Good Maternity Hospitals In West Midlands

[shelstar]

Hi,
just found out im pregnant and need to decide on a hospital but have no idea which to choose, closest one is Good Hope but have heard a few bad stories so bit unsure! other choices are walsall manor, russells hall or birmingham womens, any opinions would be greatly appreciated- tried talking to my GP but it was the usual 5 min appointment and he didnt really help.

[Littlefish]

Russells Hall have all individual rooms. I think that you labour in the same room as you stay in, but couldn't swear to it.

[ineedalcohol]

Hi,

Yes Russells's hall does have individual rooms, but still wouldnt recommend anyone go there.

IMO it is awful, had 2 bad experiences there and there is barely a week go by when you dont read in the paper that someone got treated badly cos of staff shortages/neglect. I also personally know people who have had bed experiences too.

I am going to birmingham womans, the clinic waiting times are horrendous, but rather there than Russells Hall.

[Likeaheadlesschicken]

I have to say I had a great experience at Russels Hall, the midwives were all fantastic but unfortunately are over stretched which does ultimately have an impact on the level of care. Fingers crosses DC2 will be born there in November.

[saoirse86]

I had my dd at Birmingham womens, so did my sister and 11 of my friends (met at post natal groups). I think only a few of my friends had good experiences during the labour/birth. Many of us found staff were unhelpful, unsympathetic, didn't involve us much in decision making etc etc. I especially found the staff couldn't care less during the night. I went in when having strong regular contractions and was 4cm but was told they were too busy and I was coping ok so to go home (at that point I was 5cm).

But overwhelmingly we found the care on the postnatal wards terrible. Most of us were struggling with breast feeding and were encouraged to try formula and made to feel guilty if we wanted to persevere. I wasn't let out until I finally gave in and agreed to formula feed, and that was on day 6.

Ideally I wouldn't want to go back there but I live very close to it and I think the journey while you'll be labouring is worth thinking about. It was a 15 minute journey for me and that was awful. If you decide to go somewhere that's a fair drive away, and then happen to get to the serious part during rush hour you could end up in the car for a long time - not fun at all!

A friend had a baby at Birmingham women's and had a terrible experience and then had a baby in march at good hope and said she had a much better experience there.

If you do decide on the women's make sure you set aside approx 4 hours for your scan app's. They take a very long time!

[ineedalcohol]

saoirse86, you have made me very nervous!

Am quite surprised about the lack of help with breastfeeding though, as they seem to really promote this and dont even provide formula!

Scan appointments really do take the piss though, I have so many cos I am high risk I have a scan every 4 weeks, so hard to find someone to keep watching my Ds all the time!

Quick question though do they allow small suitcases cos all my stuff aint gonna fit in no overnight bag thats for sure!

I spose there are good and bad stories about every hospital though, but I'm not about to take the risk.

[shelstar]

Thanks for your stories, am thinking about Walsall manor as it's fairly close. Anyone been there???

[LoveInAColdClimate]

Oh god, I am going to Birmingham Women's. Is it terrible, then? Is the midwife unit also awful?

[saoirse86]

Ineedalcohol We all had our babies between September and November last year, so things may have changed, but there most definitely was formula provided. I was in there for 6 days and there was only one other woman who tried to bf. As it happens I met her after about 3 months and we're now good friends and she was also talked into formula feeding and made to feel guilty for wanting to bf. Some of these women I know did successfully bf without the support but many of us didn't.

The care wasn't necessarily awful in the birth centre and delivery suite but I think they're over stretched, like in most hospitals, and they seemed to want you to not be there. They didn't want you there unless absolutely necessary, and were very quick to use some kind of intervention to speed things along. To be fair, once I was in I was very well looked after and was glad I had the midwife I had because she was lovely. I didn't have any intervention as I was adamant I wanted to do it naturally so they let me push for over 4 hours even though they're not "supposed to".

I think it's the kind of place that you need to be very headstrong and have a birthing partner who knows exactly what you do and don't want. My sister gave birth a week before me. They didn't consult her that much, changed plans constantly, different people said different things, every Tom, dick and harry was in and out of her room, tons of student doctors, I was with her and I felt scared and confused so I don't know how she felt! I think that's why I was a bit more forthright when it came to me being in labour as I didn't want to end up with an emcs.

