Saddleback Hospital - Experience and Obs?

Hi K.,

Did you already select an OB? I actually have worked at Saddleback Hospital for 6 years, so I know many of the doctors there. I'm about to deliver my second baby there myself. My first was born in May '07 and I had such a great experience with the doctor on call, Noreen Norris-Walsh, that I switched to her immediately after he was born.

I delivered both my babies at Saddleback and was very happy. Yes the rooms are all private. The L&D rooms are large and cherry but the recovery rooms are small. I had Dr. Mary O'Toole and loved her. She delivered my son but not my daughter, not enough time for her to get there. (I was only at the hospital for less than 40 min. before I delivered. The doc barely had time to put gloves on and catch.)

Hi K.. I delivered both of my sons at Saddleback and would not dream of going anywhere else! The staff was SO wonderful and I felt so comfortable. The LDR rooms are HUGE - like a hotel room with plenty of space for whomever you want there with you. I was even told that once a nurse was in a delivery where the mom had about 20 people in the room. If it is not a busy time, you will be able to stay in that room for the duration of your stay (this happened with my second delivery). Or else, you'll be moved downstairs to a room (much smaller by far but PRIVATE) - which was my experience the first time (they had a rush of deliveries that day/night). Both experiences though were extremely comfortable. Plus, a HUGE benefit is that the hospital is right across the street from Laguna Hills Mall and lots of restaurants which proved to be really convenient for my family members who came by to visit. Also, this will be great for your son when you deliver, as someone can take him over to Ruby's for dinner (that's what we did with my little guy).
As for an OB...I can't tell you how much I adore my OB - Dr. Carol Kaminskas. She is with Orange Coast Women's Medical Group (www.ocwmg.org). She is a wonderful lady and came highly recommended when I was looking as well. She has a great sense of humor and a great bedside manner and makes you feel comfortable with any question or concern you may have.
Welcome to the area!! I do hope everything works out and you have a fantastic experience!
~A.

HI K.....I had my daughter at Saddleback 3 years ago and love, love, love that hospital! What a great staff of nurses. The labor rooms are great...recovery rooms a little small, but at least they are private! My ob is Dr. Bruce Hagadorn (he is near Irvine Regional Hopsital but has rights at Saddleback) - he is awesome!

To the mom who had an awful experience, I am so sorry for you! The best time of your life should be met with exceptional service. Like anything, some people have better experiences that others. I don't blame you for not wanting to go back, but would also be on the bandwagon to "give them another chance on your next go around".....Congratulations on your new baby!!!!!

I delivered my son at Saddleback and just loved the nursing staff and my doctor (Dr. Audell). The rooms are all private. The OB's out of Orange Coast Women's Medical Group are all great (Dr O'Toole, Dr Martin, and others are all fabulous).

I have a 3 month old and delivered at Saddleback. I had heard this was a great hospital and had high expectations... but I had a bad experience. I had to have an emergency c section and when I was wheeled into the private room I had been in for 2 days already, I was told I would have to move within the hour. Mind you, I had just came out of major surgery! I was shocked. They said they needed the room for laboring pregnant woman and I was going to be moved downstairs. My poor husband tried to pack everything up himself even though he was exhausted himself -and they wheeled me and the baby down into the basement where the room was the size of a closet. We were fuming. There were alot of other things that happened too.... not the least of which was mean nurses and an endless parade of people coming into my room at all hours of the day and night during the supposed "bonding time". I will never deliver at that hosptial again. Next time, I will try Mission Hosp and I will be more assertive about what I want.
Good luck!

I also delivered both my kids at Saddleback. The place is wonderful, each has private rooms, NICU right on premises and the staff was wonderful! I also had Dr. O'toole, who is part of the Orange Coast Women's Medical Group, a separate but affiliated part of Saddleback. Their offices are right at the hospital. I would highly highly recommend that place!

I too delivered my twins at Saddleback and the nurses and doctors were great. (My OB is Dr. Julie Kim with the Saddleback Women's Medical Group.) I had an emergency c-section. My twins were 2 months early and were in the NICU for 30 days. The NICU nurses were wonderful. Yes, the rooms downstairs aren't as nice as the ones in L&D but my comfort was the least of my concerns versus making sure my babies had the best medical care available.

I would highly recommend Saddleback Hospital. The facility is very nice and the staff is wonderful. I spent two weeks there on bedrest before delivering my twins. My husband kept saying it was like I was at a hotel. (He was an orderly while in highschool, so he has a lot of opinions about hospitals). He would bring take out and come eat with me every evening. This was huge because he's a germa-phobe and normally wouldn't eat in a hospital environment, if he could help it.
Anyway, when I had my twins, Dr. Kurtzman was my doctor because I was considered high risk. He was great, as are the rest of his group. When I had my son last year, Dr, O'Toole was my doctor. She was wonderful.

BTW, right across from the hospital is the Laguna Hills Mall. I liked this because I could easily send my husband over to all the restaurants to get me what ever I was craving!