Chelsea a d Westminster

[Strix]

Has anyone recently given birth at C&W? I am wondering if you could give me any tips on things they did well/not so well/stuff I should bring/don't need to bring/etc.

I am having a planned section on the 16th, so don't really need tips on labour, but obviously interested in postnatal advice.

Thank you!

Get someone to stay overnight with you. If you need something (bed pan included) you will be better looked after if someone who has not been through it can do asking / backing up for you.

I had induced labour on private ward at the C&W. Everything was fine if not perfect - but the night staff did NOT mop the floor after the birth despite the doctor specifically asking them to do so. Also my bed bath was me being handed a flannel and asked to wipe myself. I was comparing this to private birth at the Portland where they were a lot more caring in the night if you needed help.

And when I was there it was not busy, I only needed 2 things in the night but I was interrupting gossip sessions and they seemed generally more lax / disengaged than the day staff.

That sounds pretty dreadful. But, DH will be going home to look after DD (7) and DS1 (5) over night. SO, I don't think anyone can stay with me. But, I will make a point of making requests for anything I think I might need over night before he goes. SO thanks for that.

When were you there?

Dec 2007 three years ago yesterday exactly . I was very polite and it occurred to me after that I needed to be firmer. And it was my 2nd go around, so I should have known better.

Also, if you can, I would keep the baby in the room with you overnight and call nurses in to help change etc as needed. We kept our DD in the "nursery" just from 10pm til 8am and while she was changed she wasn't wiped and had a very sore bottom which was heartbreaking to see and entirely my fault at the end of the day. I should not have done that.

that's terrible, given how much money they charge. who was your consultant there?

Marwood. Excellent. He really was a complete star from start to finish. If you're looking for bedside manner during a normal pregnancy from him you won't get it, he's more interested in the problem cases, but he is just so amazing on the day and conducted the whole thing perfectly. I had asked the on site midwife when the epidural would be coming as I wanted it (8am induction now about mid day) - and she kept putting me off - he got on the phone with her for an update and said "has she asked for an epidural? - ...then get her one, now!" which I could hear. He was a complete hero. I don't know if he is still there as he had halved his deliveries in 2007 in a wind down to retirement.

Oh an overnight nursery... I don't they offer such things to the NHS patients. I has DS1 at QC in 2005. And, the midwives were a bit stroppy, and so I left my bedside manner in the bed. WE had a little disagreement about whether I could aepress colostrum with a syringe and then give to baby. She said "We don't do that" I said "I do." and she said "What's your name?" and I replied "Strix, what's yours?" When the paediatrician came round, I asked him if she was going to call my mum. And he conceded that the midwives could be a bit "overwhelming".

So, I have learned to smuggle in and do as I please when they are not looking. I've got snacks they won't like me eating just after surgery and a few soon-to-be sterilised syringes.

I've had 2 babies at C&W (2005 & 2007) by booked section, and having my third in Feb 2011.

Both births were lovely, I have really happy memories of them. The lovely thing about an elective section is that you avoid the panic and stress surrounding the procedure.

The atmosphere pre-surgery was very calm, we were in a bay, ready to go quite early on, then DH was given his scrubs to wear, and we walked to the theatre (that was prety surreal!). During the procedure itself the epidural took a while to site, and I felt pretty ropey with v low BP, but I felt calm and well cared for.

DH was very included in the procedure and when DS's were born he was encouraged to kiss and cuddle them until they were handed over to me.

My only gripes are with postnatal care, which is similar to most London hospitals where the midwives seem to want you out pretty quickly and were not particularly attentive!! I second asking for whathever you want, because it may not be offered. Breastfeeding didn't get off to a great start with DS1, and I think that may be partly due to the midwives offering absolutely no help at all in this area. With DS2 I asked a midwife to watch him latch on which she was happy to do, but help wasn't offered.

Good luck!!

Ask for Yvonne Inch or Guiseppe to help with BF on post natal ward. They are the BF councellors there and I have heard are very good.

Oh thank you. Some good BF tips there.

I've had 3 sections at C&W (NHS), two of them electives. Most recent was elective in 2009. Both my electives were fantastic, really happy calm wonderful births. Everyone involved was happy, chatty friendly. Do decide what you want though (e.g. I wanted to hold the baby skin to skin under my gown while I was stitched up so when they asked me if I had brought vest and babygro into theatre I said no as I wanted the baby tucked onto my chest and they were fine with that and helped to sort it out). The recovery ward was also v good I found.

When they wheel you into the wards ask if you can be put by a window (if there is a bay free) as there is a lot more space.

The day staff were great, but night staff were AWFUL. Be strong. Press that buzzer when you need something and make them do it, do not be shy or polite about it.

I'd also suggest that you get your DH to bring in a couple of nice pillows from home (in coloured pillow cases so they don't get mixed up with hospital ones) for comfort and to help prop up the baby while bf.

Some good tips. Will be having my fist ELCS in March. Can't fault the ante-natal care. I have Mark Johnson - what an absolutely lovely person.

I had DD at C&W in August 2008. Was in the high-risk team under Guy Thorpe-Beeston. He couldn't have been nicer or more helpful and he gave me good info then left the choice up to me whether I have VBAC or ELCS. Opted ELCS which was a great epxerience and after care was pretty good. The only hairy moments for me were:

• being transferred from HDU to ward during shift change meant I was left for a couple of hours when I needed some help sorting myself out
• I wanted to leave on the Friday but it wasn't sorted quickly enough which meant I had to stay an extra night.

Agree re. the pillows. I took in my big v. pregnancy pillow and found it really helpful with getting comfy and supporting DD.

I had DD in C&W in September 2008. I'd just say all the normal things really: pillows, anti bac wipes for wiping down toilet seat/shower, dark coloured bath towels, lots of snacks (food was scarse and cold by the time it got to me) and your phone charger (they don't seem to mind you using mobiles in the ward).

The labour room team and daytime midwives were excellent- night staff, not so. Best of luck.

BTW I sent DH out to Carluccio's across the road for yummy take-away

Had ds there in Oct. Not a cs but epidural and lost a lot of blood so was on post-lab wards with cs women. Care I received was excellent. Took 2 extra pillows, didn't think the bathrooms were as bad as I expected (am a bit ocd about loos being clean but was fine), it was really hot on the ward so outside of visiting times I sat around I knickers! - mw came round curtain once, beat a rapid retreat in embarrassment and I had to call her back and say that was as "decent" as I was going to get! I was bf almost constantly and simply pretended it was skin-to-skin!

Vag that is funny! I hope they were your best paper knickers!

I had my dd there and the care was brilliant. There were various complications which meant we had to stay for 4 nights but very happy. Excellent postnatal ward and good bfing support. :)