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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.

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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

Giving Birth in Plymouth

34 replies

Nads38 · 02/05/2007 10:26

Hi. I am 26 weeks preg with no 2 and we are relocating to Plymouth from Doncaster in 4 weeks. We had such a lovely experience at Doncaster Hospital, the midwives and environement was very enjoyable. I am hoping to get some positive feedback from any Mums in Plymouth please, just for a bit of peace of mind.
thanks

OP posts:

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littlelapin · 02/05/2007 21:40

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Nightynight · 02/05/2007 21:44

I had 2 babies in Derriford Hospital in the late 90s, it was very good. I found the NHS generally in Plymouth to be one of the best aspects of living there.

kittypants · 02/05/2007 21:46

2 of my friends recently both had their secong babies in plymouth,both said it was wonderful hospital and much prefered it too treliske,cornwall(i had 3 in treliske i think its fine!) where theyd both had first babies.said the staff where fantastic.

oooggs · 02/05/2007 21:57

I have just had dts in Derriford, they are 5 weeks tomorrow, had 8 admissions in the last 6 weeks of pregnancy and couldn't fault them. Loads better than when I had ds 3 years ago.

Happy pregnancy xx

Nads38 · 03/05/2007 08:46

Thank you, this puts my mind at ease. We considered staying in Doncaster just for the Hospital, so it's great to know that Derriford has the same feel about it.

OP posts:

gess · 03/05/2007 08:59

I've had 3 babies- 2 in London, 1 in Derriford- Derriford was far better- streets ahead. Especially in post natal care

Nikki76 · 03/05/2007 09:02

Im originally from Plymouth and two of my friends have given birth in Derriford - positive responses from all. It has a huge car park attached as well which is great from a visiting perspective, unlike Bristol where parking is totally pants - espec at St Michaels!

Nikki76 · 03/05/2007 09:02

PS

PavlovtheCat · 03/05/2007 09:11

I gave birth to my DD in Derriford, 1 July 2006, so not long ago now.

They were wonderful.

I had wanted a home birth, but alas could not happen as LO was not growing so well inside. My widwife was fantastic (what area of plym?) and supprted me all the way with hosp appts etc.

When I went into labour, they were reassuring, supportive and calming on the telephone until I went in to hosp, and they were responsive to my needs and wishes all the way through. A loverly midwife called Charlotte led the delivery, and was amazing. Calm and supportive, I was not left alone at key points, only during quiet intervals when DP and best friend was there anyway, and never for very long.
I needed an op afterwards, and the anaesthestist team were great, I needed to stay in the Transitional Care Ward for a week afterwards, and ALL the midwives were brilliant.

I breastfeed my LO and the help and support I got whilst learning was great and actually think it was better that I stayed in for the time I did as I was a pro by the time I left!

I loved my experience of childbirth (sad eh?), and the staff at Derriford helped enormously. I even had tea and toast at one point about 2 hours before LO was born!

As for the birthing pool when you first call them to say you are in labour. If it is free you will be reserved it unless it is needed by someone urgently. Even if you dont want the birthing pool itself, the delivery room is bigger and a bit more homely than the other rooms I think.

Good luck

gess · 03/05/2007 10:55

I had my third c-section in Derriford. I'd had an awful 2nd section in London and was terrified. After a fairly short labour they suggested c-section- I told them how scared I was and the anaesthetist stayed for 2 hours after the end of his shift to start the section with me. I was very grateful.

On the postnatal ward I met someone who had wanted (and been allowed to have) a breech delivery. The had a resgistrar who was experienced in breech deliveries and apparently it was all very smooth.

They are short staffed (like everywhere), but I did find the unit good.

Tigana · 03/05/2007 11:01

Had DS in Derriford in 2005. No complaints about the care.
You do have to pay for parking, be prepared.
It is an older hospital not a shiny modern one, so may look a little tired in places, but it's fine. Nice views out of the labour ward window too!!

PavlovtheCat · 03/05/2007 11:02

And, if you have to stay for any length of time, the food is actually not too bad, the puddings were great!

Nads38 · 03/05/2007 11:26

Pavlov and Gess, thank you esp. I have been advised by a consultant in Doncaster to have a c-section due to bad 3rd deg tear with DS 15 months ago. I am a little anxious about it and the care I will receive after. We still don't have a place to live, My DH has just signed with the Rugby Union team in Plymouth so it's quite short notice, we only found out last week that we are moving. It is a massive releif to hear you say that you enjoyed your stay and labouring experience, as this is exactly how I feel about Sunny Doncaster Hosp. I stayed for 4 nights, the MWs even moved me to my own private room, I was treated like I was in a 5 star hotel !!!! I am hoping to have a "natural C-section" I want skin on skin and breast feed stratight away and not have LO taken away and it sounds like Derriford are quite flexible with individual requests.... you have got me really excited about everything now !!!! Big Thanks x

OP posts:

gess · 03/05/2007 11:31

Now if I could remember the name of my consultant I would tell you to request him- as he let me have a trial of labour for a 3rd section, and he was the cosultant for the woman with the breech baby, and he was happy for my friend to choose an elective..

Someone tell me some consultant names- I'll remember if I hear it!

hippmummy · 03/05/2007 11:38

Hi Nads, another vote for Derriford - it is an excellent hospital. My DS2 was born there by emergency cs and the postnatal care was great.

kittypants · 03/05/2007 12:13

gess,ive had 3csections too,were you told not to have more?i was told by lots to have no more,then consultant(i shouted and cried till i got an appointment lol!)said it is ok to have more but our gp is still advising no because of danger of bowel or bladder damage.what were you told?
sorry to hijack!

gess · 03/05/2007 12:14

I don't want any more!!!!! No-one said anything either way, but dh has had snip anyway.

kittypants · 03/05/2007 12:15

aaahh!sorry.if they didnt say anything either way-thats good(for me!) to hear.sorry

gess · 03/05/2007 12:17

someone on mumsnet has had 6.

kittypants · 03/05/2007 12:18

6 csections?is that zippi(is that right name!)

mears · 03/05/2007 12:18

kittypants - listed to the consultant - not the GP. They know bu**er all about obstetrics. If you want another baby, you can have one.

PavlovtheCat · 03/05/2007 12:33

Nads38 - congratulations on your DPs signing to rugby team here!

Many women on the ward I was on had c-sections so stayed in a bit, and they were well looked after. The midwives have good humour.

As far as my birthing plan was concerned, they paid attention to it, although could not do all of it due to medical reasons, but kept me informed of why certain things could not happen.
The midwife I had in particular was very keen on skin to skin immediately, and even tho I had to have op after and LO had to be topped up with formula due to other probs, I was given her immediately and BF her before anything else was done. No decisions were made without my input, which I felt happy about.

Although I could not have it exactly how I wanted, I still felt in control and not like the midwives/consultants came along and just took over. I had heard about people who had felt out of control in labour (not Derriford, just generally) so had been worried.

You will be fine there, and good luck, and if you live in St Judes/Lipson/Prince Rock etc area you might get a wonderful midwife called Yvonne. She came to visit me after I had given birth, in hosp!

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kittypants · 03/05/2007 12:35

mears,i'll inform dh!
hijack over sorry nads38

gess · 03/05/2007 12:36

oh yes- dh and ds2 may go along to watch your dh! I know my uncle will he's always at Albion.

Are you in those areas now Pavolv? You're not that far from me......

PavlovtheCat · 03/05/2007 13:10

I am in Cattedown, you are in Plymstock? Is that you? Or someone else?

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