Hereford Hospital Maternity Unit

[ASmallKate]

Hiya,
I know this has been discussed before, but the last posts I can find are dated 2010. I'm due to have my first child this December and I have to chose between Hereford & Worcester hopsitals. I've seen terrifying reviews of both!! Does anyone have any up to date experience of Hereford? I'd really appreciate any advice...

[Stargazer99]

Hi ASmallKate,
I had a home birth in Herefordshire but had to go into Hereford for stitches afterwards. With a third degree tear I had to have an epidural and all the staff were really lovely and supportive. I got transferred from theatre to the ward at 4am and there is 4 to a room with curtains drAwn around each cubicle, which is great for privacy but felt at times I could have been checked on perhaps a few more times as I was exhausted with a newborn to get to grips with. But if I asked for any help they were always happy to help. Will carry on with conversation but have to put DD to bed. Have you hacked a tour of both wards?

[ASmallKate]

Thank you Stargazer99! Just to hear anything nice about either of them is good!
I'm not sure I'm brave enough to go for a home birth...esp as this is my first.
I've looked at their on-line ward information for both hospitals, and they look much the same to me. I'm due in late December - so I'm hoping this might be a quiet season for giving birth (that or I'll be doomed because all the midwives are at home with their own families eating mince pies and getting stuck in snow!).

[Stargazer99]

You will be fine come December time, I'm sure they keep the hospitals well staffed at that time of year, and what a nice Christmas present you will have. My home birth was with my first 8 weeks ago, I was adamant that I didn't want to go into hospital, unless there was any problem of course, so I don't have any experience of the delivery suite. Probably nearer the time your antenatal classes will bring you the opportunity to visit the ward and meet some of the staff. I haven't read any reviews on the hospital, but nothing stands out in my memory as a huge negative, yes there are little things, like the food, car parking prices could all be better. Hope that helps, I'll see if any of my friends had theirs at hereford and see what they say.
Also, not relevant to your question but I'm in north hereford and the midwives here, and it would seem the whole of hereford, are very supportive of home births, I had gas and air in canisters to hand, which I used of course! But it was a really positive experience so I'm an advocate of at home.

[laurasimms88]

hi, I recently gave birth on the 5th of June at hereford county hospital, I wasn't due until the 12th of June my waters went on the 3rd, they took 9 over 40 hours to induce me which I was told I wasn't supposed to go more than 24 hours due to a risk of infection, thankfully they had room too induce me the impression they gave was that the delivery suite was busy but once I was actually taken too the delivery suite the midwife who delivered my baby said it had been a quiet day, the room I got was huge it had a birthing bath toilet facilities etc really clean and tidy and the midwife who helped me deliver was absolutely amazing!!! I would 100% recommend hereford county this was my 2nd pregnancy and gave birth elsewhere first time- The care I got at hereford was outstanding. Hope this helps.

[ASmallKate]

Thankyou Laurasimms88 - that's exactly the sort of thing I was hoping to hear! And congratulations!!