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Childbirth

Any Essex girls with hospital reccomendations?

7 replies

EllieorOllie · 20/02/2009 16:17

Hi

Am 36+1 today, and taking my DD to visit my parents in Essex for the next week. I have had a show this week, and have also had loose bowels. Baby is big and midwife is predicting that I will probably pop in the next fortnight. Obviously there's a reasonable chance that things will kick off while i'm with my parents, which is not ideal but i need a contingency plan!!!

So... anyone got any hospital reccomendations? Parents are in the Epping/Loughton area, so I'm guessing that the Princess Alexandra in Harlow is the closest. Have a feeling that their maternal mortality rate was one of the worst in the country last year though. Anyone have any good experiences there, or any other ideas? I guess Broomfield Hospital is also a possibility.

Advice would be gratefully received...

OP posts:

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Fanfare · 20/02/2009 20:20

I had my DS in St John's, Chelmsford. It is an old Victorian type building, not moving to new premises at Broomfield for another year yet I believe. I had a c-section and had no complaints - theatre staff absolutely excellent, but obviously I have no experience of labour midwives. There's a birthing pool if that's your thing. They have a number of private rooms on the postlabour ward (subject to availability) that you can pay for if you prefer not to be on a ward. Even though my time there coincided with a v busy period, I was never neglected by the really busy postlabour midwives and I had good care, though I have to say I was discharged very quickly. I've never heard anything bad said about St John's and will be having my second there, so yes I would recommend it! Hope it all goes well for you!

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samshepp · 21/02/2009 13:05

I had both of mine there and must say both experiences were good...well not pain wise but you know what i mean...and i wrote to praise the midwives that attended.
But everyone has different experiences at different hosptials so that just my opinion!

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Mummywannabe · 21/02/2009 20:37

I had my Ds at St Johns and the postlabour ward were fab, very clean etc. However i had him at a very busy time and was left on my own for 10 hours (first baby thought it was normal to be ignored). Must say that when DH mentioned it to the sister in the ward she was horrified and took notes and action so on the whole i would say it was good.

Male midwife who delivered my Ds was superb, would recommend Simon! (he went off shift straight after so he was not the one who forgot me!)

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JamInMyWellies · 21/02/2009 20:46

I gave birth at St Johns and it was a fab experience. I started off in the WJC midwife led unit in Braintree and transferred to St JOhns as I had a collywobble and demanded an epidural (which I didnt get as there wasnt time)but my midwifes were fantastic and the after care was brill too.

Good Luck!

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loopsngeorge · 23/02/2009 18:41

Another vote for St Johns! I've just had my baby girl there and my DS 4 years ago and they were brilliant both times. They're just so nice and really look after you on the postnatal ward which doesn't seem to be the norm now from what I hear about other people's experiences.

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childrenchildreneverywhere · 25/02/2009 10:34

I have to put in an anti vote for St.Johns and a "yay" vote for Harlow.

I've had two children at Harlow, they have a wonderful new birth center and the care there is great. I'm also a doula and have doula'd for clients booked at both St. Johns and Harlow and this has only confirmed my opinions above!

Am sure it will be irrelevant for you though :-)