Anybody recently given birth at Norfolk and Norwich Hospital?

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How was it?

Bump

Yes, I have! DS is 12 weeks and DD is 2.10. They were FAB both times.

DDs birth was very long (33 hours start to finish) and I was in the delivery suite for over 24 hours and so had several different midwives but they were all very supportive. The anaesthetist for my eventual epidural was a bit short with me(!) but the midwives were wonderful. The midwife who was on overnight (DD was born at 8.57 am) was supposed to go off shift at 7am but stayed until she was delivered as she had promised me a baby before she finished work! I felt they really respected my birth plan and when things went wrong they really talked over all the options before we decided what to do. On the postnatal ward they helped me with breastfeeding very well I thought.

DS's birth was very different (waterbirth) but again the staff were fab. Because I had a waterbirth the midwife stayed with me throughout and she was absolutely brilliant. Really supportive of the waterbirth and looked after DH well too. I did stay on postnatal ward overnight (DS was born at 21.02) but wished I hadn't as I didn't need their help with bf this time and it took ages the following day for the paed to discharge us. But other than that, both were very positive experiences.

Hope this helps! Highly recommend the waterbirth.

I've just checked your profile. Have you had your baby? Was your experience not as positive then?

My ds is 10mo, he was prem and I had PE so was in every part of the maternity unit and the staff were universally wonderful.

No it was shit last time and I am 38 weeks and dreading going in again hence 3 year gap.

I had DS (2yr6m) and DD (8wks) at the N+N. First time out was a fair nightmare as I had a placental abruption and all sorts of complications. But the staff were great in delivery. This time round, I was quite nervous, but the staff were great again. The midwife and anaesthetist (elsc) in particular went out of their way to answer my exhaustive questions and stop me worrying, and it was all very smooth.

Being honest, the postnatal ward wasn't a universally great experience, as on some days they did seem less well staffed. It just meant that they took a bit longer to answer the call bells. No one gave any sign that they were hassled and were still happy to help. Also, I knew what to expect this time and took stuff like extra snacks and drinks, and headphones.

Hopefully, like me, you might have a completely different experience this time! Good luck

Evening bump.

last bump

teeny bump

I had dd there 3yrs ago and am 8wks pg. I'm dreading going back tbh. That doesn't help does it?

I am in same situation, but am 39 weeks and dreading it!

Are you low risk? Is the birthing centre (Gilchrist is it?) still open just over the border? In Eye I think. You can self refer there iirc. Otherwise, King's Lynn has received absolutely excellent reviews of their maternity care recently. They've turned the place around I've been told. Is that too far?

I'll be a vbac or elcs case so don't have the choice of hb or birthing unit. I have had one to one sessions with an obstetric consultant who deals with birth trauma. He is excellent and will deliver this next baby. I know at 39 weeks you're nearing the end but you could ask to see him? He was just brilliant and completely understands birth trauma. I can always pm you with his details if it's something you want.

Can you pinpoint what it is you're worried about? Which aspect of care? Actual delivery? Postnatal care?

I have had several friends and my SIL give birth there recently and all very happy indeed. I was v abrupt earlier (on my way out), but wanted to let you know I've been there and understand.

Obstetric consultant is at the N&N btw. His wife had a traumatic delivery and he understands the medical as well as the human aspect.

yep had dd there 9wks ago today and had a lovely experience, brilliant midwives and a painful but natural birth despite being induced.

the midwives really were great and i was in from 8am sat till the sunday morning and so met a few, all were lovely.

i had my four boys at the n&n as well and have to say the midwives have always been really nice and ds4 was a water pool birth.

met a few umm 'annoying' registras and consultants, but have always had good midwives, maybe that was just luck? but all my experinces have been positive.

and the gilchrist centre is still open and is also a very nice place,i have visited but always go too overdue to be able to birth there.

It was ok, despite the fact that I was planing a hb. Was induced in the end.

The major problems I had with it were the seeming inability of the consultants to listen to what I wanted and discuss things with me in an informed way. Though I stood my ground successfully and found the mws v supportive.

And the other was the wait - N&N has a closed doors policy and I didn't want to find myself going to King's Lynn or James P, but in the end, when it mattered for me, there was no bloody closed doors policy and I had to wait, wait, wait at every turn, as they were always full. Despite the fact my waters had gone 5 days earlier, I kept getting bumped. Nearly gave birth in the side room, though they don't like that "because of the paperwork". Had to wait for my spinal for the forceps delivery, had to wait to be discharged (they actually couldn't agree on how long they wanted me to stay in!).

So the people, no - the systems, yes. Which is why I'm opting for a hb again.

Though all in all, it wasn't terrible. Just not what I wanted, and not what I expected.

lindy, their systems are terrible.

I transferred in during an attempted homebirth and had been pushing for 6hrs. DD was well and truly stuck (ear first it turned out) and had to wait nearly 2hrs for an anaesthetist in order to have an emcs. Then was put back onto the delivery suite as the wards were full.

Waiting was like a theme.

Yes, in October - lovely midwives, especially a young one called Hannah, one lovely postnatal ward nurse, one really annoying one who was soooo sloooow at typing up notes that she couldn't discharge me whilst dh and ds were there, so I had to drive myself home. And then she told me it was my fault for passing a blood clot that afternoon and slowing things down! Overall a good experience, and that was an induction. Also gave birth there two years ago, and good again despite trickier labour. Good luck!