Queen Elizabeth Maternity Woolwich

[Katrina79]

Has anyone recently given birth at QE and had a water birth? Would you recommend? Haven't been overly impressed with their antenatal service so far and have heard mixed reports about giving birth there. Thanks.

I know a few people who gave birth there during 2011. Not one person got the birth pool. They were full of excuses - someone else was in it (despite the fact that they have inflatable ones), too far along, not far enough along. One woman I know was in a bizarre 'dilation race' and whoever got to 5cm first out of two labouring women was going to get the pool!

Have you thought about the MLU at Lewisham. Not been there, but heard amazing things about it.

Sorry to hijack, but I work at the Trust and wonder if you'd like to come in and meet with a senior midwife to discuss a water birth? If that would be helpful, please pm me.
Hope that helps.

Would home birth be an option? I had 2 home water births with QE midwives and both were great. Never given birth at QE hospital to compare though.

Oooh, yes. I had a home water birth linked to QE, twas fab! Do consider!

Had my ds there in 2008 and thought they were great. Yes the after-care on the maternity ward could have been better but as a new mum I really wanted my own private midwife by my bed constantly I'd agree that the ante-natal care seemed a bit hit and miss but I don't think that's any different to other boroughs in London due to the large population midwives are caring for. However when it came to crunch time and I got to the delivery suite I was really well cared for and supported which is the most important bit. If I was fortunate enough to become pregnant again I'd go back.

Thanks everyone for your feedback, very helpful. I ve done the tour and they were all very nice and friendly. Considered a home birth and heard they were very good with this. Am concerned if there is a complication, you d need to get to hospital very quick, maybe not quick enough. Am a bit wary of how easy it would be to have a water birth at QE as they are a very busy hospital. Thanks again! Katrina

Katrina - I have had a homebirth with the team you are considering. I'd be happy to share more over PM if it would be helpful to you.

I mentioned it before, but are you able to consider the MLU at Lewisham if home birth is not for you? A friend had a lovely water birth recently there.

My baby decided to arrive a bit fast - as in before the midwife- and I ended up with an ambulance whilst she headed out (I didn't need to go in, everything was fine). They were there in a blink of an eye. From most areas you might be considering QE, I think they could get you in pretty quick. Even in a labour ward, you are waiting for them to prep the theatre, etc. With a homebirth they are doing that whilst you travel.

Just a quick one, I had a terrible experience at QEH a couple of years ago - booked in for induction, turned up they weren't expecting me, strapped to a monitor in ante-natal ward all night (not in labour...), consultant came to see me at 2am and did a cervical sweep (very uncomfortable) without my consent all to be told when morning arrived that the labour ward was full and I would need to go to a different hospital. We ended up having to drive to Bromley (PRUH).

Also a friend of mine gave birth there a few weeks before me (emergency transfer from home birth) and their ventouse machine broke mid use . Not ideal!

It was a shambles to be honest and quite aside from the water birth aspect if you could possibly get yourself booked in elsewhere I would. The new birth centre in Lewisham sounds brilliant, wish I was still local to that now I am expecting DC2

Thanks for that sounded dreadful for you. Congratulations on number 2!

thanks, everyone keeps saying Lewisham so i think i might go on a tour of the new unit. I think i ll avoid the home birth for the first baby! :)

Thanks very much, i m still a bit undecided but will pm you should we go ahead with QE.

I had DS there in 2009 and it was truly horrific. If you want the details please see the thread QEH. However, I had dd there in 2011 and it was a completely different experience and in fact laid to rest so many ghosts that I am very happily becoming a member of their maternity liason committee. Second time around I had the fixed pool with the most wonderful, attentive, supportive midwives - I felt truly safe and very much that I was the only person in delivery suite that night. I would recommend without hesitation.