Anyone had a csection at UCLH in London?

[IlanaK]

I went on the labour tour today and it didn't seem too bad compared to St Mary's where i had my last one. I liked the fact that they have a seperate postnatal ward for the women who have had sections.

Just wondering if anyone has had a section there in the last year or so and can tell me their experience.

[IlanaK]

Anyone?

[catastrophewaitress]

bumping for you - I had DD at UCH but was a ventouse not section. If you want space for post-natal recovery you could ask for one of the amenity rooms - they are first come first served so availability cannot be guaranteed. Not cheap at £130 a night but perhaps better sleep than you'd get on the ward?? (my DD made sure I didn't get any sleep regardless

Someone I know had a scheduled section at UCH recently and was back home within 2 days as all went swimmingly...hope yours does too.

[lindahed]

I had DS2 by csection in November 2006 at UCLH. It was elective as I had an emergency csection with DS1 (at a different hospital).

Csection itself was fine, can't fault it at all. Was out after two nights tho they said I could stay for a third night if I wanted. It was me who was pushing them to let me out after two nights.

Postnatal care is fairly poor, but it was with DS1 too. I think it's just pot luck on the postnatal care as to how busy they are and how many staff are around.

You can book the amenity room on a first come first served basis on the day you are in if you don't want to be on the ward. However for the first night you have to be on the ward (as you need to monitor you after the op).

It is one of the bits of the hospital that hasn't yet been moved to the new building tho it is scheduled to be moved this year.

If I am lucky enough to have a third baby I will go to UCLH again.

Good luck with your section!

[tinton]

I had DD1 by c section in January (elective because she was a breech). C section was fine and have had several compliments about my scar(!). Post natal care not so good (underresourced and keen to chuck you out, although lots of breastfeeding support and 99% of the nurses were lovely..think i was lucky on that score). The food is really rank - take your own..

[IlanaK]

Thanks everyone. I know postnatal care will be poor - I think it is accross London as they are so overstretched. My last section was at St Mary's and the care was so dire, I changed to UCLH this itme.

I wondered what difference having a seperate postnatal ward makes for section patients. At St Mary's, we were all in together and the midwives treated me like I was a hinderance and a drain on their resources. I thought maybe that if everyone in the ward was in the same boat, the midwives would be more understanding.

I plan to be out within 2 days baring problems. I checked myself out of St Mary's against medical advice after two nights as it was so bad. Can't have one of the private rooms after a section for first 24 hours. Not sure it is worth transfering for the second night.

Shame I am missing out on the tranfer to the new hospital. I am NOT having another! (this is my third)

[margoandjerry]

Yes my sister did. They tried to chuck her out within 24 hours .

It was ok but bare bones basic.

[IlanaK]

I would LOVE for them to chuck me out after 24 hours, but I doubt they will. The new NICE guidelines are that women should be encouraged to go home after 24 hours, but I think in practice it does not happen that often.

[beforesunrise]

i had dd1 there, normal delivery. there were TWO post csections in my pn ward, plus a couple of antenatals. policy may have changed since then, but i am sure the post natal is still as dire. sorry...

[Orissiah]

I had one there and am full of praise for all staff involved in the actual delivery. Post-natal care was overall very good but not if you are bottle-feeding (for whatever reason) - they are keen on meeting UNICEF bf points system for funding I think and didn't give any advice for formula feeding mums re amount of feed per kg of baby weight. I got more help on this from the consultants but had to demand it. I was out after 3 days. Will definitely have c-section / vbac there again.

[PollyParanoia]

I've had two there (one em, one el). I'm gutted to be missing out on swanky new hospital as is gorgeous and old one like something the elephant man might have been examined in. What does it say about attitudes to women and children, that ob and gyn were last to move?
Anyway that said, it wouldn't occur to me to go anywhere else as doctors/surgeons best in world and the midwives were on the whole fine too. The c-section ward was good as you didn't need to feel self conscious about dragging your catheter around and the stories much better (49-year-old opposite me). It also felt quite spacious and I felt so comfortable in my rather bijou corner that I didn't move into amenity room as planned.
I do wish they'd give you a bit more help on that first night when you need to change your baby (their nappy, I mean, not swap them for another newborn), but I think that's London NHS generally.
Pol