Until this year, the word "midwife" conjured up thoughts of home-births and natural remedies... old women coming out to your house in the middle of nowhere and helping you birth your 10th child on the dusty wooden floors of your cabin. Call me ignorant, but I had no idea that midwives work in hospitals too, alongside doctors, and are capable of doing pretty much everything a doctor can do (aside from a c-section). I happened to see Sally at my first visit after discovering I was pregnant because Scripps Coastal OBGYN always books a patient's first visit with a midwife instead of a doctor. Sally spent a TON of time with me that day, answering all my questions and showing me a level of care and patience that I'd never received from a doctor before. I chose to see Sally going forward instead of one of the doctors and it was a GREAT decision. Scripps Coastal OBGYN requires that you do see a doctor once every trimester, so I had a good comparison between appointments with Sally and appointments with a doctor. They were entirely different. Doctors are rushed. They see more patients, have less time, and don't really care too much to get to know you. Sally was the complete opposite. She never rushed our appointments and really seemed to care about me as an individual. At delivery, it seems typical for doctors to let nurses do all the work and pretty much just stop by to catch the baby, but Sally was with me for at least the last hour of me pushing. She was encouraging, calm, and patient. I couldn't have asked for a better experience! After delivery, she stopped by my hospital room on three different occasions to check in on me. I simply can't say enough good things about Sally Lang. If you are considering Scripps OBGYN for your pregnancy and birth, I highly recommend that you make an appointment with her before you decide to go with one of the doctors. read more

The best, I repeat, the best midwife I could have found. I gave birth 8 days ago at Scripps Encinitas and Sally has been there for me these 9 months. From my very first prenatal visit, Sally has been ever smiling and the experience has always been pleasant. She answered all our questions patiently, every single visit, and let me tell you, my husband asks an awful lot of questions. I was having issues with putting on weight during my pregnancy and she helped me resolve the issue with her guided expertise. She has pleasant manners and her staff and nurses have been a great support too. If she was on her weekly off on the days I called the office with queries and concerns, she always made sure to call me back to check on me the very next day even though the queries were always answered the same day by other midwives or nurses on duty. On the day of my delivery, she was encouraging, calm and patient throughout my 1.5hrs of pushing and helped me have a vaginal delivery. If you get Sally as your midwife, I can bet you are in safe hands. Also, Sally's "Hello you guys, how are we doing today?" will ring in my ears for years to come because that greeting instantly can calm a nervous pregnant woman. read more

Sally calls herself a midwife but in reality she is no different than a standard OB. When I asked her what makes her different from an OB she couldn't give me an answer. I then asked a harmless question about whether I am allowed to refuse a C-section on the day of birth. (I've heard countless stories of doctors forcing patients into C-section due to labor taking too long or for minor reasons), she then snaps back at me with "So if your baby is about to die you would refuse a C-section?" Ummm what?? so uncalled for and unprofessional. Shame on you Sally. Also high pressure for vaccines throughout the whole visit, and gave off an overall impression of not caring about me or my questions/concerns. Seems like another doctor who thinks she should have more of a say than the parents on medical decisions. I have now switched to getting care from an actual midwife and it has been the best decision for me and my baby. read more

Sally is a superstar. When I called the office after I got pregnant with my first son, they mentioned their system was to see the midwife first, then the doctor periodically throughout your pregnancy. Your midwife is like your go-to here for most of your visits. At first, I wasn't sure about this system...until I met Sally. I cannot imagine a better person to see throughout my first pregnancy, and my next one unexpectedly just six months after the birth of my first. She is wonderful - she'll spend as much time as you need with her, NEVER rushes you and never makes you feel like you're wasting her time or you're "just another patient." Sally really listens, no matter the question - even if you've already asked it ten times before. I wanted to try a natural childbirth with my first - she never judged me or hesitated or made me feel awkward with that choice (I had a healthy pregnancy w/out issues). It didn't work out as I changed my mind once labor happened (!) but she supported whatever I decided. With my second, I wanted the epidural (very much) - again, no judgement. When I switched insurances and a glitch made the error her office wasn't in network temporarily, I told my husband we were going to be billed the extra and see her anyway because I trusted her that much, and couldn't imagine seeing anyone else. And...she connects with you - something every woman needs, especially if they are a new mom. I think my first pregnancy I must have called a dozen times with various, truly minor "is this normal?" new mom concerns, and always received a call back. I'm so thankful I happened to call her office that day and chose her. Sally thank you for being part of Scripps! read more

