Hampshire people - Princess Anne or QA?

[DogsDontDoBallet]

I had my first baby at Princess Anne in Southampton and it was an "ok" experience. Not great but not completely awful either. I've now moved house and have the choice of going to Princess Anne or QA for baby number two.

Im really not sure which one to choose and didn't think I would have to choose this early (before my booking in appointment). The idea that QA is newer definately appeals and I have heard the facilities are good. Princess Anne is definately lacking in this department.

Im thinking about an ELCS this time (due to previous complications) and I was told by a Doctor last time that they would be happy to recommend this. On this basis im not sure whether it would just be easier to go with Princess Anne.

Does anyone have any advice/wise words of wisdom?

Hi

I'm not going to be a huge help - I'm going into QA in a couple of weeks for an induction but it's my first baby, so can't really share anything experience wise. The only thing I can say, is the run up to the birth at QA has been good and I was in a couple of weeks ago with false labour and was treated really well.

They have a virtual tour of all the wards which might help - www.porthosp.nhs.uk/Maternity-Dept/virtual-tours.htm

Hope I've done the link right

I have experienced labour at both Portsmouth and Southampton (Southampton just 11 weeks ago) I found the care at Princess Anne to be efficient and couldn't have asked for a smoother delivery. I experienced quite the opposite at Portsmouth, in fairness this was several years ago however the midwife who delivered my baby still works there, and as I wouldn't piss on her if she was on fire this was almost entirely behind my decision to go to Southampton. The only pain in the butt was that their notes are entirely different to the ones used by QA, a fact which my midwife commented on at every single antenatal appointment during my pregnancy!

Not a huge amount of help but I have a choice of QA, Southampton and Winchester. I've not used any of them myself but every one I have spoken to has said don't choose QA... That sample includes a couple of women who had babies there themselves in the last 2 years and 4 who've got close friends/family who went there in the last few years. Consensus seems to be QA is understaffed, has some REALLY rude/rubbish m/w and is dirty :-(

Not very helpful here either as I only have experience of Princess Anne with DS and the only person I know with experience of QA was only in for 8 hours after very quick and easy delivery. Like yours, my experience at Princess Anne was not great (however, I would say a lot of that was due to a difficult labour and birth, which would have happened wherever I was, and the fact that postnatal care was a bit lacking). However, I am due to have DC2 at Princess Anne in December (I really wanted a homebirth or to go to New Forest Birth Centre but not recommended due to Group B Strep issues) so it can't have been so bad! In your shoes I'd probably be inclined to stick with Princess Anne. Good luck with your pregnancy and birth :)

Go to Winchester I have had 3 babies there, all induced for medical reasons of one sort or another, and the care I got was fantastic. DD2 was in need of phototherapy for a few weeks on and off (born 1 month early) and they were able to let me have her in a private room with a billiblanket for the first week, instead of in SCBU.

Thanks for all the replies- waves hello to all the local people.

I'm going to go for Southampton. Ive decided the most important aspect this time is being able to discuss my options and hopefully have a ELCS if that's what I decide. I think that if I have to argue my case I may have more luck at Princess Anne as they sorted me out last time and have already discussed the possibility of a CS. I'm just going to prepare myself in advance that the aftercare is probably going to be crap.