Frimley Park / Surrey County or The Grange Petersfield to give birth?

[Vcarroll]

Hello, I'm really looking for some advice. I've recently found out I'm pregnant with my second child - very excited as this one took a while! I phoned the Drs surgery today and they said before booking in with a midwife, I need to decide which hospital I want to give birth at, Frimley or Surrey County. I didnt expect to have to make this decision so early and we only moved to the area last year so I said I'd do some research and let them know.

Now this is made a little harder for me because I had such a horrendous experience having my first baby. Not because of the birth, but the way I was treated - they were horrible. I had lovely midwives all through my pregnancy, but was extremely unlucky on the big day. I gave birth in the Homerton in Hackney - not my nearest hospital but I chose it because it had amazing facilitates and really wanted a water birth - I didn't get one as all pools were in use and the midwife couldn't be bothered with the blow up one.

I'm terrified of a repeat experience - I really want to be somewhere where they are nice to you and has a home from home environment and a pool. I also envisage needing help with BFing, with DS1 it was a disaster - he had tongue tie and did so much damage and I got no help.

I came across The Grange at Petersfield - it looks ideal but is a 35 min drive - is this too far? Would they take me? I gave birth last time on just gas and air (when I finally got into a room) and I did an episiotomy but that was because his hand was stuck by his head!

Other than that it's Frimley or Surrey County - I have heard Frimley is good but it only has one pool - I'm worried my chances of getting it are slim. Surrey County has a midwife led unit I believe...?

If anyone can tell me about these hospitals and their facilities and experiences that would be really helpful... Sorry for such a long thread!

[Icklepickle101]

Frimley has recently been redone and is absolutely lovely, look at Frimley Park Maternity Wars on Facebook and you should find photos. I think they may have more pools now and have double debs and bedside cribs like the Chico Next to Me ones.

No experience of the others, sorry!!

[TheCrazyDuchess]

Frimley xx

[saggyboobs1]

I had my first at Frimley, 2nd at Royal Surrey. Surrey was definitely the better experience. Is St Peters too far? They have redone their maternity ward and it is supposed to be fantastic.

[TimeforaDietCoke]

Hello and congratulations on your pregnancy. We had DS1 at The Royal Surrey in August. I had to have an EMCS in the end, stayed in for six days due to complications with DS and received excellent care. My pregnancy was high-risk, but for low-risk pregnancies they really encourage women to use the midwife-led unit - there are two rooms with birthing pools. There is also one high-risk pool. I would recommend The Royal Surrey, however I have no experience of Frimley. Friends have also had really good experiences at St Peters.

[Muskey]

My dd was born in frimley and quite frankly if it wasn't for the excellent care we both received neither she or I would be here

[Vcarroll]

Thank you everyone - seems like both hospitals have fans! It's nice to hear. I guess that hospitals outside London are going to be less busy so I'm hoping for a better experience...!

[Vcarroll]

In the process of checking out St Peter's...

[carrietwick]

Another vote for Frimley, just about to have my second there, I had complications after birth and they were fantastic. Also the labour ward has all been redone in the last year.

[CuppaSarah]

Gave birth 6 days ago at Frimley. I was hoping for the birth centre, but ended up induced very quickly after severe late onset pre eclampsia. The staff were incredible, they made what could have easily been a traumatic delivery really empowering and positive

Even the central delivery suite had a massive bath in the room, with handles for labouring and I was encouraged to use it. Despite my birth plan being based around a homebirth, my midwife did her absolute best ensuing whatever could be taken from it was and relayed it to the consultants, when I was too high off the gas and air.

The staff were all amazing and genuinely caring. You can't go wrong there.

[Vcarroll]

Thank you so much everyone for your feedback I really appreciate it!