Is Croydon Hospital maternity unit good???

[MsFoxy16]

Hello,

I am 20 weeks pregnant with my first child and I am in the catching area of Croydon University Hospital.I have started to be a bit nervous about the hospital as most of my friends heard bad thinks about it,apparently.I did a bit of research and I am in two minds now.Not sure if I should change the hospital or just stay here.Could anyone share your experience,please??

[JohnLapsleyParlabane]

I know several people who had their babies there recently and had good experiences. As with many places, the postnatal care seems to come in for most criticism. They do tour/information evening on the first Wednesday of the month at 7pm, maybe you could go to that and see what you think?

[MsFoxy16]

Thank you,JohnLapsleyParlabane.I am going for a tour on the 5th of July and hopefully I'll make up my mind after that

[babypeach]

I have had both babies with CUH one in 2010 and one in 2015. I found things have improved a lot. Second time round I had planned a home birth with the lovely Crocus team. Appointments at home and small team of midwives so good continuity. Pregnancy started straightforward but I was found to have GBS plus an unstable lie latt on in pregnancy. My midwife clearly explained options/risks/benefits of home birth v hospital given gbs. I chose to meet with consultant to come up with plan for homebirth which although outside protocol was carefully planned and supported by the teams. Despite this ended up choosing to go in as my membranes ruptured without any signs of labour so had hospital induction. Care there was fab, midwives were supportive and left me to get on with it (which is what i requested)as much as possible when not monitoring. Had a 4 day stay for gbs obs and early jaundice and found post natal care was busy but very good. Midwives were lovely and paeds very good too. Care was quick when needed and I was visited by the crocus team daily which helped a lot. Once home had lots of good support from crocus team (sad when they discharged me actually the visits were so reassuring!).

All in all a busy but good unit with brilliant home birth team if you choose that pathway

[sarahrosiepops]

I had my first at CUH and honestly it was awful. Birth and incompetence left me with PTSD as they messed up an episiotomy after not even asking my permission. It was botched and needing fixing under general weeks later. I had my 2nd baby at St Helier and they were opposite in every way and just so lovely and caring and equally horrified how CUH had treated me. I personally wouldn't recommend CUH but I had a bad time there. Others may have had a great time. Just my opinion.

[JellabysMum]

I have had two babies at Croydon University Hospital (CUH) and the care I received was great both times. I am currently under them again for my third baby, this time with the brilliant home birth team. My first daughter was born in the CUH birth centre in 2013. It was a pool birth in a lovely calm room. In 2014, my second daughter was born in the labour ward at CUH. Although a different experience as my baby was in distress, I cannot fault the care I received. From my own personal experience, I would recommend this hospital. I think the reputation it has is unfair, but I can only speak for myself. The care I am currently receiving under the Crocus home birth team is fantastic. I have every confidence in CUH x

[fatspanna]

I had my first baby at CUH in 2012 and then treatment following a miscarriage in 2016 and would never set foot in the place again. It was under staffed, crowded and honestly frightening and the level of post natal care was awful. I have a friend who suffered PTSD from her birth there also and is still terrified of the place. None of my wishes were listened to, everything was done with the bare minimum of information given to me and we were left in corridors, store rooms and overcrowded bays waiting for space on the post natal ward. I was sent home from triage twice before they admitted a me (something a I have since been told by the head of midwifery there that shouldn't have happened) and denied use of the birth centre because of being.overdue. The reality was that they didn't have enough experienced staff for the birth centre (again information I found out afterwards from the head of midwifery when she reviewed the birth with me) Most of the midwives were great, but everything else about that place is a bad memory. I was given an internal examination without my consent and the midwife wouldn't stop despite me screaming at her to do so. We made a formal complaint afterwards, but that sort of experience does not leave you.

I have just had my second child at The Princess Royal (PRUH) in Orpington and can highly recommend it. Such a different experience and so much better care. It was a lot less busy and cleaner, more spacious and way more friendly. Every single midwife I saw made a point of reading my birth plan and notes thoroughly and discussing things with me, something that was never done at CUH. The birth experience went as closely to what I wanted as possible (allowing for an unplanned induction) and I feel so much more positive about this birth than the last one, which brings me a bit closer to dealing with the awful experience at CUH. I have heard very few positive accounts from that place.

I've had good treatment at East Surrey too (another miscarriage) and have friends who have been there and had very positive experiences.

[Amyflo74]

Hi,

I had my son at CUH earlier this month. I found their care to be amazing. All the nursing staff, midwives and consultants I have met whilst in their care both ante natally and also during the birth have been amazing. I cannot fault them. They were kind, caring and professional at all times, I always felt confident that I was being looked after and had consistently outstanding care
I would not hesitate to recommend them. I considered other hospitals but ultimately I didnt want to end up stuck in traffic when in labour! I know I made the right choice.
I spend a night on the Hope Ward, then was on the labour ward, and then 6 nights in Mary Ward. All were great. The only criticism would be that there is no air con on Mary ward, so during the hot spell it was hard going. However, its the staff and the way that they care for you that in my opinion make it a positive or negative experience, as for the hospital itself, the faciliites are good, its really clean, the foods okay and its 10mins from my home. All good.

[Lalilulelo]

the hospital is rubbish but the staff are awesome. I just had my son on friday and i will never be going back there

[Debbie73]

My experience was not good at all. I came into active labour ,waters broke , I was at home alone about midnight. I phoned the labour ward as instructed and was told ' have a cup of tea dear and come see us in the morning , don't phone an ambulance , it's only for emergencies ! ' I put down the phone in tears , the contractions really started to come on , phoned ambulance anyway . The paramedics were horrified , my Blood pressure was about 200 /100 and contractions every 2 mins or so dilating quickly . My Labour was quick about 4/5 hrs ven though it was a first baby . Also when my son was actually coming out the midwife was busy with her back towards me and although I beckoned her to come over , he almost dropped on the floor. I just remember her making a mad dash for me at the last minute.
My experience was not unique . Sadly My neighbours child was still born because of there disregard and negligence . She was told to go home at the weekend after her waters broke , by Monday they couldn't detect a heart beat .
I don't want to worry you but the best advice is go with your gut instinct , if you go into labour you go to hospital and stay there . This is your child and your life not theirs , having a baby is life changing and will soon be the most important thing in your life

[surreymummy2017]

The midwives were nice and understanding so were the doctors, they made sure I was fed and when my newborn baby started and we didn't know why she just quietly said baby's nappy needs changing (without even checking) and she was right!

But everyones experience can be different so go where you feel you will feel at ease.

[brendansmum]

Hi

I had my first baby in April 2017 at Croydon Hospital and was a bit hesitant too, based on its reputation. We were there 5 nights and I was really impressed by how caring and attentive all the staff were. The hospital building leaves a lot to be desired but don't be put off by that - the maternity section is great.