Which hospital for a Kent Birth - Pembury, Maidstone or Farnborough Hospital?

[Bridy]

I live in Sevenoaks and am due to give birth on 10 January 2005. I am 37 years old and it will be our first baby (very much wanted!!). I would really appreciate any comments/advice about which hospital to give birth at. Some of my options are Pembury, Maidstone or Farnborough (Pembury being the nearest one). If anyone has any fairly recent experience of the birthing units at any of these hospitals, It would be great to hear your comments.

I've not heard anything good about Maidstone recently. Pembury doesn't look very nice but several friends had good experiences there, as backed up by this thread.

I had my first 2 at Crowborough Birthing Centre which is sensational. I had my first in the very big birth pool and then stayed in the room with 2 beds and my 2nd in the corner bath delivery suite where I stayed until I checked out later the same day.

I had the same midwives throughout both births, 1st was 7 hours but 2nd only an hour.

Lots of midwives around to help with bathing, feeding problems, nappy contents examination etc! Catering is pretty good and the parking is free and right next to the hospital.

One friend stayed there for 7 days and when she left was the undisputed b/f Queen of Sussex.

I should add that my Crowborough midwife did all the appointments for my 3rd DC at home ('eldest' DCs were only 1 & 2yo so it was easier for me) and then I had a lovely homebirth.

I have the same midwife again for DC4, due in May, who is also planned for homebirth. Midwife was delighted to hear our news and is doing all my appointments at home again.

Hi,
I thought i would have a say! Im having my second baby at crowborough and from what i have seen it is lovely! Im a midwife and a doula and i have visited and worked in a lot of hospitals but am choosing to travel for over an hour to have all my antenatal care and my birth at crowborough. I can't stress enough the importance of choosing the right palce and the right birth support. Most people that hire doulas and choose to have their babies at birth centres are second time mums because they have realised the importance of a positive birth experience. Crowborough also has two pools which is fabulous as i am desperate to have number two in the water! If anyone wants doula then website www.surreyandsussexdoulas.co.uk where you can get more info on them. I have already booked mine and i am not due till july!!

Two years on from this last message, I'm in need of answers to the same questions. What is Pembury like now? Has anyone had any recent experience of the maternity ward at Pembury? I know a new hospital is being built but it won't be in time for my first baby, due at the beginning of next year.

Not had any personal experience of Pembury, but my sister had her baby there in September and said the midwives were excellent. It is a little out dated (hence the new ward currently being built) but she had a good experience. I live in eastbourne and did contemplate asking to have my baby in Pembery, but seeing as I am down the road from Eastbourne hospital going to have my baby there in January. Although will be in Sevenoaks all over Xmas so will def head to Pembury if needs be. My sister incidently is set to her her second DC in March at Pembury again.

Hope someone with some personal experience is able to help further (tho I have found when asking about EBN that you get both positive and negative feedback)

Hi brownkat, i am also in sevenoaks and due to have my baby at Pembury in 5 weeks, provided he's on time that is! I chose it partly on reputation, and once i had my midwive said that she was pleased i'd made that decision as she thought it the best option.

I have been to have a look round, and found it fine, clean and tidy. I will let you know once kiddo has turned up what my experience was like if any help to you?