Broomfields Chelmsford vs Princess alexandra hospital Harlow

[kittycatlover]

I also posted this on the pregnancy forum but not sure if that was the right area so apologies if you read this twice.

We've recently moved from London to Essex and I was booked at Princess Alexandra Hospital in harlow at the time of our move before knowing anything about the hospital choices for the area. I'm now 29 weeks pregnant. Did a tour at PAH this week and really wasn't impressed. So I'm considering transferring to Broomfields in Chelmsford. We are pretty much equal distance from both so that's not an issue.

Just wondered if anyone had any good/bad experiences of either hospital? I really hoped to use a pool for this birth (2nd DC) but understand Broomfields only has one. I'm also currently considered high risk due to DS being premature so unless I go past 37 weeks this time I will have to go to labour ward for delivery anyway. It wasn't clear to me at PAH if all of their labour rooms have en-suite toilets - this was brushed off by the lady doing the tour ("oh don't worry about the toilets, that'll be the last thing on your mind when you're in labour"!!) but I really don't fancy trotting up the corridors and round the corner to use the loo in the middle of labour! I recall last time that I DID need to use the loo several times. I think Broomfields delivery rooms all have en-suites?

Also, does anyone know what equipment is available in the midwife led birthing suites at Broomfield (they don't do tours) - birthing balls, stools, anything to swing from (sorry don't know what they are called!) etc etc?

I work at Broomfield so will try and be as objective as I can be and only answer your questions! As you are probably aware, Broomfield maternity was part of a new build less than two years ago so it is modern and purpose built. The delivery suite and mlbu are adjacent on the fourth floor. All birthing rooms are a very good size and have ensuites. There is only one pool room and another room with a birthing chair. All mlu rooms have couches - no beds - and birthing balls are usually readily available.

We are quite a busy unit but we have a good reputation hence why we have a lot of out of area bookings. The M&S and Costa Coffee are very nice too!!

Please let me know if you need any more info.

Thanks laluna - is the pool very popular in the mlbu do you know? Just wondering how many people who want to use it actually get to use it if there is only one?

I remember at the last hospital I gave birth at the mlbu was often very quiet as a lot of people headed straight for the labour ward so they could have an epidural!

I gave birth to my first child at PAH two years ago. PAH has an excellent MLBU which has been recommended by friends who have given birth there. I didn't use it as I thought I might want an epidural. I can't remember much about the rooms themselves, although I know I used a toilet in the room I was in. However, after taking plenty of gas and air I didn't really didn't take much notice of my surroundings! There is also a birthing pool in one of the rooms on the labour ward. This was offered to me even though the labour ward was busy at the time. The care during labour was good - midwives paid attention to my birth plan. They arranged for my epidural, although due to the anaesthetist being in theatre I didn't get it until I was fully dilated! However, G&A was freely available and was fine. I ended up needing an EMCS but the staff consulted me throughout and although the situation was unexpected I didn't feel traumatised and was pleased with the professionalism of the staff.

I wasn't so pleased with the aftercare. The post natal ward was very busy and I felt the midwives had no time to help or answer any questions. However, I was given a good supply of pain relief and all the necessary health checks were carried out. I have heard that the post natal ward on the birthing unit is much quieter.

I am currently 29 weeks pregnant with my second and will be using PAH again, aiming for a VBAC. The staff there have been helpful in discussing this. They are flexible about continuous monitoring and have even said I may be able to labour in the pool. I'm not allowed to use the birthing unit though, so I'm not sure if they woud allow you to use it if you're high risk. Would this apply to Broomfield too?
Hope all goes well for you and you end up with a good experience.

Can't speak from direct experience (my ds was one of the last babies born before maternity transferred to Broomfield) but a few mothers I know who had they're babies just after me said its amazing there ie all mod cons and if it's the same staff who came from st johns they were fab too xxx

I have friends who have used both, and Broomfields gets more positive praise than PAH. I used the Rosie in cambridge despite being closer to PAH.

" and if it's the same staff who came from st johns they were fab too"

Indeed they are!

The pool is popular and it isn't that common that those who want to don't get to use it. We make every effort to vacate the pool room if needed.

Now laluna did you give birth to my son?? hehe

No in all seriousness I was in there for days (little bugger would not come out despite lots of pessaries) and was made to feel very comfortable and looked after, a very happy birth story :) xxx

some of my family have used broomfields recently and rated it - so I gess another vote there

Thanks ladies. All good to hear. I think I might call the midwife tomorrow to discuss the possibility of transferring to Broomfield.

Check out the virtual tour video of the maternity unit on the Broomfield website to give you an idea.

Not sure where in Essex you live but good midwife led units here too if you fancy that. Or at broomfiels you can transfer over to st peters at maldon for rest, it's lovely.

I had DD at PAH in early March and thought it was fantastic. Just because it's not all shiny and new doesn't mean the care is not as good! No matter where you go post natal care might not be great, it really depends on how busy they are. At PAH I found the post natal ward fine, no more than 4 beds in each bay and v short visiting hours so you don't have the world and his mother traipsing through all day while you're trying to get BF established. PAH is not my closest hospital and I had to book in v early to make sure of getting in as my alternatives were not great, Queens in Romford or Whipps Cross! Congrats on your pregnancy and I wish you a safe delivery wherever you choose in the end

Gave birth in MW led birthing unit at Broomfield 8 weeks ago. Very nice en suite rooms although didn't actually use ensuite as fairly quick birth. No bed as such, just a large couch type thing quite low on the floor but this was good for upright delivery. Even though labour ward was busy I was not aware of other women screaming like I was when I gave birth at St Johns.

Staff on delivery side of things were absolutely fantastic and can't praise them enough. However, found some staff on post natal ward to be nowhere near the same high standard in that one MW in particular was quite rude and very obstructive to us being discharged - although I believe getting discharged quickly is a common problem in most hospitals. And I guess when it comes to it you want the good staff on the delivery side of things rather than post natal ward.

I had DD at PAH 23 months ago (in the midwife-led unit) and loved it - I really can't fault any of the care I received there. I know that it has been updated since, with at least one new pool.

Best of luck with wherever you choose!