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Pregnancy

Princess Royal Hospital

5 replies

Isthereeverarightime1 · 15/04/2016 08:42

Does anyone have any experience of the maternity ward here - it's based in Haywards Heath!
I had my first baby at East Surrey but don't wish to go back there again for this baby so if anyone has any experience I would be grateful 🙂

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vroc81 · 15/04/2016 12:58

Four weeks ago, can't fault the antenatal and during labour care it was brilliant! Really really good, delivery suite was really nice. Big rooms well equipped and we were well looked after.

Postnatal left a bit to be desired but we were in when they were so packed they closed and diverted to Brighton.. You would ask for help feeding for example and they'd appear about 30 minutes later by which time we'd often tried on our own and I'm not sure why you would wake a new mum at four am when she's finally asleep to find out about wee or to locate notes... (Doctor and a midwife about 10 minutes apart.. )! Don't pack much either if all six beds are full in a room you really don't have room to sneeze in your little blue curtained cell.

Oh and the food is terrible!

That said Others in my NCT group have had better experiences and really positive experiences with the postnatal care when it's been quieter and those diverted to Brighton have also found there really good so maybe I was just unlucky.

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mrsyeti · 15/04/2016 14:03

I have had both DDs at Princess Royal. 1st DD was May 2014 and an EMCS due to her being in distress and I was really well looked after throughout the time we were there. Had DD2 7 weeks ago via ELCS and again could not fault the staff at all. Stayed in overnight for both and yes the staff are constantly busy but nothing is ever too much trouble for them. I would highly recommend Princess Royal to anyone

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Isthereeverarightime1 · 15/04/2016 14:07

Thank you, east Surrey were great during the day but the night staff wasn't as helpful as we were led to believe, we were in the post c section ward and the nurses were suppose to come and get baby out of the cot for you so we didn't have to get up so soon but I found the nurse very distant and unwilling to assist! My ds was not getting any milk from me so he was awake a lot that night and I was in agony so I am trying to avoid that situation again!
Food was awful there too - maybe that's across the board

I'm pleased to hear you had a good experience, mostly!

Did you get to go and take a tour?

I am concerned that if I choose the Princess Royal that the aftercare if they are busy will be the same as East Surrey!
Thank you for sharing

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mrsyeti · 15/04/2016 20:12

I don't think they do tours due to health and safety etc on the wards however with both of my c sections the midwives and health care assistants were fab in helping me get both my DDs out of their cots to feed and change them (I was formula feeding and they would get me the formula too). I am pretty sure that all of the staff that helped me actually changed their nappies for me too as I was still sore from the sections until I was up and on my feet. They were very busy on my 2nd section as Brighton was shut but I did not feel that the care had suffered from my first experience. Good luck!!

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Isthereeverarightime1 · 16/04/2016 18:55

Thank you, I will have a think about which one to go with! The day staff were fab with me too and did change my ds nappies which I was pleased about as its all so new and scary.
Thank you for sharing your experience