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Nurse Midwifery at SFGH

Midwifery at ZSFG

The Nurse-Midwives of Zuckerberg San Francisco General have cared for women and families during pregnancy, childbirth, and after childbirth since 1975. Having a baby is an important event in the life of a family, and we approach each woman and family as special and unique. Our goal is to help women and their babies stay safe and healthy, to preserve faith in pregnancy and birth as normal parts of life, and to prepare families for the many changes that lie ahead.

Here are some of our services:

  • You will have midwives care for you throughout your pregnancy, labor, birth and the postpartum period.
  • You can choose to get your midwifery care at the Obstetrics, Midwifery & Gynecology Clinic (5M) at ZSFG, the Mission Neighborhood Health Center, or the Excelsior Clinic.
  • Pregnancy care is offered either in a traditional model (1-on-1 visits with a midwife) or in a group model called CenteringPregnancy.
  • All of the staff at our clinics and at ZSFG are proud to care for a diverse group of women and families, with respect for all cultures and all kinds of families.
  • We believe in supporting women to have normal labors. We work hard to be sure women are partners in decision-making about pregnancy, labor and birth. This philosophy is shared by the doctors and staff who work with us.
  • ZSFG is the only "Baby-Friendly Hospital" in San Francisco. This title was awarded to the hospital because of its high level of support for mothers, new babies, breastfeeding, and families.
  • Women who give birth at ZSFG are cared for by a team that can include midwives, nurses, lactation consultants, doulas, and doctors.
  • At ZSFG there is in-house obstetric, pediatric, anesthesiology, and emergency care, 24 hours per day and 7 days per week. These services are all immediately available if there are medical complications for mothers or babies.
  • Our Family Birth Center has the lowest cesarean birth rate of any hospital in San Francisco – 15% for midwife patients, 19% for all patients.
  • When considered safe, women who have had a cesarean birth in the past can choose to have a vaginal birth rather than a repeat cesarean birth.
  • Some women who have a breech baby at the end of pregnancy ("feet first") are able to choose to have a vaginal birth. This is not an option at most hospitals in San Francisco.
  • All our midwives are faculty members in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at the University of California San Francisco.

Discover more about Midwifery at ZSFG here.

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