Anyone give birth in bromley/chislehurst which hospital is best ?

[laksa]

HI guys,

Have an appointment with doctor on thursday and just wanted info regarding the local maternity hospitals near bromley and chislehurst. Do any have an active birth pool that you can use? Would just like some opinions as to which one to avoid (if any) and which are good! Am a bit nervous as I have heard some horror stories and now I am really confused...

hi

pru at Farnborough has a pool, cant fault the staff/ midwives there, even the hospital food was nice!!

Had both of mine at the PRU. First time was there for 24 hours and 2nd time left 2 hours after ds was born (aupposed to be home birth - but no midwives that night ).
Thought the care during labour was OK. Food appalling back in 2003. No offer of cup of tea or water after ds was born. Thought the aftercare wasn't brill. Had the misfortune of giving birth just at shift change both times which didn't help.
No experience of other hospitals.

thanks guys,

am actually considering a homebirth but everyone around me seems to think I'm mad as its my first one so thought I'd check out hospital option as well.

there is another link about the PRUH I will find it - saves me repeating myself

I will alert Thell to this - she is in Chislehurst and had her first (and only to date ) at home.

click here

also let me search for Queen Mary Sidcup there is a previous thread somewhere.

Go with what you think is best, I would have loved to have had the opportunity to have a home birth.

Don't click on my previous link - I blame post baby brain syndrome

Sorry

For tales of the PRUH, click on this link

3 more links

• another PRUH thread

pru again

qm sidcup

Hello!

I'm in Chislehurst, and had DD at home under the care of PRU midwives. They were pretty good really - I moved in when I was 36 wks pg, and had a mare trying to get hold of them and organise a home visit initially, but then they were good at getting as many midwives round as possible so that I could meet them before hand. One of the midwives in charge was a bit negative to talk to, warning me of all the circumstances under which I could not have my home birth, but I just nodded and tried to ignore her. No-one tried to talk me out of it, most were actively pleased, and keen to be involved
I had two lovely midwives attend me, one of whom was truly excellent and read me very well. We bought an inflatable pool for a water birth One of the MW even helped to empty it! We'll get a pump for next time,...

As for the hospitals, I've heard good and bad stories about PRU and St Mary's (Sidcup), so I couldn't comment really - just be pleased you won't be going to Queen Elizabeth's in Greenwich! None of my friends who gave birth there have a good story to tell.

HTH

Sorry - Queen Mary's!
Had some problems posting there for a minute.

Next time I'll get my home birth (fingers crossed).
Since you're in the area, must recommend Zoe Knott's ante-natal yoga class at St. Mark's Church (Westmoreland Road).
Was absolutely fantastic - really helped prepare me and despite ending up in hospital (jsut one of those things - no one available) second labour was a breeze. Also did hypnobirthing with Paola Bagnall in West Wickham High Street.

Pooka - at the natural medicine centre?

I went for reflexology there whilst pg with dd1 - had a good nights sleep each time.

The lady who specialises in pg women is called Jane

Yes - that's the one (with the consulting rooms off out the back along a corridor).
I didn't have reflexology, but also bought various flower remedies to help me sleep (which is what I really went to the hypnotist for). Was sceptical, but think it helped.
Oh - also bought an oil burner as well. Was practically throwing money at the birthing business this time round.

Just had an appointment with the doctor who gave me choice of Queen Marys or Pru. I went with Pru but the more I read the more I yearn for a homebirth...i'm just scared I might be a chicken with the pain and end up screaming for that epidural

Margo, thanks so much for the links will have a quick look now as the doctor said I can change my mind and let her know.

Thell, I've also heard some terrible stories about Queen Elizabeths, its good to hear from someone whos had a positive homebirth experience. This is going to sound silly but, since I married 1 1/2 yrs ago I have put on weight and have not been exercising at all, wanted to get fit before getting pregnant. My concern is that my fitness levels should be higher to cope with a homebirth, am I being silly?? Its just all the stories I've read about ppl homebirthing seem to be about women who run marathons and have very high pain thresholds etc

pooka, you're a mindreader! was just googling pregnancy yoga when I read your message on the classes. Thanks so much for the info

I had dd at Queen Elizabeth's (essential elective c-section) and had very good care there. Perhaps I was lucky (nearly 4 years ago), and I know they are feeling the pinch financially , but I had no complaints, despite some fairly nasty problems post delivery for me and dd. The consultants there are very good and more midwife-friendly than elsewhere locally IMO. And AFAIK it is the only hospital in the area with a designated Bereavement Midwife, not that I hope anyone would ever need to call on her services, but I did , and I felt her place on the team was indicative of the ethos of the Women's Services Team at QEH.
The one I heard to avoid is apparently Lewisham. Known as the Abattoir on the obstetrician grapevine apparently
Good luck laksa. Really hope you get your homebirth!

thanks marina, it really does seem to be a case of the people who treat you rather than the hospital itself. I guess its luck as to who's on duty when you get there. I had never heard of a bereavement midwife, am sorry you needed to have one

I was one of the unlucky very few laksa.
I think all over SE London all four of the hospitals have their bad moments tbh, and their good ones too

I had ds1 and ds2 at Farnborough, before it was knocked down. DS3 in Devon. Farnborough was very dirty (hopefully that's better now its been rebuilt) and postnatal care was dreadful (especially after comparing with my ds3 experience).

For info: [email protected]

It's a good class but worth getting in early because gets booked up. Every week a graduate returns with their baby to talk about the labour and it's good fun. Invaluable instruction on breathing through contractions.

If you feel like a homebirth then go for it. You can always go on to hospital if you think you're not coping with the pain and want pain relief over and above the gas and air. I had a prescription for pethidine stored in my fridge as well, as had used it with first labour (plus epidural). But in end just had a little gas and air once I got to the hospital (but ds was born about 40mins after we arrived).

Oh the PRUH is much nicer than the old Farnborough - in terms of rooms/facilities/cleanliness/decor at least.

This is why I love Mumsnet....I've probably got far better advice here than I would have done if I'd researched for days by myself. Thankyou ladies, it really is appreciated. It seemed a bit daunting going against everyones (in real life) advice on having a homebirth but I feel really strong about it now, am going to be a stubborn cow and go with what I want Thanks again.

had ds at pru...no probs whatsoever, although had my own midwife (part of orp/biggin hill group) who was FANTASTIC. the 'lagoon room' is great. very peaceful and relaxing but i did have a private room afterwards.