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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Cardiff Birth: Any way to secure a private room for after consultant led birth?

42 replies

wishwales · 13/04/2011 15:02

I am meant to be giving birth at the Heath Hospital in Cardiff consultant led unit. The only info I have seems to say that after delivery, I will be placed in a giant ward with 22 other mums/babies and that my DH can't stay the night. This leaves me totally horrified. Does anyone have any ideas/tips/suggestions for avoiding the ward and having my own room for the duration?? I am desperate and I will pay! TIA

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rasta · 13/04/2011 17:44

Hi, as far as I know there is only the main ward as far as the consultant care goes. Not sure of your circumstances but could you go under Midwife Care and give birth in the MLU downstairs?

I had both DDs in the MLU and they only have private rooms with en suite and DH could stay with me the whole time. Double bed too!

cowboylover · 13/04/2011 18:41

My friend who was there was on the ward in the CLU adnd I dont remember seeing any rooms when I was there.

Can your Midwife help with more information?

I am going to the CLU in Abergavenny next month and DH visiting times are only 12-2 and 5-8 so I am nervous about it as well, cant imagine him not being there much and for him having to be home alone wanting to be with us.

gloyw · 13/04/2011 19:26

There are separate rooms, I'm not sure how many, though. If they aren't occupied, you can ask to pay for them privately. I don't know who you would ask, but if you phone the ward, they should be able to tell you. I know you can't 'book in advance' because the rooms are used for patients if needed, but you can at least ask how much they will charge if they are available.

Or, you could ask if you can be left in a recovery room overnight (I was, it was a very quiet night on the ward, unusually - this was last summer - it meant my DP could stay overnight, and come and go as he pleased as I was the only one in the room) or, transfer down to the MLU if there is room. Long shot, but if they are not busy and have the rooms, why not.

The CLU ward - C1 I thnk it's called - is usually very crowded and noisy, and people generally haven't had great experience there, so I think you are wise to at least investigate other options. My friend was on the ward for 3 days before she realised there were private rooms and she could have paid for one. The MWS were very disapproving about the fact they were available for paying patients. Which is all very well, but I don't think they should keep quiet about it.

CravingMarmite · 13/04/2011 20:00

I delivered on the CLU 3 years ago (and due to do so again in the next 2 weeks!). The postnatal ward (C1) is a 22 bed unit with a 9 bed ward, some 4 bed wards and some double and singles, so not all lumped in together. I was fortunate in that I got a single room last time due having had a generally rough time delivering - recovery ward on delivery suite for 2 days - (certainly not on request, and had no idea that this was possible, my opinion as a healthcare professional on ability to pay versus actual need is a whole new debate) . I can imagine the 9 bedded ward would be a nightmare, but generally if you are feeling OK and things go fairly straight forwardly you'll want to be home asap anyway!

The single room was OK, but husband still not allowed to stay overnight anyway. If you look on the Cardiff and vale website I'm sure it says partenrs can visit most times apart from "quiet hour" after lunch, it is other visitors that are restricted.

When are you due? Might see you there!

Original poster

wishwales · 14/04/2011 09:35

rasta i have already spent a night on the MLU last month for minor problem. i was in a 4 bed ward and even that was too many people for me. i have some anxiety issues. unfortunately, i can not switch to MLU for birth as I am medically required to go CLU :(

cowboylover wow, those are quite minimal visiting hours. it really is unfortunate and daunting. best wishes for your birth experience.

gloyw what you describe is what i am dreading!! i will speak to any/everyone i can find about the possibility of a private room. thanks for all the info and suggestions

cravingmarmite i saw some babybel cheese with marmite. i am due 5th of august so it looks like we won't be birth buddies. maybe you can report back afterwards and tell me what it was like.

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DuelingFanjo · 14/04/2011 10:19

I had a baby at the Heath in Dec.

C1 has separate rooms but they are mostly used by women being induced. I had one because my baby was in neo-natal and I was very upset. Straight after my birth in the consultant led unit I went into a ward of 4 people but was transfered to c1 the next day.

Before I gave birth I was given the impression from friends that you can pay to get a private room but I never bothered to find out how.

CravingMarmite · 19/04/2011 20:26

Update: friend gave birth on consultant unit on Sunday. The post natal ward (C1) has been completely revamped and opened last week. There is no longer a 9 bedded bit, there is a 4 bedded bit, some 2 beds and loads more single rooms with ensuites. She said it was really nice.

fruitybread · 19/04/2011 21:48

I am delighted to hear that, marmite! I never met anyone who had a good word to say about C1.

Original poster

wishwales · 20/04/2011 12:40

ooooo, thanks marmite! Makes me feel better. Don't forget to update on your own experience :)

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moogdroog · 20/04/2011 13:21

Oooh that sounds wonderful marmite! I'm at the Heath for a section the first week in May - the thought of a 9 bed bay wasn't too appealing.
After the decrepit old ward at the Gwent that I was in 2 years ago, a shiny new ward will be just the ticket.

frakyouveryverymuch · 20/04/2011 13:35

If you have anxiety issues can you discuss the possibility if you being prioritised for a single? That's what I've done with my hospital. I strongly suspect that I will have medication which is known to make me paranoid so if they want me to take that I'll probably need the single room after! Or I'll be a wreck until they let me go home but I'm not massively keen on that...

