Lewisham Hospital

[DancingLady]

Hi, expecting my second child later this year, and my nearest hospital is Lewisham. Has anyone given birth there recently? Good/bad experiences to report? First baby was born at St Thomas's which was pretty great but just not practical to have second one there as it's far away now!

[piglet81]

I gave birth at Lewisham 6 weeks ago - first baby so nothing to compare it to, but I had a good experience on the whole even though I ended up having an EMCS instead of giving birth in the MLU as I'd hoped. Anything particular I can tell you about?

[marriednotdead]

My DGS was born in the MLU around 18 months ago. The entire experience was positive, the care, support and facilities couldn't have been better. I had my own DCs at Lewisham many moons ago and was very impressed with how much the experience had improved for parents.

[DancingLady]

Thanks both! Just want to know if midwives were kind and supportive, what the aftercare was like etc. My sister gave birth there about 15 years ago and friends since have had mixed experiences.

[piglet81]

Yep, I've heard that it used to be pretty rubbish so I was pleasantly surprised. I think we had good care both in delivery and postnatal (had a long labour with lots of changes of personnel which did make for a rather disjointed experience because of differing opinions, but it's not their fault it took so long!). Midwives and HCAs were very kind, couldn't fault them. Oh, and the food is surprisingly good!

[DancingLady]

Piglet, that's really useful to know! Thanks.

[SoljaBonita]

It was awful when I had DS there in 2005, my midwife shouted "push or I'll cut you" at me, made me have my knees up and spread despite me having spd and I think contributed to retained placenta by tugging on the cord. But DS was delivered safely with nothing but gas & air and the postnatal care was great.

I have heard it's massively improved since then butI'd pesonally go for the midwife led unit in Peckham if at all posible

[hurryupandgetout]

I had my baby at lewisham 6 weeks ago and had a very lovely experience. The birth was not at all as planned - routine blood checks at 41+3 which showed pre eclampsia, was kept in and induced that evening ending in an emergency c section. However, the staff and facilities were amazing as was the aftercare. The wards were noisy and I found it hard to relax but that was due to the general public on the ward and absolutely nothing to do with the staff, in fact they did their best to ask the others to be quiet etc. I find it so sad that lewisham has a bad reputation, it's a really lovely hospital. I have had various medical issues seen to there, as have various family members and always had a great experience. This hospital in fact saved my life during labour and my dad's life when he had cancer, and you can't really ask for more.

[quesadillas]

Had my first at Lewisham in 2013, and requested Lewisham again this time, despite being slightly out of their area. Ante-natal care is amazing, I have absolutely no complaints. Facilities are also good - the midwife unit looks lovely, and I've had friends who were impressed when they had their babies there. I had an EMCS and was perfectly happy with the care I received prior to that and how the decision was made. The post-natal ward wasn't great, I have to admit, and the thought of being there again doesn't thrill me. But that's a small part of it, and from what I've heard, post-natal wards in general are a bit hellish.

[splodge77]

I had both my kids at lewisham - one in birth centre in 2011 and one on labour ward in may. I had positive experiences both times especially second time around. Great care there. Lewishams bad rep is badly out of date now.