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Pregnancy

Dortchester hospital - what's it like for labour etc? (or is poole/sailsbury better?)

8 replies

pipsqueeke · 17/07/2007 19:17

if anyone has any advice i'd really appriciate it I think that's where DB 2 is going to be born. but i'd like to know what it's like. my last hospital with DS was absolutly fantasitc- 4 to a room, when DS was in the photo box he was in the single room with me, M/W's were fantastic, the unit was nice and modern (prob under 10 eyars - but still modern I thought) and they had excellent security on the wards - you had to show/prove who you were before being allowed access.

so is dortchester better than poole and sailsbury?

tia.

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Bodkin · 17/07/2007 20:06

No experience of poole/salisbury, but I had my DD in Dorchester 3 years ago. I thought it was good - I had a delivery/recovery room all to myself for the 1st night. Then was moved on to a 4 bed ward for 2nd night. Very modern, clean, great midwives, absolutely no complaints at all. Just had homebirth ( a week ago) and that was even better though

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yogimum · 17/07/2007 20:22

I had ds at Dorchester and spent quite a bit of time there and it was very good, it was quiet most of the time and very clean. Staff were excellent too. I have friends who have had babies at both Salisbury and at the haven suite at Poole and all said it was very good too. I expect Poole to be quite busy though as it covers a large area. At Dorchester Security was tight, which I would expect at any maternity unit.

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pipsqueeke · 18/07/2007 11:43

great thanks girls, i'd quite like a birthing centre and just midwife care but I don't think there are any close enough by us so I think it will be the dorchester. glad to hear they have good security - it's always a worry with me with DS we were encouraged to have baby with us all the time even thou they had a nursery.

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theslownorris · 18/07/2007 11:58

From what I've heard Dorchester is much nicer than Poole. I had dd1 & dts at Poole and opted for a homebirth with dd4 but I did consider trying to go for Dorchester. (Btw Poole is nowhere near as bad as some places I've heard described on here )

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yogimum · 18/07/2007 18:47

pipsqueake, even at Dorchester they like you to keep baby with you at all times, its probably like this at every maternity unit.

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Imawurzel · 18/07/2007 18:52

I'm going to Dorchester hospital cos its in walking distance of my house.
Of course i may not walk there when the time comes.

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pipsqueeke · 18/07/2007 18:54

I do like that. think dorchester's def the way to go - after the birth with DS and needing a blood transfusion I don't think DH will allow me to have a home birth.

I guess it's a bit daunting after having fantastic care (althou it did help I was the only lady labouring on that night, and also was the only one on the ward once we got down there) so it was good iycwim. also my m/w with DS was with me from 6pm when she started until he was delivered at 2.37am - poor lady was due to leave at 10 but thought i'd be quick. she left rather swiftly I might add but lovely she stayed.

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pipsqueeke · 18/07/2007 18:55

dunno I walked with DS - until a aldy stopped me and said 'do you realise you're blleding' bless her she was about 30wk's herself, and I was going up tot he ward with her mum/friend pushing my wheel chair saying don't do ti it's not fun this labour lark get a c section - poor lady must have thought what a bloomin nutter!