Original poster

wishwales · 20/04/2011 20:57

frak My CPN was over yesterday and said she would put it in my notes that a private room is needed and that she would speak directly to my midwife to get her onboard with this as well. Obviously, there are no guarantees but I do have ligitimate reasons. Fingers crossed. Thanks for the tip.

moogdroog please update after your section and best wishes for your experience!

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moogdroog · 27/04/2011 08:26

Thanks for your best wishes, wishwales - will be sure to update to let you know how it went.

I saw my MW yesterday, who said that if I wanted I could transfer to Caerphilly Birth Centre (Miner's Hospital) for rest afterwards. Basically, as long as Caerphilly have space and I've been in the Heath for 24hrs, baby has had check and I'm doing ok, they can discharge me to there.

Don't know if this is a possibility for Cardiff dwellers? Think I'm going to try - my plan was to have my first at CBC (ended up at the Gwent), but its rather lovely with private rooms, good BF support and DH can stay over if he wants.

Original poster

wishwales · 27/04/2011 15:27

CBC sounds nice moogdroog. Unfortunately, I have been on the maternity ward in the Heath since Thursday on strict bed rest because I am going to deliver prematurely. How prematurely is now the question....I will be 26 weeks on Friday and every day is a blessing. I did manage to get a private room here (after 2 days) and they have made an exception to allow my DH to spend the night whenever we want. I think this is only because the delivery could happen any time and they want him close by when it happens. Also, I am having panic attacks and anxiety and they feel his presence is helpful.

Hope it all turns out well for you!

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moogdroog · 27/04/2011 15:50

Sorry to hear that wishwales. I'm glad you've got your private room and your DH nearby - sounds like you deserve it. Hope you manage to hang on a bit longer and wish you and baby all the best. Thinking of you.

CravingMarmite · 11/05/2011 11:55

Sorry to hear that your on bed rest wishwales, but glad you got your own room. Hope things are remaining settled.
Just an update for all on experience in UHW - gave birth 4th May on CLU and had epidural - was fantastic no pain but could still feel pressure and contractions so able to push etc. Fantastic care from the midwife, who helped me to feel completely in control this time round (last time horrific forceps and 2.5L PPH). Post natal experience on ward much improved from last time - nice new single room, ensuite and helpful staff on the whole. Still felt very busy there, but can't expect much else from large ward dealing with ante and post natal patients

Original poster

wishwales · 11/05/2011 12:42

craving My experience here on 1st floor maternity has been good as well. Obviously, having been here 3 weeks now, you get a few mediocre people taking care of you but I am well-looked after. Glad you had a good experience and wish I would have known you were my neighbor! I am so bored.

Friday I will be 28 weeks which is another milestone but still here in hospital for the duration.

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Dropdeadfred · 11/05/2011 12:44

Is there a reason you couldnt go home straight after the birth? then rest at home with your dh?

Dropdeadfred · 11/05/2011 12:46

sorry - didnt read about the prem birth

moogdroog · 11/05/2011 19:26

Quick update from me too - DD arrived by section on 6th May. Section itself was (amazingly) a great experience. Had a few hours in recovery and then transferred to the 1st floor ward and into a 4 bed bay. Ward lovely and clean (huge difference from the Gwent) and had clearly benefitted from the refurb. Staff on the whole were great but could tell it was a busy ward, and decent sleep difficult with 3 other mums and babies in the same room.

Next morning I asked if I could be transferred to Caerphilly Birth Centre and after a bit of convincing, they agreed and Caerphilly were happy to have me.
What a difference! Lovely own room, with en suite and I was the only one there so had 3 midwives to take care of me. Really lovely personal care (took care of DH too with tea and toast!), great breastfeeding support and a lovely end to my experience. Thoroughly recommend doing the same to anyone that is able.

Glad to hear you're doing well wishwales - would have popped in to say hi if I'd known where you were.

Dropdeadfred · 12/05/2011 13:38

Congratulations!!

Original poster

wishwales · 13/05/2011 13:07

Sorry to have missed you moogdroog! And congrats.

OP posts:

cowboylover · 14/05/2011 20:18

Congratulations moogdroog!

How are you getting on wishwales?

I am due tomorrow and never thought I would be so keen to see the hospital as I am now!

Original poster

wishwales · 15/05/2011 11:48

Another update here from hospital bed rest: We are 28 + 2 today and baby is still in! This a good milestone for a baby that is going to be a preemie. 3 weeks and 4 days in here now and it is getting harder and harder. My husband moved us into a new home this week and I have never even seen the place! I would love a day pass out of here soon so I can see it and spend some time with my dog and cat. I miss them loads. Been having issues with low blood pressure (70/40), anemia and low B12. Also, my Crohn's disease is acting up and I now realize that alot of the ongoing pain I am having is because of that. We are stable otherwise and Morgan is growing fine, but at the same risks of going into labour at any time. Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

OP posts:

kriaa · 28/05/2011 00:38

Hi, I just registered to find some information about the CLU's and C1 at Heath. This has been invaluable. Is there any further information available on CLU ward? I am horrified at the thought of even sharing a bed with 3 other moms and DH not staying overnight. Does anyone know how many private rooms are available and how much should one pay for these. I am desperate to get some information.

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