto, (650) 462-2000.  [Apparently, they deny access to all pregnant women because they can't control the temperature enough to be sure it won't cause  harm.  I find this attitude disturbing - it denies women access to facilities which could actually improve their health.  Perhaps a good informed consent waiver would protect them as well without putting them in a policing role]  Also try Easter Seals Timpany Center in the Santa Clara County Building, San Jose.  [Read about watsu at the Timpany Center.]

You can read more about Watsu for pregnancy: Watsu: Water Massage, PREGNANCY and WATER, Watsu® for Pregnancy, Watsu for Pregnancy

Julie Lefmann, CMT, Certified Watsu Therapist, Birth Doula, 408-529-8031

Steven Rice, CMT, 650.814.3949 offers Watsu, a relaxing aquatic bodywork done in a warm swimming pool.  Be floated, passively moved and gently stretched in the weightless support of the water. Nurturing, supportive and soothing.  Partners or friends welcome as company.  www.flowing-touch.com

Tashi Holistic Health Services has beautiful Watsu facilities, and their 98-degree policy avoids the concerns about hot water for pregnant women..  Unfortunately, it's some distance away - in the Oakland Hills.
 

Sleep Consultants

Noelle Cochran (noelle@symbiosf.com) is a Sleep Consultant for children.

Elissa Gilbertson helps with newborn and baby sleep education.  I hear rave reviews about her.

Prenatal Swim Classes

Prenatal Swim Classes - Betty Wright Swim Center at CAR, 3864 Middlefield Rd. (x Charleston), Palo Alto , 650-494-1480 - a heated, indoor pool for stress-free lounging.

Check with your local YWCA or YMCA for prenatal swim classes

Baby Swim Classes

If your waterbirth baby wants to keep returning to the bliss of the water . . . these swim clubs offer baby classes:

Almaden Valley Athletic Club, 5400 Camden Ave, San Jose, CA 95124, 408.445.4900, marketing@avac.us

De Anza Cupertino Aquatics (DACA), runs the DACA Swim School, 1080 S. De Anza Blvd, San Jose, CA 95129, 408-446-5600
 

Home-Schooling Support

The Whisman School District offers an Independent Study Program (I.S.P.) directed by Lee Carty, which may provide free textbooks, games and supplies to homeschooling families.  This program offers students enrichment classes such as art and music, a computer lab and monthly field trips.  This program is open to people outside the Whisman School District. I don't have any contact information for them, but it should be readily available through the City of Mountain View.

South Bay F.R.E.E. Scholars - Family Resources Educating for Excellence - Homeschool Support in the South Bay Area

The School of Choice in Sunnyvale offers AP classes and testing for home schoolers.

Waldorf in the Home hosts an annual conference in Fair Oaks (near Sacramento).

Tutoring

Math tutor - I was a math major in college and particularly loved it, but I know that some kids struggle with it.  Sean Azarin can help your child blossom in their math studies.

Medications Disposal 

Pregnancy-friendly Head Lice Treatment

The LoveBugs®  Salon uses the LoveBugs® non-toxic, lice removal technique and special formula. 4037 El Camino Way, Palo Alto, CA, 650-493-5423.  They offer a FREE head lice check - just call for an appointment.
 

Really Miscellaneous

Asian American Donor Program - "The Asian American Donor Program (AADP) is a community non-profit organization geared towards saving lives.  Asians are desperately needed to register as potential marrow/stem cell donors.  Many Asian children and adults with life treatening blood diseases need a stem cell transplant in order to survive.  Their best hope for matched donors are those within their Asian community.  You could be a "miracle match" and save a life by registering as a potential donor."  Contact Joan C. Yamamoto - Umbilical Cord Blood Outreach Coordinator at 510-568-2700 or 800-59-DONOR.

You can get State Disability Insurance claim forms through the mail - call 408-277-9581 or 408-277-9582 or 800-480-3287.

