ROYAL BERKSHIRE hospital

[babybabybaby]

I would be very grateful to hear about experiences during pregnancy and birth at the RBH - good, bad, anything. Thank you!

babybabybaby - I had my DS in the RBH this year, and have for say, that for us, it was a positive experience. I know that people have a different experiences at the RBH, but just wanted you to know that there are good ones as well as bad.

We had to have a c-section for various reasons, but the staff were amazing - I can not speak highly enough of them, expecially the aenethetist (a woman). The ward was understaffed, and often it would be quite a wait after you had called for a midwife, but if you were patient, they were always helpful.

There is a breastfeeding clinic in the hospital where you can go everymorning (in your dressing gown with your baby in their cot) - the woman there are FANTASTIC - very patient and helpful. In fact, the ward staff kept asking me if I wanted to go home, and I kept saying "not until I get comfortable with breastfeeding" - I ended up staying 6 days!

Happy to talk to you further if you like ....

it may be that they don't tell you - I found out on the "induction" tour (being my first baby, I had no clue, so took all the tours and information booklets available) - it's a pity that you did not know, or that it wasn't available, because it sounds like you could have used some people being nice to you rather than what you actually got - poor you - I am glad that your second experience was much better

I had both of my children in the RBH, had no problems both times, for the last one we even got the room which is a bit like a hotel room, I gave birth on a double bed listening to the radio and came home when she was 3 hours old.....mind you thers no other medical stuff in there if there is an emergency. I know they are quite rushed sometimes, apparently about 17 babies are born there per day.

Hi babybabybaby,

I gave birth to my little girl in 2002 and to be honest I thought the care I had whilst I was pregnant was much better than during and after labour!
During my labour I found the midwife's really patranising calling me "dearie" etc and just felt that they didn't really have the time for me which obviously affected me as it was my first labour. After having an emergency cersarian and trouble with feeding they suggested I cup feed my daughter for a night before I fully made my mind up. I agreed as I was under the impression that I would have help and could do it with assistance, however when my little girl woke up in the night for a feed I called for a midwife and she explained that because they were short staffed they would have to take her away and come back after a quick feed. I was not happy about this but felt I couldn't refuse. After 1hr and a half I began to worry. I called for the midwife but no-one came so I hobbled all the way round the ward to find the desk (bearing in mind- I had just had major surgery!) to find three midwife's all sat at the desk reading magazines and drinking coffee with my little girl stuck in a room in the dark asleep. I was extremely angry!
However when I got moved to the next ward I was much happier.

I have heard good and bad expereinces from the hospital recently as I am sure you will get from every hospital. My advice is to go there and see if you get a nice feel. I do remember the "home from home" room being very nice. Hope this helps. If you need any extra info feel free to cat me.

Jules x