Any Wythenshawe Hospital reviews?

[Lizzietow]

I'm due to give birth there shortly (36 weeks). It's my second but I was at a different hospital last time. Anyone given birth here recently?

2 years ago. Have just (this afternoon) met with supervisor of midwives there to get a home birth organised even though it will be a home vBAC because I was less than impressed with my last experience there - just do a search for my previous posts on the subject.

Notwithstanding my disgruntlement, I have many friends who have given birth there who have had better experiences than me.

Im being induced there next Wed! Ive heard lots of mixed reviews about it but I suppose you will get that about all hospitals. What a few women have said is that you are pretty much left to it until you need/ask for assistance which is fine by me. I had my last 2 at Wigan and had both good and bad experiences so shall be going in with an open mind and no expectations!

Sorry I couldn't be any use but there will be someone along soon who has been there. If I can get on the laptop later Ill find the thread that I started months ago asking the same question.

Friend had her baby there in July, great experience.

I had DS there earlier this year in the midwife led unit. Room was great, labour care just what I needed and they basically let me do my own thing - had a straightforward birth. Have friends who had complications and labour care also excellent in those circumstances.

Post natal care, however, was absolutely rubbish. As it is your 2nd DC then at least you'll know what you're doing (in theory!) but I was discharged at 3am with no more support than some photocopied paper. Feeding support non existent. I would have another baby there though, I'd just be more demanding of my care!

I didn't realise I'd get so many responses so quickly? Has anyone had an epidural there? I had one last time at Stepping Hill but they made me wait 3 hours with a back to back labour. I'm hoping Wythenshawe is better, but I suppose it friend's on how many emergencies they have on the day.

My experience in Oct 2010 (I understand Sept & Oct are the busiest months traditionally) was that they are very busy. I got sent home before my ELCS (for DD being breech) because they were too full and had cocked up their admin and given my space on the list to someone else They were juggling emergencies and so too busy to deal with anything that wasn't an emergency, including me (who had been booked in for a few weeks) - I only actually ended up getting rushed in for an emergency C-Section seen and treated once my waters had broken, I was having contractions and they finally realised I was fully dilated with DD's leg and hand presenting.

The reason I'm going for a HBAC this time is to try and ensure I actually get midwife support before an emergency arises.

That said, they were great in an emergency situation. It's just a shame that they constantly seem to be firefighting and so only get round to you when an emergency is looming.

If you end up having to stay in, try and get your own room. Post natal care is variable at best and the four person wards are not great at night. The night midwife was so horrible I ended up not bothering calling her if I needed anything and it was the woman in the next bed who made a midwife come to me as I was so upset. Breastfeeding support varied massively from one midwife to the next. One was lovely and gave me loads of help, one gave a bit of help but didn't help with expressing at all and the other (horrible) one just plonked DD on my without a word and walked off whenever I buzzed her.

I sound like I'm really down on Wythenshawe - I'm sure there are many lovely, excellent midwives there - I just think all maternity services are stretched and my experience at Wythenshawe is a prime example of this. I am not convinced it would be significantly better elsewhere.

Good luck OP

I had both boys here and overall am fine with my experience. That said . . .

DS1 ended up as an Emergency CS and I was allowed to go a LONG time before this decision was made. His head was too big for me so he was never going to come out w/out problems for us both. HOWEVER, I had an epidural and the guy was fantastic (and fit too ) and was well looked after during and after the op.

DS2 was fairly rapid and a VBAC and they were great with that. We were sent home quite soon after he was born though and although happy not to be taken up to the mat ward, could have done with a little extra time to gather my thoughts. It was Christmas, I guess they wanted us out!

Most of the MW are fantastic and supportive. Some are a little debatable, but it sounds like this is the case pretty much everywhere.

Agree with trying to get your own room though. I had some *** next to me who SNORED ALL NIGHT LONG and DID NOT TEND TO HER SCREAMING BABY and made me rather grumpy. I was then moved to my own room as it turned out we had to stay for a week as DS was poorly (recovered well).

Good luck with the home births and OP good luck too!

When are you due in OP?

I had my baby there last year, the new birthing centre is lovely altough i got moved for an epidural. My midwife was truly awful, she was bossy and rude and totally lacked any empathy, her name began with e. The ward was unbearable at night due to 3 screaming babies but the worst bit was being left in a pool of blood after an epidural, so unable to walk and unable to reach the call button, 1 of the midwifes came in when i called her and said she would be back in a minute and didnt bother and the others tried their best to ignore me. It was very undignified. I was pleases with the consultant care that i recieved though, couldnt fault them, and the 1st midwife i had, her name was kate, was really lovely. A mixed experience really.

I had my baby there last year, the new birthing centre is lovely altough i got moved for an epidural. My midwife was truly awful, she was bossy and rude and totally lacked any empathy, her name began with e. The ward was unbearable at night due to 3 screaming babies but the worst bit was being left in a pool of blood after an epidural, so unable to walk and unable to reach the call button, 1 of the midwifes came in when i called her and said she would be back in a minute and didnt bother and the others tried their best to ignore me. It was very undignified. I was pleases with the consultant care that i recieved though, couldnt fault them, and the 1st midwife i had, her name was kate, was really lovely. A mixed experience really.

Oh dear- looks like everyone has had some kind of negative experience. Eek!

Ill let you know my experience next week!

I've had both mine there- natural delivery with bad tear in 2008, elective cs this year. I was really happy with my care on delivery unit both times. Not so impressed with postnatal care, there was not much support and it took ages to get painkillers when I asked.

Having said that though if i had another I'd definitely be happy to go there again, just be prepared to sort myself out as much as poss on postnatal eg take a pack of paracetamol with me rather than waiting ages (obviously make sure you don't get meds from them too and have more than you're allowed)

As you're a 2nd timer who knows what you're doing you should be fine. Food was much better this time round than with my 1st.

Thanks Cute- that's really helpful. To be honest as a second timer you're right, I'm not so bothered about the postnatal aspect. Just want to be treated well during the birth.

Ta da!! www.mumsnet.com/Talk/childbirth/1461255-How-did-you-find-Wythenshaw-Hospital I started this under my old name

HTH

That's a really helpful thread, thank-you! Note to self to take my own food and not expect much help with feeding. I can deal with that.

Yeah, ive got cereal bars and cheese savoury biscuit things. Mum said there is a Tesco near by!!

Well, it looks like ill be in there later on this morning so shall report back my findings later.

Good luck!! Are you being induced today?

Nope. I went into labour this morning, got there, taken straight to delivery and into a really nice clean room where the pool was bein run for me! Staff excellent and ds3 born 1.5 hours later, both checked over and released a few hours later.

Couldn't fault it one bit. I didnt go to the ward though as I was fast

HTH

Sounds a great experience, notgrownup. I like to hear a happy story - hope my forthcoming experience at St Mary's is as positive.

Thanks the girl who lives across from me is booked in on Wed so Ill find out how it goes. Did you watch that doc filmed there?

Oh wow notgrownup- that's so fab! I'm so pleased you had a great experience! Well done! Hope you and baby are well xx

Ps what was the doc?

Pps it's just so nice to hear a positive story