I'm sure those who go there will be fine as long as you know what you do and don't want and have a confident and supportive birthing partner. And if I go there again any time I'll probably just discharge myself after a day or two.

[shelstar]

Has anyone tried any of the midwife led units? Would be great to hear from people who had positive experiences, but get the feeling it is a bit of pot luck as each seems to have positive and negative stories.

[mint123]

Hi ladies,

I had my DD3 3years ago at Birmingham Women's Hospital. The waiting time is really long but the consultants and MW's are great. I was under consultant care due to my health condition and have been scanned 2-4 weekly. Labour ward was fine had no problem with bf. They didn't seem to force anybody to formula feed or bf at that time. From July they'r no longer provide formula milk so you have to take your own supply.
I am 34weeks pregnant and again had no problem so far. Most of the MW's and other staff of the Hospital r friendly and supportive. Of course everybody have different needs and expectations.
The only thing I was not happy with is the lack of respect from other mum(s).i couldn't rest after birth because one of the mum was on the phone all night...A private room would be nice. :)

[KateBishop]

I had my son at Walsall Manor Hospital in March, and my sister had her son here just last week and I am adamant I will never go back here. Firstly, its important to mention that the staff are hugely over-stretched by the recent closure of Sandwell Hospital, however the ward staff's treatment of women who are frightened and in pain is, quite frankly, inhuman.

I had already been in labour for 24 hours by the time my contractions were 4 mins apart, and whilst on the phone to the delivery suite I was informed by a midwife that I really should wait until my contractions were more frequent before bothering them, and that I would most certainly be sent home if I wasn't in labour. I asked her if she would mind actually examining me before attempting to diagnose whether or not I was in labour over the phone, at which point she hung up on me. Her name in Tracey, by the way, and to this day I would still cheerfully thump her if I ever saw her.

Tracey checked me over, and discovered I was only at 1 cm dilated. I advised her that we have a family history of not being able to dilate (both my mother and sister suffered the same and had to have c-sections), by this point my contractions were even more frequent, and could I stay in because things did not feel right. She said no and sent me home. Got home, waters broke, phoned delivery suite, same midwife answered, I was advised to return to the Manor.

Upon return I was experiencing one long, continual contraction, she examined me whilst I was very distressed and told me I was still at 1 cm. My partner told her that he would not take me home, so she arranged for a bed. I asked her if I could have pain relief, at which she remarked that I was not in labour as I was only 1 cm, and couldn't have any pain relief until I was at least 3 cms. I asked her just how bad the pain could possibly get, to which she responded 'You can still talk to me, can't you?'

When I was on the ward, I spent 6 hours in pain believing I couldn't have gas & air, until a lovely nurse asked me if I would like some pain relief. I told her that Tracey had said I couldn't have any yet, which she told me was absolute rubbish. Was in labour for a total of 2 days, after which, as I suspected, I required an emergency c-section, and both my son and I contracted an infection during the labour.

Delivery suite experience was great, they were very caring, but back on ward same problems with staff so jaded by the job that they just don't care anymore. Left in dirty bed after my c-section, expected to care for baby without any help after surgery, buzzer left unanswered, made to feel like a diva when I asked for help, left hospital hugely depressed, having not slept for the entire 6-days I was there. My sis experienced the same conditions during her recent stay, and neither of us will ever return to that awful place.

[Violetroses]

Hello.

I have had both my DSs at Birmingham Womens, and am due to have DS3 there (hopefully at the the midwife-led birth centre) next month.

With DS1 in 2007 I was admitted to the delivery suite after three days of contractions. It wasn't great - I concentrated hard on a dirty patch of floor in the corner at the height of the pain. The bed wouldn't lower down and it felt like I was teetering like an elephant on top of a mountain. There was no en suite loo, so I had to venture out into the brightly-lit, noisy corridor and past bored teenage boys/ relatives/ random people to get there.

However, afterwards, when things went wrong and I haemorraged, I couldn't have been in a better place. The staff acted quickly and efficiently to get me into theatre, were really kind and made sure could see DS, and he was close to me, all the time. I just felt extremely grateful that I was in good hands when it mattered.