I met Sally Lang after calling Scripps Encintas OB group in September 2013 to make an appointment with a particular physician with expertise in high-risk pregnancies. Despite identifying my pregnancy as high-risk and requesting a physician, at my first visit I found that Scripps had, without mentioning it, assigned my care to a nurse midwife, Sally. I chose mid-wife care for my first two pregnancies and highly recommend them...for low-risk pregnancies. I was not seen by a physician at Scripps until November 2013, two days after I picked up my babies cremated remains. (Disclaimer: Having worked in health care, I know that apparently uncaring or incompetent care may actually be a decent provider pushed to see too many patients or those beyond their training. This may be the case with Sally.) From the first visit I said I believed I likely had cervical insufficiency/incompetence (I am a physician myself, not an ob/gyn). Sally took no steps to address this concern. As my pregnancy progressed, I called for an extra appointment because I was afraid my cervix was opening. I was told I could not make an appointment without running it by a clinician first. I waited home the rest of the day for the promised call, but it never came. I called again the next morning and was told that they had my message, but it hadn't been answered. I received a call later that lab work (a CBC/UA) was ordered. I stated that to the best of my knowledge a CBC would not show if my cervix was opening, and pushed to have it measured. Scripps did work me in for an appointment, and I was told my cervix was fine. I continued to express concern and Sally said she could measure my cervix every 2 weeks. I was reassured - I should not have been. Scripps own perinatalogist told me later that he had seen patients with CI with normal cervical measurements during the day and dilatation to the point of fetal loss by evening that the same day,. Sally didn't bother to mention this limitation (if she knew of it), or any other possible treatments for CI, or tell me of the signs/symptoms of an opening cervix. She did tell me I was fine to travel, and I thought a couple days after a normal measurement was a good time for a business trip I had to make. About the second day of the trip, I experienced every pregnant woman's nightmare -my amniotic sac was falling out of me when the baby was too young to survive. I rushed to the hospital, and found that my cervix had opened - just as I had feared. Because I had traveled, by husband had to spend thousands on airfare to rush himself (and our other children) to try and hold his baby girl before her heart stopped, but he arrived too late. In addition, this was an IVF pregnancy, costing additional thousands, numerous appointments, terrible side effects and 176 shots (I counted). All lost. Sadly, this pregnancy could have been saved. The OB/GYN in the East Coast hospital asked me why with my prior loss I had declined cerclage (a stitch to keep a cervix closed which can allow up to 90% of CI patients to deliver full term) with this one. I replied I had never been offered one. Another nurse said the baby's loss was a tragedy, as she had seen so many mom's with CI deliver healthy babies with proper care (progesterone, indomethacin, bed rest, close monitoring, pessary, cerclage, etc). None of these options were mentioned at the Scripps Encinitas clinic despite me brining up my concern of CI multiple times. After the baby's death, I called the receptionist in January 2014 and asked anonymously if high-risk patients would be cared for by an OB or a nurse. She cheerfully said that of course a high-risk patient would be seen by physicians, although she might see a midwife on the first visit. If only the staff had been honest about their physician availability when I first called, I believe there is a better chance than not that my baby would be alive now. Sally was polite and personable and likely provides good care to routine pregnancies (i.e. those that would be fine with no care at all). But she seemed unable to deviate from that. The night before my membranes prolapsed, another nurse called me to state that my first trimester screening was positive for Trisomy 18 due to my age. I replied that since I was using a donor egg and had full preimplantation testing, that this positive results was essentially meaningless, right? The nurse agreed. After the call I decided that when I got back I would switch to another provider that could individualize care. I didn't know then it was already too late. read more

I am writing this review based on my first visit to the clinic and Sally's office - horrible first impression. Our appointment was at 10.30. After 20 mins of waiting we became conscious of the time, because both me and my husband were supposed to return back to work. Then we were told that our appointment was "actually" at 11am and 'sorry for that'. Nurse took us in at 11am, her initial checkup was fast, but then we waited for Sally until 11.25am... by then our mood was totally down as we thought that was the time we would have been done. Very bad first impression. Sally was professional but impersonal at the same time. This is my first pregnancy, so I had a list of questions, but all answers were "Here are some brochures, you will find that there." I have a book about pregnancy at home - should I just have done my homework and leave the questions aside?!? I didn't even go further than first 2 questions, that's how bad I felt about asking anything... I wanted to speak to a human and get some opinions and examples. All I got was a bag of brochures and telephone numbers. With this experience, I am sure I do not want to give birth in this facility, I am imagining how my opinions or worries will be set aside and all I will get are brochures. read more

when i got pregnant, a friend of mine referred me to sally. she had delivered her baby and had a great experience with her. sally took the time to know my situation and was patient with answering all my questions. she is very knowledgable and kind. i was also very lucky that she was there to deliver my baby, and not my ob. she is very positive and encouraging. she made my labor experience great! i will definitely recommend her. read more

Though she wasn't my main provider, Sally saw me for one visit during my pregnancy and was kind, respectful, and knowledgeable. She was able to connect with me on an intellectual and social level. I so appreciate the care she gave me that day and would readily recommend her to a friend! read more

Sally is phenomenal. She has been my CNM for 4 years and I LOVE her. She was there for me through both my pregnancies and delivered both my babies. I had an emergency c-section with my son and she stayed with me throughout the whole procedure even though she had already worked a full shift that day. She made a scary situation much much easier on me. She kept my baby safe and I felt like she has always had my best interests at heart. With my second baby I was able to have a VBAC and she was the best support I could have asked for. I recommend her to ALL my friends and every single one of them has been completely satisfied with her care. I feel like every time I have an appointment with her, I'm visiting a friend rather than going to a doctor's office. I had a miscarriage earlier this year and she stayed with me in the room while I broke down and cried - that's just how comfortable she makes you feel - like it's okay to cry. I live in Oceanside so I choose to drive all the way to Encinitas just to have her as my CNM. She is hands down the kindest, sweetest, most compassionate, and personable person I've ever met. Every time I've called her office, she's returned my calls promptly. I have never had a problem getting an appt with her. read more