UCSF Mission Bay Hospital

My son was born in San Fransico in 2017. Three weeks before his intended due date. All because he was born very small. Which meant I had to travel over four hours away from home to a different hospital. It is the newest campus to the San Fransico Hospital. Mission Bay is also home to UCSF Betty Irene Moore Women's Hospital, UCSF Bakar Cancer Hospital, and the UCSF Bakar Precision Cancer Medicine Building, in addition to numerous outpatient services for children and adults. It is also is home to UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital-San Francisco. Joshua was born at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital on an early January morning. The plan was to have him naturally, but then his heart rate dropped, and we almost lost him. But they got his heart rate went up, and they brought him with a c section. My darling son's weight was barely over three pounds. That was something that the doctor was questioning, which meant he would have to stay in a NICU to see why he was born this way.

UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital-San Francisco is recognized worldwide as a healthcare leader known for innovation, technology, and compassionate care. For more than a century, UCSF has offered the highest quality medical treatment.

Today, according to a ranking by U.S. News & World Report, we are among the top children's hospitals in the nation. Our expertise covers virtually all pediatric conditions, including cancer, heart disease, neurological disorders, organ transplants, and orthopedics, as well as the care of critically ill newborns.

They have programs designed specifically for young patients, such as a 50-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery, recreational therapy for recovering kids, and outreach clinics throughout Northern California. The doctors were the first in the world to perform surgery on a baby still in the womb successfully. They also developed life-saving treatments for premature infants whose lungs aren't fully developed.

After my son was born, the only way I was able to see him was in the NICU unit called "The Blue Unit." It was a NICU that had children that were born but with not many issues. My son was there for almost two weeks. Then he was transferred to the Purple Unit, which means the final step before a child is declared that they are healthy enough to go home with the mom and dad. When Joshua got there, it was a relief. Because for the first ten days of his life, we did not know what to do. Seeing how the doctors were checking on him and doing every form of test. When he was in the purple unit, he did not gain weight because he had gag reflux.

It was heartbreaking, walking down the long hall to see my son. In the other NICUS, I would see parents walk out the door in tears. The Yellow and Blue units were for children that were born barely over a pound. When I would walk to see my friend in the orange team, her child was born with an organ of his body differently. That is what that unit was for.

The hospital has lived up to its standards. They help every child that comes through its doors. After my son was released from the hospital in February 2017, we returned in May due to his weight not gaining fast. But then nothing wrong. We returned one final time and saw an outstanding genetic specialist who took some blood samples. Finally, that December, Joshua was diagnosed with Russel Silver Syndrome. If it weren't for that hospital, they would not have helped us figure out the mystery of what was wrong with my son. Not knowing the reason why he was having a hard time gaining weight. But any parents who need help looking for a hospital that offers excellent service, I would recommend UCSF Mission Bay in San Fransico, CA.