As someone else said, the post delivery ward was very busy and I couldn't wait to get home - but that was mostly because of the selfish behaviour of other mums, not the staff.

DS2 was born last year in the much happier atmosphere of the birth centre. I couldn't recommend that highly enough. There was an ensuite bathroom, the midwife let me reorganise the room, and put a mattress on the floor; the lights were dimmed; we had a lot of the privacy I craved. Best of all I was out and home 6 hours later - and we weren't moved out of "our" room, so we had lots of time to talk and bond with our little boy.

That said, the birth centre isn't always available - they shut it when demand peaks and all staff have to man the delivery suite. However, my next door neighbour has just had her second in the delivery suite and said it's much improved since she had her first.

Best of luck with your decision...but don't get too caught up in the details - I've discovered that childbirth is one of those things in life where you don't have that much control!

[AppleAndBlack]

Hi,
I've had 2 children at Birmingham Womens... and tbh I couldn't recommend it as a beacon hospital of care provision!

6 years ago I turned up at the mw-led unit with my pfb 9cm dilated, full-on contractions, to be told they were shutting due to staff shortage. 24 hours later, when they finally discovered my DD was OP they performed emcs. The ward was pretty much filthy- including people's blood in the shower (1 shower between 14 or so women).
Breastfeeding support was good though- trained adviser on ward each day.
Noise was horrific- I didn't sleep for 24 hours and begged to be sent home (DD slept through it all!)

3 years ago I had my 2nd. It was much cleaner this time, though there were more of us sharing a shower! It was slightly quieter though as I was off in a side ward with only 1 other (who went home very quickly)- didn't get much sleep though, as DS decided to feed for most of the 48 hours after his birth.

Still not enough staff, mind you.

I understand they have ceased to provide formula now.

[AppleAndBlack]

If any of you are South Bham, there is a great bf support group run from Poplar Road health centre in kings heath btw. I think you can go regardless of where you live tbh.... never seen anyone turned away.

[familyfun]

had 2 kids at walsall manor, they are overstretched but did all they could to help and had excellent help with bf, would go there again

[deardear]

Lichfield has a midwife led unit. Samuel Johnson hospital. supposed to be very very good. quite few from the Sutton Coldfield area actually do go to either Lichfield or to Burton (which is excellent!)

Never been to Good Hope but it is known locally as No Hope. Has had plenty of bad press in the past as has Walsall Manor. They would have to knock me out before I would cross the door of Stafford Hospital as well.

[DaveyStott]

Hello
I had my baby at Russells Hall in May and generally I had a positive experience. There were a couple of sour faced MWs who made you feel guilty for asking for something, but most of the MWs and assistants were brilliant. Lots and lots of BF support. I had a few complications in the last trimester, so had to keep visiting the day unit and they were all lovely there too. I would recommend Russells Hall to anyone, however I have heard that they are starting to restrict the number of births from out of area as they are so overstretched with Sandwell closing.

[Vettiebop37]

Hi, I'm having my first baby and not sure what hospital to go to. I'm only 6 weeks at the moment. My nearest hospital is Good Hope but I'm not 100%. I have been to university hospital Coventry and visited the maternity unit and impressed with it but it is 20 miles away from where I live where as Good Hope is only 11 miles. Any advice is greatly received.
Thank you in advance.

[EstebanTheMagnificent]

@vettbop37 you would be best off starting a new thread to get recent experiences rather than bumping one that’s eight years old. I had a good experience at Warwick recently if you’d like to PM me.

[Kezmum14]

Birmingham women’s hospital are the reason I have a healthy 6 year old. I’d recommend it to anyone. Wonderful hospital and staff.
Unfortunately it’s not a hospital near me and my son was transferred to them at 19hrs old.

[elb1504]

I'm going to Good Hope, they've been good with antenatal care but do not have any birth experiences yet.

I've heard good and bad about pretty much every Midland hospital, there are always going to be good and bad experiences as everyone views things differently. Personally I've chosen Good Hope for location don't want to be travelling miles when in labour.

[Vettiebop37]

Thank you everyone. I know I still have a while to go but i wanted to start getting things sorted.