My third child is due at the start of October. We aren't based in the UK and the system here permits you to choose your hospital. I am really stuck making this choice, and I have two weeks to decide (my doc will expect to know at my next appointment so he can refer me to the particular department)
I really need some advice. My first birthing experience was good. Not easy, but the hospital did everything they could to help and in the end all was well. Unfortunately this hospital has closed.
For my second birthing experience, I went to an award winning maternity department. It was terrible. Most of the terrible parts were out of the midwives/doctors control but some weren't.
They had lost my notes when I arrived. In the notes it explained that DS2 had a very large head. Poor DS2 was the wrong way round, and unfortunately his large head got stuck. It was very painful for us both, and I think it took him a long time to recover. The Doctor who got him out did a wonderful job considering she had no information and I was screaming and making no sense unable to explain anything.
Afterwards I was left on the table while the doctor and midwives had a shouting arguement about what had happened in the corridor. I could hear every word. Poor DS2 had pood all over me when he came out, and although he had been cleaned up, I hadn't been. In my knackerd line of thought, I didn't want to hold him again till I'd wiped the poo off me - I didn't want him covered in it. But because everyone was arguing, nobody would actually help me. I couldn't get up myself because I'd lost a lot of blood. I won't even go into the state of my tearing.
We went up to the ward and had a very awake, crying night. Probably because my poor baby was traumatized.
730 am and workmen started drilling on the ward. Until 7 in the evening. The work was scheduled for the full week. They wanted me to stay 5 days, but I signed us out due to the drilling. I thought DS2 would have more chance of sleeping at home.
Anyway, I'm sorry, I'm ranting, sorry this is so long and thanks for reading all of this. DC3 is due soon and I have to choose a hospital. This one is closest by far. It really has won awards. I'm scared I won't make it to the further away hospital, but I'm scared to go through the same thing again. What would you do? All advice welcome.