Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow

[Claz1001]

Hi, is anyone else planning on giving birth here or have you previously? We have recently moved to Buckhurst Hill and had the choice of Whipps Cross or Princess Alexandra. Went for the latter even though it is further away as I have heard good reports about it. Would be great to hear any positive or negative experiences of the ante natal and maternity services, and also if anyone else on here is likely to be there around the 12th November! My due date is the 19th but am expecting to be booked in for an ELCS a week before that due to a second breech baby + previous CS.

Many thanks,

Claz

I was born there! But it was over 30 years ago

I am sure someone with actual helpful advice will be along soon

I am in Loughton and had that choice. After dreadful early pregnancy experiences at both of them we made alternative arrangements (ie went private) but PA has improved a lot I hear in the last 7 years so I would go there,

oh to add my friend was due an ELCS at PA due to her first being breech, she went into labour early and when she got to hospital they fobbed her off to the extent she ended up with a VB which she really, really didn't want!!

Oh no, I don't want a VB either! Went into labour early with DD, the day before my elective, so ended up having an EMCS. Don't think this one is going to turn either though, seems to be the way I carry them. Better get booked in good time!

Good to hear you were born at PA, CompetitiveChutes, I hope it was a pleasant experience!

A lady in my NCT group gave birth there. From what I heard, I didn't like the sound of it. I also know someone else who had problems there and their baby was very poorly afterwards as issues had been missed (meconiu in water, decreasing heartbeat, etc). I am not sure that they have a NICU either?

2 ladies in my NCT group gave birth at Whipps and had better experiences and the MWs were very supportive postnatally. I gave birth at Tommy's which was good because I am high risk and they had a NICU which my DS needed but the postnatal care was pretty bad.

Personally, if I were having a baby am my local hospital, I would go to Whipps, even though I am not a big fan of the hospital generally. That said, my friend who gave birth at Harlow would give birth there again.

GL!

I have had two babies (2002 and 2003 so before the refurb/MLBU) at PAH and also worked there (am a doula) and know several PAH midwives and cannot recommend it highly enough. I know several people who have made the same choice as you living in the area you do and were not sorry. As a contrast I have not heard good stories about Whipps and frequently meet couples going "out of area" to go to Harlow.

Have you looked at the BirthChoice website and/or been on a tour? (if they are running them at the mo.).

I gave birth in the birthing unit at PAH six weeks ago and I can't fault my experience there. Obviously you would be in the labour ward but I was also very impressed with that when we had our tour. The midwife team are fab and I would really recommend it. All the best!

Had both mine there (2003 and 2006) and was good both times. My DD (03) was emerg c-section at 3am and the staff appeared out of no-where to to do the op (well it seemed like they did!). My DS was VBAC and we were in and out v quickly - 6 hr discharge which is what I wanted.

I've had both my babies at pah...the second last friday! I can't recommend them enough. The first birth was nearly 3 years ago and was a very long difficult labour. We must have been looked after by about 6 different midwives in total and they were all wonderful. That was in the labour ward.

This time around we were in the midwife led unit which is separate to the labour ward. Even though they'd had to close because they were so busy and the midwives had been working flat out for hours...it was still a wonderful experience. Our midwife was so supportive, encouraging and made it as easy for us as possible. Should we ever think about no 3 (lol) we'll be going back!

I know of several others who've been there and had good and not so good experiences but I think this is the case everywhere to be honest.

Thanks for the responses, it really helps to hear about previous experiences, both good and bad. There will always be a mixture of both wherever you go, I guess, but the majority of cases seem to be good.

I will definitely book myself onto a tour, the midwife mentioned that last time I was there.

Congratulations on your new baby, littlebearsmummy!

CC - me too! 1973. LOL

It were rubbish

I had two utterly wonderful births at PAH

My last one was particulalry amazing - had a fab waterbirth

I cannot fault the MWS who attended go me and helped facilitate 2 great experiences

I gave birth last year there, and although I didn't give birth in the MLU i stayed there overnight and it was veer y comfortable with big bays, nursing chairs and it was lovely and quiet

Quiet sounds good, I'm hoping to have a bit of a rest while I'm there! Wishful thinking...

Congratulations to you too, JessieEssex (sorry, only just seen your posting)! Hope all going well.

Getting excited about it now, not long to go.