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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Does anyone have anything nice to say about Northwick Park hospital?

13 replies

RedKennedy · 18/04/2007 15:51

Im due to give birth at Brent Birthing centre but would be transfered to Northwick Park for an epidural or in emergency. I know it has a bad rep - well 10 maternal deaths between 03-05 says it all really.
But surely since the Healthcare commisions report etc theyve got their act together.
Does anyone have any experience of it?

Thanks ladies
pxx

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StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 18/04/2007 17:41

No personal experience, but I've read the report all the way through. Sounds like a lot of it was down to staff shortages, not enough time and lack of communication.

There's been a lot of changes, training and extra staff put their since. Which I would have thought would make a lot of difference.

wheelybug · 18/04/2007 18:06

One of my best friends had her son their 3 years ago (July 04) and was quite happy with it. She is having dc2 there too - I was talking to her about it this weekend and she said she actually feels quite happy about it as they have been on special measures and now come out of it, employed a lot more midwives and done up the wards.

Original poster

RedKennedy · 19/04/2007 15:20

thankyou both. much appreciated x

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Mintpurple · 24/04/2007 03:18

I did some agency labour ward shifts in Northwick Park a couple of years ago and I found it to be one of the best staffed labour wards I have seen, with highly skilled staff. Then, it was one midwife to one patient maximum, and although it has had its share of problems in the past, I think its probably now one of the safer units to have a baby in, even if its a bit medicalised, as it has to be due to its past problems.

I would not have any worries about the care at all if you were to be transferred here.

krang · 02/05/2007 14:52

Hi RK, am usually a lurker but felt the need to post on this, hopefully to reassure you a bit if it's not too late.

I was also down to give birth at Brent Birth Centre but went into labour three days too early, so was taken straight to NP. I was very scared as I'm a health journalist and know all about NP's history! However, my care was excellent. I was taken straight to a delivery room - no waiting around in the corridor - and a midwife was with me every second of the birth. I had three midwives as it was a very long birth and each one of them was excellent. There were some complications so I also had to have a gynaecologist. She was great too. One of the midwives was on secondment from a very senior position at the Royal Free, so I think they are very, very careful now - a shame it took such tragic events to bring about this state of affairs.

However, the aftercare was not great. The ward was a real state and the nurses didn't give a toss, though I am told this is the normal state of affairs at most hospitals! Luckily for you, I know that since then the new maternity ward has been finished so if you do have to go there you'll be recovering in luxury!

I never went to NP before the birth as I'd convinced myself I'd have my son at the birth centre. I'd really recommend that if you have time, you go and have a look round - it would have been nice to have been familiar with it.

Lots of luck!

Original poster

RedKennedy · 02/05/2007 18:06

thanks Krang. things have changed slightly in that i had my triage last week and was told at 38 weeks that im not suitable for brent birthing centre afterall, as i had a session of laser treatment on my cervix 12 years ago, and there was some concern that I might not dilate properly. Gutted that no one told me this sooner as I had envisaged my birth a bbc in one of those lovely big light relaxed rooms with birthing pool & double bed etc etc, so now its NPH for sure. I have been told by all the m/ws that i have nothing to worry about there, and that of course things have changed since that awful time. Im now trying my best to be positive about it, its not going to be the birth I wanted but hey, thats life. And apparently they have 13 single rooms and 2 wards of 4 beds now for after. Im hoping its home after the 6 hours for me! thanks again x

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krang · 03/05/2007 09:36

Wow, single rooms! Sounds fabulous!

I was very disappointed about not being able to give birth at BBC as well, and it really affected the way I felt about the birth and about my son for a while. A year on that's all behind us but it sounds like you have the right attitude about it. Going to NP was such a shock for me - at least you now know for sure where you're going, which I think helps. Do go and have a look around and talk to the people there (and if you do, let us know what the new wards are like!)

You might even encounter a celeb or two...Louis Theroux's partner was giving birth at the same time as me there, and I kept bumping into him - first in the lift as they were taking me up to the ward, then in the waiting room! He looked how I felt so I didn't tell him how much I liked his programmes. Thought he might not appreciate it...

Original poster

RedKennedy · 03/05/2007 15:39

weirdly enough Krang, hes my nexr door neighbour! how funny!

I had a little tour there a few weeks ago after a scan, looked at the suites but didnt see the wards.. Im told they are new and lovely though. Fingers crossed.

Where do you live? NW10?

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krang · 09/05/2007 14:30

Bloody hell, you can't get away from the man in NW London! I'm in Cricklewood - NW2. Presume you're around Harlesden/Willesden/Kensal area?

Do let me know how the birth goes as I'm thinking about having another one and am wondering what NP's like now. How many more weeks have you got to go? Is it your first?

DaisyMOO · 09/05/2007 14:45

Northwick Park has been given shedloads of extra money and midwives since the report into those maternal deaths - it's probably better than many other places now I would expect

beansontoast · 10/05/2007 14:32

thats so mad about louis theroux!

im glad that you chose to post krang...all good to know.

RK..i had my ds there in 2003...no probs...aftercare from nurses/midwives was a bit 'scant'...paeds and haemotologists however were great.

it has all been given a massive overhaul...cosmetically and otherwise.
i read the paper that reported on the deaths whcih identified the shortcomings...aswell as some strengths of the service.

there are now better systems in place to deal with the supervision of junior and agency staff,including more hours of consultant cover plus higher ratios of senior and junior staff at other times.

i for one,feel very much reassured...and am also looking forward to the swanky new wards!

best of british with the old dilating!
beans x

Original poster

RedKennedy · 10/05/2007 16:28

thanks again ladies,
ive kind of got my head round it now, have to be positive about it as ive no other realistic option now as im 38+6 and yep, its my first... yes Im in Harlesden, not far from you Krang, infact how sad is this, ive just started maternity leave and am SO BORED i got on a random bus and ended up in Crickelwood. Jesus. Got off, went to a bakers, got a sticky bun and a bottle of water and got back on the bus again.
Wow. It cant get much better than that.

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lulumama · 10/05/2007 18:39

love louis theroux!!

anyhoo....hope it goes really well, i am sure that you will be just fine., keep the confidence in your body, it will know what to do ! look forward to the birth announcement xx

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