In Nov., 2007, I received an e-mail from Stewart University of America announcing a new graudate nurse midwifery program.  They are based in San Jose but don't yet have a campus?  408-436-8595.

AuPairCare - Live-In Childcare, Deb Goetz, Area Director, deb_aupaircare@yahoo.com, 408-649-5844

Tiny Tots Diaper Service and Baby Boutique - 138 Railway Avenue, Campbell, CA 95008, 408.866.2900, Ext. 301, 800.794.5437, Ext. 301
Tiny Tots has been a stalwart supporter of local birth events and has hosted several "Meet The Experts" Forums.  They're great!!!

Linda Handley, New Doula offering Low-Cost Doula Services, $200-$500, sliding scale, 831-425-1233, linda_reb@yahoo.com

Bringing Home Baby!, Heather G. Lovejoy, U.S. Wester Pacific Director for DONA, may be able to refer you to low-cost birth and postpartum doulas on a sliding scale basis, 408-315-6521

Insulin Potentiation Therapy (IPT) - Alternative Cancer Chemotherapy that is Gentle, without major side effects...

doulabirthconnection Yahoo! group is to connect newly trained birth doulas with pregnant women seeking free or low cost doula services.

Midwives Who've Gone on to Other Work

Jean Rasch, Attorney at Law - Elder Law, Estate Planning, Asset and Medi-Cal Planning, Trust and Probate Administration, Special Needs Trusts, 1190 Chestnut St., Menlo Park, CA  94025, 650-331-7288, jean@jeanrasch.com.  Offices also in Monterey, 831-647-9200

Breast Thermograms Instead of Mammography/Mammograms

Holistic Dentists

Dr. Richard Evans, DDS. 14501 S Bascom Ave. Los Gatos, CA 95032 408-371-4050. He does outstanding restorative work, i.e. crowns, etc., and he was able to diagnose and treat a painful condition that two other highly recommended dentists missed.  Dr. Evans also specializes in holistic removal of mercury amalgam, and can refer for some IV chelation followup treatments.  This is a top notch office, with a commitment to good pain relief and customer satisfaction.  The staff are amazing . . . always pleasant, cheerful, and doing their best to make your dental appointment something you can look forward to.  Kristen Wharton, RDA, is at the front desk, and Raphaela Nyblom, RDAEF, and Elena Ungureanu, RDA, are the excellent assistants in the treatment rooms.

Dr. Jeffrey Krupp, endodontist for root canals -  3994 S. Bascom, Ste. 5, San Jose, 408-371-1444.  His anesthesia and technique are so good that you leave there feeling like you could do it all over again.  This guy is fantastic!!!  He seems more holistic than many, i.e. careful when he's drilling through mercury.

Scott Loman in San Jose, 408 226-1060 [has retired?]

Timothy Gallagher in Sunnyvale, (408) 739-9050

If you are willing to make the trek, I would highly recommend Dr. Landerman in Sebastopol.  He is a great biological dentist and worth the drive!

Holistic Pediatric Dentists

Simon Morris DDS on 14507 Bascom Avenue, 408-356-9101, Fantastic. Doesn't recommend anything unnecessary. AND he is against the use of fluoride drops (which our pediatrician recommends all the time). Has three young children of his own. Can't recommend him enough

Dr. Davydova, DDS, 1273 South Mary Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94087, 408-749-8235

Randy Miller DDS, 408-866-9252, 2290 Winchester, Campbell.  Comments: doing really interesting work in palate growth, and can evaluate your child's mouth, palate and overall growth based on his research.

Donna Cotner, Family Dentistry, 10011 N. Foothill Blvd, Suite 112, Cupertino, CA, 408-255-2550

Murakami Randy DDS, 14547 S Bascom Ave_Los Gatos CA, 95032 ­ 2003, 408-358-3030.  Very gentle and conservative.
 

Holistic Veterinarians

Dr. Sara Skiwski - The Western Dragon. She generally has office hours once/week at Adobe Animal Hospital in Los Altos.