Talk

Flip

Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Childbirth

Christmas midwife shortage?

11 replies

helbel · 30/09/2005 17:05

Dear all - I'm due to have my baby at St Thomas's in London at Christmas - due date 24th December! I've read on previous posts some mothers saying that the hospital is a bit low on midwives - when I asked one of the midwives I saw (I don't have a regular one) she said it was fine, they had just a reduced "weekend" rota over Christmas. This made me worry a bit, because if it's "reduced on reduced" that doesn't sound good. Plus I don't know if there are many doctors around at that time. Anyway, I'm probably fretting needlessly, but if anyone has any experience or advice, much appreciated.

OP posts:

Report

BlondeinLondon · 30/09/2005 17:26

My friend had her baby there and it sounded good. Nice home from home birth unit plus good views!

Report

dramaqueen72 · 03/10/2005 16:22

funny my midwife was just saying the other day they are predicting a christmas rush and expecting to be busy in the labour unit. yes it is abit worrying after all the news about midwife shortages.

Report

babyonboard · 03/10/2005 19:09

I am going to have my baby at st thomas, and having been admitted to the labour ward a couple of times already, can assure you..they are great!
remember that very few women give birth on their EDD..you may find yourself there a couple of weeks either side of your EDD..I wouldn't worry..but can assure you they are a great unit when it does happen!

Report

shhhh · 03/10/2005 21:58

Don't know about your hospital but I know 2 people who are due to give birth at my local hospital (northwest) in Nov...One is having a home birth due to the fact that the maternity ward is expected to be chocca! She thought her bed would be in the bushes outside LOL!! It looks as though it's not just your hospital.
DD was born in May & all was ok,no shortages. looks like maybe Nov& Dec are busy times for babies..mmmm what were people up to Last Feb ...Good luck and don't worry to much xx

Report

henshake · 03/10/2005 23:00

Hi there shhhh may I ask which NW hospital you are referring to?

Report

marthamoo · 03/10/2005 23:13

Ds2 was due on December 23rd but arrived early - on the 7th. All the delivery suites were occupied when we arrived (Christmas, no room at the inn and all that) and by the time one was free it was too late - I had ds2 on a side ward, they didn't even have time to draw the curtain round the bed and all the lovely ladies getting their breakfast were put off their cornflakes

Sorry - that probably wasn't at all reassuring!

Report

Flossam · 03/10/2005 23:15

Very happy with my experience there. There will still be the necessary number of staff on to be safe if it is anything like nursing, which I think it is. Xmas shifts are very contentious, beleive you me!

Report

RedZuleika · 04/10/2005 11:03

I thought it was September was supposed to be busy, from all those festive conceptions...?

(41+ weeks and waiting for the outcome of the Christmas egg )

Report

expatinscotland · 04/10/2005 11:16

Judging by the huge number of women looking very near their due dates in the antenatal clinic last week, I'd say the rush is now!

I know a lot of people who conceive easily try to avoid having a baby around Xmas. For us we didn't care b/c it took us several months to conceive this baby, due 18 December

Report

shhhh · 04/10/2005 12:53

Henshake, Princess ann maternity Bolton.

Report

helbel · 05/10/2005 14:01

Well thanks everyone - some reassuring comments there. I guess there's not a whole lot I can do about any of it, since I don't think I'm quite worried enough to hire my own midwife or other emergency precautions, so here's hoping (fingers and legs crossed).