East Surrey or Princess Royal

[MF123]

I need to decide whether I want to give birth in East Surrey or Princess Royal hospital - does anyone have any feedback on either?

I have birth in East Surrey in September 2018 and the care was brilliant. I could not fault them. They had a review shortly after and their maternity services were rated as outstanding.

My sister had her baby there last year and again had a brilliant experience in labour and birth although they were slow to discharge her.

I am due my second baby in July and am happy to be returning there

Thank you that's really helpful! I'm only 5 weeks but I have to decide now, so its all very confusing! I really appreciate your feedback

I had my son in East Surrey on December 13th (this year)
Delivery ward was good (although I missed my water birth by them realising the bed was broken in the room they’d filled for me meaning I had to be moved.)
I labour very fast (3hrs from first niggle and active labour listed as 49min) and I felt well listened to as things escalated so quickly.
I was disappointed that they provided no online alternatives to antenatal or breastfeeding classes when most other hospitals seem to have but this might not matter to you if it is not your first birth.
Burstow Ward however was much harder (we were kept in because I haemorrhaged and had feeding troubles). The support was minimal and felt rushed until I burst into tears at a supportive staff member who then spoke to the team about “my struggles” they then came across more caring and less rushed which helped me feel less of an inconvenience.
It’s hard to know what it’s like in non Covid times and I know nothing about Princess Royal (we didn’t get a choice on where to have him) but hopefully this helps a little.

I am at East Surrey and chose it over my local hospital because of the feedback I’d had from other mums, and I also know lots of staff (including doctors and consultants) who work there. I can’t comment on Princess Royal but my feedback so far on East Surrey (34 week FTM):

Maternity units rated outstanding (as is the entire hospital)

Everything seems very organised and I have not once been let down by poor admin (which can be scary in pregnancy)

I am able to book all appointments and have always got what I wanted (even in a pandemic)

They are limiting partners at appointments and post natal ward but they review this weekly and they will happily share the reasons behind their decision if you ask

They have always done what I’ve asked despite a lot of my concerns being down to “anxiety” - one example: I’ve recently measured quite big, but they normally only refer for scans for big babies with two consecutive big measurements. All I had to do was ask for a growth scan as I was worried and I got given one within 24 hours (and yes within a pandemic with a staff shortage)

Reduced movements: I have an anterior placenta and hardly ever feel the baby move. I’ve been in quite a few times and they are so lovely each time. I’m sure all hospitals would do this, but receiving this care throughout the pregnancy has made me feel so much better about the “big day”

I feel very Covid safe there. (I’m sure all hospitals are set up well, but the maternity entrance is separate ld from most other units - I know Covid can travel, but I do feel safe!)

Princess royal might do this, but east Surrey provide regular (maybe twice a week) instagram live stories where they help with breast feeding, birth, Covid questions etc, basically everything you want. Previous poster is correct in saying they don’t offer antenatal classes, but I have found the instagram sessions very useful. If you also look at their instagram they give stats on all the births for the month (eg how many emergency c-sections there were, how many midwives always available etc)

Sorry posted too soon. Hope the above helps. I haven’t actually given birth yet, so let’s see what I think then but this is my great experience to all date