bedford hospital or stevenage?

[mrsnich84]

I work at bedford so its been convenient for my scans and such like but Ive just looked at the NHS comparison thing and Stevenage seem to have such better facilities. Im not from this area and I only know one lady who had a baby at bedford which was an ECS so I dont have any opinions or experiences to go on. This is my first baby so I just wonder what any of you lovely mumsnetters thought? anyone had good/bad/indifferent experiences at either of these hospitals? they're both the same distance from my house.

I have the choice of either and would go for Bedford everytime. So much cleaner and nicer.

i had my first and will have my second at Lister (Stevenage). I had no problem with it (other than annoying admin but I am sur thats the same everywhere) and they are in the process of opening a brand spanking new maternity unit. Have never been near Bedford so can't compare the two I'm afraid.

The new delivery unit is now open at Lister. I have had a few issues with Lister though being generally unhelpful. My nearest hospital is WGC QE2 but opted for Lister because of new unit.

I had a choice of the Lister or the L&D. Friend had an awful experience at the Lister first time round and is opting for a home birth in a few weeks for DC2. Another friend discharged herself mid-labour and made her DH drive to the L&D I have no experience of Bedford but I would opt for that one over a hospital that could make a grown women do something so crazy!

thanks for your replies ladies. I think I'll stick with Bedford - at least I know my way around and the DH knows where the canteen is AKMD It must have been bad for her to discharge herself! Sometimes being staff can have its advantages - they tend to be a bit more on the ball - they know youre more likely to kick up a fuss and be listened to if they dont!

I had dc 1 in Bedford and couldn't fault it, hoping to have dc 2 there too in a couple of days! Was v clean, midwives went over and above to help out and generally couldn't do more. Know quite a few others here who had deliveries at Bedford too and apart from the odd whinge about grumpy midwives I haven't heard any bad things at all. No knowledge of lister I'm afraid

Can't comment on Bedford but I had DD1 at the Lister,the antenatal was excellent but the postnatal pretty appalling. DD1 was looked after by SCBU but remained on the PN ward with me, SCBU staff and the midwives didn't even talk to each other so no continuity of care. BF advice was non-existent as the midwives were just too busy, there was a lactation lady who only worked part time (great if baby needs BF part time!)
I was in for 2 weeks while DD1 gained weight, shoved in the corner of the short stay ward and basically ignored. Nothing guaranteed to cheer up a long stay mum more than seeing a line of more fortunate mums come and go No Patientline (don't know if that's changed)one phone for 20 mums in the middle of the day room and not brilliant loos either. Sanity was eventually saved by a wonderful Spanish Midwife who came on duty one morning, decided I didn't need to be there and made a few arrangements, I was home that night. Had DD2 in similar circumstances at the Rosie,better by a country mile. So all in all I'd head for Bedford.

Hi,
I gave birth at Lister two days ago and they were so helpful and good.. Its a new unit as well and very clean!
I loved it there and if I was to do it again I'd go with Lister.
Was such a lovely experience :)