Help needed - Farnborough/Princess Royal, East Surrey or Mayday hospital?

[Muumimamma2]

Sorry if this has been discussed already, I have been Googling like mad all evening and haven't really found much.

I have birth to my daughter at Mayday two years ago and in some ways it was quite a negative experience. My GP also told me that they failed a review last year, but on the positive side she said they're trying really hard now. Despite this, on the NHS choices website even the recent comments regarding the maternity ward are quite unencouraging - "I was treated like cattle" is a good example.

The other two choices I was given are Farnborough and East Surrey, neither of these seems considerably better either, although I was getting exited about Farnborough until I spoke to someone who gave birth there a couple of years ago (from my NCT group) and she did not have a good experience. She said all the rooms were full of women at different stages of labour and in general her experience was such that she wouldn't want to go back.

Is there anyone here with recent experiences of these hospital's maternity wards? I may be that I'll have a c section so any experiences on that, and also any experiences on the quality of aftercare would be really useful.

Thank you so much for reading... xxx

This is a tricky question, as asking for personal experiences of these hospitals will probably mean more bad than good stories unfortunately... I live opposite Farnborough hospital, and although I had a negative birth experience myself, I don't believe that a different hospital would have imrpoved the outcome. The PRUH (Farnborough) has a new midwifery led suite which quite a few friends have raved about... have you looked into this option?
In essence, I believe that the vast majority of labouring women who choose to give birth in hospital are treated like cattle to some extent, they are quick to tell you that they see 5000+ women a year..... Your birth is 'managed', you are subject to hospital protocols which are not necessarily in your best interest, and each stage of your labour is timed, incase it is not progressing at an 'acceptable' rate. I honestly believe that your best chance of a more positive birth experience is to educate yourself and know your rights. Be supported by someone who will be your advocate, partner, friend, mum, doula, someone who knows what is important to you.

Why do you say you will probably have a c section?

I guess if you are having an elective C section, post op complications/infection rates would be important? not sure how to get this info though, sorry.

Hi Laura, thanks so much for your reply, it's really good advice. Still not sure what to do though, I'm just scared :(

The reason I might have a c section is that I had a 3c tear last time and I'm supposed to be offered the choice now. Haven't decided whether to take it but considering how scared I am it might be advisable.