New maternity unit Lister Hospital, Stevenage....

[NAM24]

Hi All
My midwife has asked me to choose my hospital and I am unsure. Most of my friends have been to Bedford and haven't heard anything bad but I am interested to know if anyone has any comments on Lister?
I live in between the two and so distance is pretty much the same.

I know the unit was only opened in December last year and am keen to get some feedback.

Thanks :-)

Friend just had DS2 there (Lister) and said its lovely, though afterward you get taken into the old wards, which are fine, just not lovely and new. I had DS1 there and have no complaints about the care, other than the crapness of the admin staff at the antenatal clinic. Will be having DD there in May.

Can I just butt in on this thread and ask are there any birthing pools at the Lister? Am having mine there in August and as just wondering? Any other info anyone has about the new maternity unit would also be greatly appreciated!

I am in there at the moment (on the ward being induced). Have not been to delivery yet but have looked round and it looks very nice. From what I remember at he moment there is only one room with a birthing pool butcher not fully open yet so this may change?

Ha ha sorry "butcher" should read "but it's" !!! Bloody iphone

A birthing pool butcher?! You had me really worried there for a second!
Thanks for the info!

Butcher probably would have been more apt the way I am feeling at the moment!

Hi the new mid wife led bit isnt yet open yet. I think its due Autumn and thats where the lovely new birthing pools will be. I think its a consultant led ward that is open now .. much to my disappointment!

At the moment I think there is one but as Whitey says, there will be more in the MW bit. I was told when I was there last time that you could bring in your own but not sure what they do about the logistics of that. They do now apparently have ensuite baths for all the delivery rooms so you could do stage 1 in water anyway.

Thanks everyone! I am due October so hopefully will all be open then. I have read that there are new birthing pools as I am hoping for a water birth also.

Hope all went well Sierra19 :) let us know how you got on.

Hi, I have had my two ds there in the old unit and am expecting my third in may who will also be born there... Midwife said that you can go on a visit around the maternity unit, there are every Saturday except bank holiday weekends, at 2pm. You just need to ring the labour ward number at 1pm to check they are not too busy.... I know of a couple of people who have had their children there recently and said it is lovely and that in some cases you can stay in your delivery room until you go home, so no need to necessarily transfer to older wards. Although in my experience, they are fine, if a little orange (very bright curtains!) I also know of someone who recently had her baby at Bedford, and also said it was fine, so guess either will be good. What made my mind up was that the road to Bedford hospital from us in one lane, cross-country and every time I use it, I get stuck behind a very slow tractor! Not ideal in labour situation... Good luck!