Queens Hospital, Burton

[LoopyGreen]

Officially now high risk and can't give birth in the midwife centre I really wanted. I'm a bit gutted and the hospital I'm now at has a high rate birth by forceps and ventouse compared with others. Does anyone have any experience of giving birth here?

In the grand scheme of things I just want the least traumatic birth possible. I understand it is out of my hands but anything I can do to make the process less traumatic would is ideal!

[Mumof1DS]

Was it Samuel Johnson you wanted? Lots of my friends have given birth at Burton, even after transferring from Samuel Johnson mid labour. All had nothing but praise for the unit and staff.

[LoopyGreen]

@Mumof1DS it was! I chose Samuel Johnson because the unit is fab. Then had to be seen at Burton which is 25 miles (over an hour & 10 from our house) but we didn't mind as the birth was going to be at Samuel Johnson 5 5 miles from us. Just worried that in rush hour it has taken me 2 hours to get there before. If we get there and then get sent home that's 4 hours in the car. Then another 1.5-2 back potentially. Maybe I'm over-thinking...

[hownowhashbrowns]

I'm closest to Burton but no way would I give birth there (I went to Derby and then homebirth). It's a failing, non-teaching hospital. Go to Derby.

[LoopyGreen]

@hownowhashbrowns do you know anyone who has given birth there? I've looked on Which and other review sites and the consensus seems to be that it's good. Derby also have significantly higher percentages of c-sections, ventouse and forceps, and interventions even compared to Burton. It has lower ratings and don't think it'll be in my catchment area as it is about 35 miles away according to google... I'm not sold!

[hownowhashbrowns]

Yes - two. Both ended up with PTSD and one also unluckily contracted a superbug. I also know a midwife who worked there for 25 years - she was the one who advised me to go to Derby, where I had a fantastic experience.

It is true that Derby has a reputation for being over-cautious (hence increased c section rate etc etc), however it also sees many, many more women than Burton.

Sorry I missed on your OP that Derby was too far for you. Is Samuel J absolutely off the table? I've only heard really excellent things about it.

[LoopyGreen]

@hownowhashbrowns blimey... the antenatal care I've had at Burton has been excellent and I'm under a brilliant consultant. It's just hard to know what the actual maternity ward is like.

I'm in Staffordshire so don't think Derby would be doable.

Samuel J is meant to be fantastic and I'm quite gutted I can't give birth there. I'm high risk at the moment, and consultant led. The only way they'll take me is if I become low risk but doesn't look that way. If I had any issues I would end up being transferred from Samuel to Queens anyway!

[Mummyh2016]

One of my friends had her baby at Burton only yesterday! Haven’t spoken to her personally yet but I’ve been told it all went well.