Bad maternity wards

[Franny1]

Has anyone given birth in Milton Keynes General Hospital? I've heard it's awful...

[elibumbum]

No, but I used to live not too far from there. The women in the village I lived in had a choice between there and Bedford - they generally chose Bedford. That was a few years ago though. Bedford might be worse now!

Do they do tours so you can get a feel for the place yourself?

I'm sure someone with recent experience of both will come along soon.

[Fluffsuptheduff]

hello, my friend had her last one there and said it was absolutely fine. she did have a very quick labour though, so I don't know if that helped. She definitely didn't have any horror stories though. I agree with eli, have a snoop round and get a feel for it.

[Franny1]

How come they chose Bedford?

[charlotteryder]

Hi Franny,

have you checked out Babyfy.com, they have some good reviews on MK general.

www.babyfy.com/index.php/hospital-review/2719/uk/Milton-Keynes-General-Hospital/

Thanks,

Char

[leifmum]

Hi franny! i chose bedford and found it to be lovely, no complaints from me. on our tour of the hospital before the birth there was a couple who'd had their first child at milton keynes and said no way on earth would they go back. they loved what they saw at bedford though. hth

[MummyToOneForNow]

db and his wife went to MK for first, second at Bedford and said it was a much better experience. Was a few years ago now...

[newyearnightmare]

I was just about to post the same thing - am due to give birth in MK General in a few weeks and now beginning to feel a bit panic-y about it after the bad stories in the press. I actually live in MK so not sure that I would be allowed to choose Bedford as an option. Sister has given birth in Northampton which seems a similar sort of distance away and she chose not to have her dc2 there after a bad experience with dc1, so not sure I would want to go there either.

It hasn't helped that so far I haven't been able to sort out any ante-natal classes as they are all full so I have no idea what the place is like (or even where to go should I go into labour early - I just know it is not where you go for scans or obstetric appointments!).

Has anybody had any experience of using a private hospital locally (are there such things?), or is there a private wing at MKGH? Or alternatively using a private midwife or doula to supplement the care given?

Sorry to hijack your thread Franny1 - and thanks to anyone who has any thoughts!