Need a crunchy doctor in L.A.

February 3, 2006 1:23 PM

I am going on my company's health insurance, which is Blue Cross California. I need to find a primary care doctor in the LA area who is supportive of natural medicine - particularly low/no-intervention pregancy and homebirth. Any recommendations?
posted by Uccellina to Health & Fitness (8 answers total)

You may want to separate out the primary care doc from the obstetrical manager, as it's unlikely you will find one person who can really cover your bases. That's assuming your desire for "natural" care still includes a desire for actual medical care and not naturopathic healing.
posted by docpops at 1:36 PM on February 3, 2006

Also, if there is an actual trained OB doing home births in the LA area, I'd be pretty surprised, but there may be nurse midwives. The local medical society may be a good starting place.
posted by docpops at 1:37 PM on February 3, 2006

Consider finding a midwife or doula first and ask who they work with. Or call your local mid-wife/doula licensing or professional body and ask who they recommend.
posted by duck at 1:39 PM on February 3, 2006

We were very happy with our midwives at Birthing Women's Health in Pasadena (but we moved at 7 months, so can't give a complete report).
Off-topic: one of the top sonogram doctors in the country is in Pasadena, with many of the journal articles on the subject, and something like a 96% rate over the five years.
posted by Aknaton at 2:17 PM on February 3, 2006

Response by poster: I actually have a midwife lined up (I'm so prepared!), but the gynecologist she works with isn't in my HMO.
posted by Uccellina at 2:31 PM on February 3, 2006

Come to think of it, I have Blue Cross PPO in Los angeles, and I could use a Primary Care Physician recommendation as well. I'm a guy - no home-birth technical requirements here.
posted by gregariousrecluse at 2:54 PM on February 3, 2006

Response by poster: Okay, I just got rave reviews from a separate source about Pauline Jose - she's with an Independence Practice Association called Bay Area Community Medical Group.
posted by Uccellina at 4:05 PM on February 3, 2006

Just wishing you all the best! My homebirth was the single most powerful and enjoyable experience I think I will ever have.
posted by Wilder at 5:32 AM on February 4, 2006