Having a baby is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make. Deciding where to give birth should be easier. You will want the best medical care available for you and your baby, some of the comforts of home and the caring support of your family and people you trust.
The Women and Children's Center at California Pacific is renowned for the excellent services we provide for mothers and infants. Our health care providers are highly trained, with experience that comes from delivering more than 6,000 babies a year. We are dedicated to educating you at each step of the way so you can make the best decisions for you and your family.
At California Pacific, we believe our Women & Children's Center sets the standard for what a childbirth program needs to be. We offer the finest obstetrical and newborn services, and a caring environment in which to enjoy one of life's most memorable moments. By providing the latest medical advancements delivered by an experienced team, we give you peace of mind, knowing that you and your baby are receiving the finest care possible.
Here is a snapshot of our Women & Children's Center:
• >7,000 babies born in 2006
• 58 Labor/Delivery/Recovery/Post-Partum Rooms
Please select from one of the following to read more about our childbirth program:
- Family-Centered Care
- Labor-Delivery-Recovery Rooms
- Leading-Edge Technology
- Experienced Health Care Team
- Ongoing Care You Need
- Newborn Connections
- Location and Tours
- Frequently Asked Questions by our Expectant Moms
Family-Centered Care
A Commitment to Giving You the Birth Experience You Want
The birth of your baby is a unique experience. You may wish to share the occasion with your partner at your side or surrounded by family and friends. We welcome you and your family to define your birthing experience.
Do you want to listen to your favorite CD while giving birth? Or ease your contractions in the shower? Our 21 labor-delivery-recovery (LDR) rooms provide a comfortable, private atmosphere for the delivery of your baby.
If you opt for one of the many forms of natural childbirth, our staff is there to offer coaching and comfort. Should you decide that you want something more for pain, our obstetrical anesthesiologists are available on-site, 24 hours a day. In addition to your physician or midwife, our nursing staff works with you throughout the labor process. Our nurses are specially trained—with an average of 15 years of service in caring for new mothers and babies.
We recognize the Bay Area's diversity and are sensitive to patients' cultural needs. Many of our staff are bilingual and on-site translators are also available. Our childbirth team respects patients' birthing customs, supporting the unique traditions you and your family bring to the celebration of birth.
Labor-Delivery-Recovery Rooms
Our Labor-Delivery-Recovery (LDR) rooms offer a home-like atmosphere and ample space for your family. Each room is equipped with a private bathroom and easy chair for the comfort of you and your support person. We also have family waiting rooms and kitchen facilities for your use.
Leading-Edge Technology
The Latest Advancements for Your Peace of Mind
Our aim is to provide comprehensive care to all women, including those with the most sensitive pregnancies. Accordingly, the State of California has designated our Women and Children's Center as a Level III perinatal and neonatal center, meaning that we have the highest level of equipment and professionals on staff. For critical care patients in outlying areas, we offer round-the-clock transport services to our Women and Children's Center.
Some technology and advancements that may be of comfort to you include:
State-of-the-art Ultrasound
Our advanced ultrasound technology provides remarkably detailed pictures that can help identify fetal abnormalities or provide assurance that all is well. Available at our Women and Children's Center in San Francisco, this program also has outreach sites in the North Bay and Peninsula to offer additional convenience.
Prenatal Diagnosis and Genetic Counseling Program
California Pacific offers the largest genetics program in Northern California, providing the latest advancements in genetic testing to women with a family history of genetic problems or concerns about birth defects. Services include genetic counseling, amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling (CVS), nuchal translucency (NT) and carrier screening for a variety of inherited diseases.
Diabetes and Pregnancy Program
This program helps women with diabetes and those who develop gestational diabetes to have a better chance at a healthy and successful pregnancy by offering diabetes assessment, education and individualized counseling.
Antepartum Testing Center
Staffed by nurses and physicians specializing in high-risk pregnancy, our antepartum program offers care for women who experience pre-term labor, or any complication that may otherwise put a healthy pregnancy at risk. 
Breastfeeding Education and Support
We want to help you get breastfeeding off to the best start possible. Our nurses are trained in breastfeeding support and our lactation consultants are available for additional assistance if the nurses identify that this is needed. We encourage you to attend "Breastfeeding Essentials," a free class offered daily and facilitated by one of our lactation consultants. After you return home, Newborn Connections offers continuing breastfeeding assistance and consultation.
Experienced Health Care Team
A Childbirth Team You Can Trust
The reassurance of working with an experienced health care team takes some of the anxiety out of childbirth. With our staff of highly skilled physicians and nurses, our Women and Children's Center assures you and your newborn outstanding health care—-and the comfort of knowing you're being cared for by a childbirth team you can trust.
Our team delivers more than 6,000 babies a year—-that's about 16 newborns a day—-all with the personal attention and compassion you desire. No matter what time of day, our doctors are available to consult and help you. We understand that each birth is a unique experience and encourage you to share your birth plan or questions ahead of time with your physician.
Ongoing Care You Need
A Resource for Your Family's Health
As your child grows and your family's health needs evolve, California Pacific offers a continuum of care to meet the community's needs at every stage. We have more private pediatric physicians on staff than any other Bay Area hospital, all of whom bring superb training, expert skills and compassion to caring for your child.
Should the need arise, California Pacific offers numerous pediatric specialty programs, both in San Francisco and at outreach sites throughout the Bay Area. These programs, which include pediatric pulmonology, neurology, hematology/oncology, cardiology and gastroenterology, offer medical care and support to families of children with chronic and/or complex illnesses. Additionally, our Child Development Center is a valuable resource if your child faces developmental or learning difficulties.
For adolescents and adults, California Pacific provides a spectrum of services including our Women's Health Resource Center (WHRC), a program dedicated to women's health concerns. The Resource Center provides education and services on reproductive health, depression, gynecologic cancer recovery and menopause, tailored to your health needs.
Newborn Connections
California Pacific's Newborn Connections is a fabulous resource for expectant and new parents, offering classes, videos and baby and breastfeeding supplies. Newborn Connection's support groups give new parents needed information and classes include prenatal and postpartum education and breastfeeding assistance.
Location and Tours
The Women & Children's Center is located on our California Campus at:
3700 California Street (see map)
San Francisco, CA 94118
Tel. (415) 750-6003
We offer numerous tours weekly. To sign up for a tour or any childbirth-related classes, contact:
Newborn Connections
3698 California Street, First Floor
San Francisco, CA 94118
Tel. (415) 600-BABY (2229)
email: cpmcnewborn@sutterhealth.org
Frequently Asked Questions by our Expectant Moms
Curious about giving birth at California Pacific? Please see some of the frequently asked questions we receive from expectant moms and partners.
We have also developed extensive health information about labor and delivery,, caring for your new baby, changes moms experience after giving birth and breastfeeding and bottlefeeding.
