Anyone had a CS in Maidstone after C Diff panic? Due in 2 weeks...

[morethanmum]

and slightly worried that I may need to take my own cleaning products? Had DS there years ago and it was horrid - has it changed?

[morethanmum]

That's the other thing - there are two types apparently - one at £80 and one at something like £160. Obv will be trying for cheaper one. (Unless fab difference that I am missing)

[morethanmum]

OMG. Maybe they are at a premium because of high demand due to horrible germs all over the place. Wish I was going somewhere else!

[kinki]

I had ds3 there a few weeks ago and it was clean. I was also on another ward when the news came out a couple of weeks ago and cleaning was very evident. I had no complaints. I took anti-bac wipes in, but I would have done that anywhere. The best things you can do is make sure staff wash hands and use hand gel before touching you and your baby and don't let anyone sit on your bed (especially staff).

[kinki]

Check out if the private rooms have bathrooms. A few years ago the private rooms were the siderooms on the ward and at least 2 of them don't have bathrooms (I know that because I was in them with ds3). So you still have to use the shared bathrooms / toilets. It might well be that there are other private rooms with facilities, but I've never seen them.

[kinki]

where are you?

[kinki]

sorry, just read margate.

[YOMO]

I hate to say it but my sister had baby in Maidstone 12 weeks ago and her baby boy caught MRSA.. Thankfully he has made a full recovery.

[morethanmum]

had other two in medway, and the private rooms had loos etc. not sure about maidstone - worried about mrsa as am having a section and can't get out of it. glad to hear the baby is doing well now.
Good advice re staff but will they think I'm rude? Not v good at being assertive.

[YOMO]

I had my dd in Pembury and the private rooms had ensuite facilities but they were over £200, i was on the general ward!!. Good luck with the section and i hope all goes well, I am sure you and bubba will be fine.....

[morethanmum]

£200! What else did you get? Also, not guaranteed a room - depends if it's available on the day. Dreading it - SIL is nurse and she says it's ok to ask about handwashing. Just worried about MStone as I had horrid time 9 yrs ago...plus all press stuff a bit scary.

[kinki]

About asking the staff to wash hands: I took the hand gel off the end of the bed and kept it on the table - so it was more obvious. Staff used it pretty much all of the time.

I wasn't so much bothered about the cleanliness, but the fact that the staff seemed so rushed and overstretched. There's probably a connection there though.

[YOMO]

Dont be worried about asking staff to clean their hands it should be second nature to them. The thing is with the rooms is that it is the same staff you are seen by and the same cleaning staff so all you are getting is a bit of privacy it does not ensure you have better standards of care or cleanliness. You have to thing of you and your baby not the feelings of the staff if you are unhappy then you must say because it is you that will suffer if anything happens.

[morethanmum]

I know - I'm just scared they'll moan about me behind my back! Plus, with the c-section I feel v vulnerable, as all the 'intimate' stuff is done by auxillaries at first, and there's drips and catheters etc (TMI?) to worry about.

[YOMO]

Oh this worry is the last thing you need.

Would you not be able to put this over to your partner/husband?? Ask him to ensure that while you are having section and for the duration he is with you after that he makes a point of asking the staff to clean their hands. Then you wont feel intimidated and also when he is gone you could (if you felt it had been taken badly) say something like "so sorry about that but he has been so worried about me since the bad press reports". That way you get the message across but in a less abrupt manor???

[Theclosetpagansbesom]

TBH I think Maidstone has had so much flack that it's probably one of the safest places around at present.

They certainly will not be complacent given the problems there have been.

[morethanmum]

YOMO - that's a good idea. I will definitely ask dh to do that. TCPB - you are prob right. Just can't help it -0 it's been stressful pregnancy so far!

[Eddas]

I had ds in Maidstone in April(and dd but 3 years ago) Iknow it was a while ago but at the time children weren't allowed to visit and I think c-diff was about. I remember reading something back then about it all, can't remember details

I'm sure you are safer to go in there now. With all the press coverage, I mean national not just local, i'm sure it's cleaner than ever. They couldn't afford another outbreak! Also, the press coverage always comes after the event so i'm sure you really are safer now.

[morethanmum]

Thankyou! Just keep worrying as Medway (last 2) was really good and I already have awful memories of Maidstone from dd 8 yrs ago. Did they let you see dc after section? I was in recovery alone while ex dh and mum played with the new baby. Then they missed jaundice and she ended up in a light box. Plus, the woman opp had her bladder accidentally cut during section...so the c diff stuff is just freaking me out on top of all that. Call me paranoid...

[Eddas]

mtm, I see why you're worried but the staff will al be different now and things have changed a lot in 8 years.

I had no problems at all having my 2 in maidstone, although didn't have c/s. My friend has had 2 c/s in maidstone and had no problems, her last dc born in Jan this year.

Have you spoken to mw about your concerns? Get them written down in your book. Put them in your birth plan(i didn't have one mind you!) state that you want to hold the baby or at least keep the baby in the same room as you.