Royal Sussex County Hospital (Brighton) vs. Princess Royal Hospital (Haywards Heath)

[Moonflower78]

I'm new to the area and due to give birth (to my first!) in January 2016. I would love to hear your experiences of giving birth in either of these hospitals as these are the options available in my area. Thanks so much!

[starfish12]

I gave birth at PRH and thought the care was fantastic - i had an EMCS and felt informed and supported throughout. Im Obviously I can't compare to Brighton as haven't experienced birth there but the parking/traffic situation and the fact the labour ward is on 13th floor is enough to put me off!!
Good luck for when the time comes x

[Bobian123]

Congratulations! I'm expecting DC2 at PRH in a few weeks. I've heard good things about it, and ive not heard anyone recommend Brighton over it. Midwife care has so far been excellent! Good luck.

[Moonflower78]

Thanks so much for your replies, Starfish & Bobian! So far PRH is in the lead, then...Hope that all goes very well for you and DC2 at PRH, Bobian.

[Bobian123]

Thanks! And to you too OP.

[BookSnark]

Brighton every time for me.

It's a teaching hospital - and has an excellent SCBU - so I consider it to be gold standard in the area if something goes wrong (ie you might be transferred prh->royal Sussex - but never the other way).

Plus - being in Brighton - they are as lentil-weavy as you like - pools/bf support/ alternative pain relief is all very standard.

[TiddlesUpATree]

Think both are excellent. We had our boy at Brighton in 2012 and am due a section there on the 15th of this month. Our first was very difficult traumatic birth and care was brilliant. Know lots if people that have given birth at the PR and also at Worthing. Only heard good things. Good luck xx

[BookSnark]

MMmm - heard unhappy things about Worthing - but of course every experience is individual.

[NewMumSept2014]

I had my DD in PRH last September and thought they were absolutely fantastic. Had a fairly traumatic time- induced, long labour, epidural followed by foetal distress, episiotomy and suction delivery. They were brilliant throughout and there was an obstetrician and a consultant paediatrician at the birth too. I was very happy that when everything went pear shaped there were the right people there to fix it and get my DD out safely. Think I recall them telling me they have everything they need there to safely deliver (+look after baby) after 34 weeks. If you're delivering after this they would send you to RSCH.
The post natal ward is also brilliant, I stayed in 3 nights after as I needed some help with breastfeeding. They have a lot of time for you and there is always someone on hand to answer stupid questions/ lend a helping hand. No pressure to get you out because they need the beds at all.
I would go back there next time in a heartbeat.

[slightlyconfused85]

Watching with interest as making the same decision- dc2 is due in 7 weeks and I'm booked in at brighton but thinking of changing at next mw appointment due to being worried about parking and 13th floor. Dd was born at worthing which I loved but lived over the border in southwick at the time.

[Moonflower78]

Thanks so much for everyone's input - reassuring to hear positive stories about both options !

[Equimum]

We had a HB in Brighton in 2012 but transferred into the RSCH after DS was born. The care was absolutely fine, although it was incredibly busy. While I was labouring, the labour ward was closed to new admissions which apparently happens about 1-2 times per month there, but rarely at the PRH.

We are now expecting DC2 and have moved house and are nearer the PRH. At first I was really in favour of going back to Brighton but we have decided in the PRH for the following reasons:-

• staff at antenatal appointments there have been fantastic and more supportive than in Brighton
  
• more birthing pools, so more chance if getting access to one
  
• same trust with shared views and directives on breastfeeding and everything else that matters to us
  
• easier to park, get to etc (which we hope will reduce anxieties while in labour)
  
• have not heard anything negative about it
  
• also a teaching hospital (part of joint trust)
  

If there was any concern about our baby's health we might consider Brighton due to more neo-natal facilities being on site, but they have all the usual SCBU care. (Only very early/ sick babies are transferred to Brighton).

[TheTertiumSquid]

I had two home births in Brighton. Both over night so midwives sent out from RSCH (they have a supernumerary MW for HBs). Both times got very good care. Can't fault them.

[Phryn]

I've not given birth yet (will update when I do) but have had quite a bit of contract with the Brighton team during my pregnancy so far (some extra consultant appts due to hypermobility, one visit to triage due to reduced movement, several phone calls with labour ward triage to ask questions (am FTM so have lots of them).

All the staff I've had contact with have been lovely and so helpful/reassuring. When I've called I've never been made to feel silly or that I'm wasting their time but I've been given clear advice or invited to come in and be checked out. I feel it will be a good place to have the baby and that I'll be in safe hands.

Yes parking is a bit of an arse but there is street parking further up the hill from the hospital that is sometimes easier to use (and usually not as busy as on the roads between the hospital and the sea if that makes sense).

Will update when this baby finally shows up (am currently 40+4!)

[Moonflower78]

Thanks so much for your comments, Equimum, TheTertiumSquid and Phryn - really appreciate them! I hope that all goes well for you, Phryn, and that your baby arrives soon . Will look forward to your update in due course...

[boopdoop]

I have birth at PRH last year and they were amazing. We were in for 6 days due to DS being in scbu briefly, and the level of care we received during birth and afterwards was outstanding.

[boopdoop]

*gave birth, not have birth

[ImNotAFlower]

I had DD in Brighton four years ago, I had two midwives and a medical student (read: rather traumatised 20 year old bloke haha)
My labour was very straightforward even though baby was 5 weeks early. I can't fault them wonderful care, brilliant support. I chose there over PRH because of the SCBU and a direct helicopter link to London in times of real trouble.

[Littlecaf]

If you are in the Mid Sussex area you also get a choice of going to Crowborough Birthing Centre if your pregnancy is straightforward. Apparently it's wonderful. However the midwifes didn't inform me that I had this choice so had DS at PRH. We chose it as it was easier to get to than Brighton, I'd had all my appointments & scans there, and it felt like a large friendly secondary school size building, not a super mad place like SC Brighton, which is a bonkers complicated campus of a hospital.

[Lisad1975]

I was booked in at haywards heath and had all my antenatal care there and they were fantastic .
When I went into labour naturally they were full when I called the labour ward so I was sent to Brighton ( 20 mins in car ) I was slightly stressed as you would be in labour! but the midwife kept me calm and rang us back to say they were expecting us, which was a good job as they closed soon after we got there as were full too !
The level of care was amazing and everyone was wonderful.
I used the pool - lovely views of the marina ! and the rooms are all nice and refurbed.
I eventually had my lg by emcs with some problems so I stayed in for a few days.
The post natal ward is on the level below and all of the staff were so kind and helpful, the focus is on yours and babys needs and you are encouraged to do what you can. The mca's and the midwives spent time talking , helping with feeding and cup of tea too!
I will be booked in at Princess Royal next time for planned section so will be interesting to see how that goes.

[EsmereldaPB]

I had DC2,3 & 4 at PRH and was very happy with the care I got there.

(Also the cafe on the ground floor sells amazing cake!)

[Moonflower78]

Thanks so much for the recent replies! Feeling rather lucky as both hospitals are getting good reviews !

[Lisad1975]

oh god yes! I forgot the cake ! deelish !!!!