Any experiences of giving birth at Queen Elizabeth, Woolwich? I'm a bit panicked.

[Sal22]

Hi - my first post on Mumsnet, but have read loads of topics and always find them extremely helpful. I'm booked at QEII, Woolwich, expected date of birth 13 April. Problem is, the closer it gets, the more I think of all kinds of reasons why I really should start panicking... now! Probably just the fact that it is our first, and we don't have any family here (in South Africa), and I'm normally a bit of a control freak, and now I'll stop working, so no money of my own (not that husband is funny or anything, just the thought, haha!), I'll be all on my own with my first baby, and don't know anyone else with small kids around here... (West Greenwich). Hmm - maybe I just need a warm bath. Thanks for letting me vent, and to get back to my question - anyone with experience (good or bad) with QEII? Thanks so much.

I know lots of people that had good experiences at QE2 Hospital and my SIL is booked in there for July! You will always hear good and bad reports of any hospital. I had mine at Queen Mary's - horrendous first time, wonderful second time - so go into hospital with an open mind and try not to worry about it.

Good luck!

Thanks, Kbear! Good luck to your SIL too.

Have you checked out any antenatal groups in your area for support and friendship from people due around the same time as you? Ask your midwife/doc.

I'm booked for a Saturday course with Tanya (Bump2Bubba)at the beginning of Feb, so hoping to meet some people there. Unfortunately work's been a bit hectic lately and I haven't been able to go to my local midwives appointments, so I've been going for private checkups at a GP practice near my workplace (in the city) just so I know all is ok with the baby. The silly thing is that I'd actually prefer to come to the midwives in Greenwich (have been for the first 2 appointments), but they only accept appointments between 1 and 3pm, and I can't take half day off at the moment for a checkup... Hoping work will settle down a bit in two months so that I can at least do the last couple of midwife appointments with the midwife team in Greenwich.

You should be allowed time off work for appointments, even at that time. It's the law!

I work in the City too! Hello!

hi! i gave birth at QEH on 20th december. all the midwives on delivery suite were fantastic, really friendly and supportive. i ended up having an emergency caesarean, and all the staff involved in the operation were great too. our baby had to be in special care for a few days, and the staff there were also really good. i'd heard a few stories beforehand about the level of cleanliness, but i didn't have any concerns while i was there. the only negative side to it that i found was being on the ward afterwards- most of the staff were nice enough, but obviously really understaffed, and i felt really neglected. i was there for five days though, hopefully you'll be out in a few hours!hope this helps

No comment on QEH although do go and have a look around it and Lewisham and then decide which you have the best feeling about.

Do not worry at all about mtg mums in W Greenwich - you will have no problem there are loads. If you go to the postnatal course run at the same place as the baby clinic you'll meet people + there are lots of classes for babies where you can meet people. If you're really worried why not put an ad up in the Cheese Shop on Royal Hill to see who else is due around the same time?

Hi Sal good luck with QE its just around the corner from me, I have heard some good/some bad but I think the bad more relates to being left alone a bit when you move to mat ward after, and thats how it is a lot of places!

Just make sure you get your dp to be there every minute he is allowed! I had mine at QM so cant comment personally.

As for meeting other mums, go to antenatal swimming at the Arches, go to your post natal group, if you can get to it theres a great drop in breastfeeding group in Eltham, go everywhere! Thats what I did and just smile at everyone and you'll find you soon cant fit all your mates in!

Good luck!

Hi Sal, I had my dd at QE- it was fine!
the midwives I had for the birth were brilliant actually and the medical team stepped in quickly when I had trouble getting dd out. I had to wear a monitor as I was induced but was able to stay mobile up to a point.
my only complaint is the after-care felt a bit perfunctory. It wasn't bad, but it was plain that post-natal care was less of a priority, the midwives were all very busy and I felt a little neglected the morning after.It was hard to get help with breast-feeding but I did get some help in the end.
Ward was too hot so take lightweight nighty/pjs. food ok but you might want to take some fresh fruit. Washrooms not the cleanest I'm afraid. And shame that dh couldn't come visit til 3pm the next day! Still they looked after me fine on the whole.

I have an elective cs at Queen E. The midwife, doctors and theatre staff were lovely.

But I delivered in the busiest month of the year for babies -September - that is when the X'mas/NY conceptions make their appearance into the world. The hospital was very understaffed - but they did the best they could under the circumstances. I asked for early discharge.

The Queen E servces a very large catchment area, so when it is busy, it heaves and overflows into Queen Marys, Sidcup.

April should be more manageable numbers-wise. Make sure your dh stays with you as much as possible.

Hi everyone. Ah, what a wonderful surprise to check MN again tonight and see all your replies and recommendations! It's good to hear so many positive experiences, and I'm sure it'll be fine anyway - my imagination just working a bit overtime lately - as always, I blame the baby ;-)
We're away for the coming weekend, but have decided to go on the "delivery suite tour" the following Sunday (mostly because I'm nosy and haven't been in one before - well, not since I've been old enough to remember, that is...)
Thanks again,
S.

Hi Sal I had DD1 at the QE and have mixed feelings about it, this was 3 1/2 years ago and things might have changed. I believe it wasn't the QE in particular but hospitals in general. The MWs were lovely but stretched. The labour itself was fine, they were very good at patching me up afterwards.

The post natal care left a lot to be desired. The food was awful I mean microwaved mush and there was a queue to get it which meant if you were at the back often not much was left. I got DP to bring me in food. I was in a ward of 4 and when I needed to go the the toilet I had to leave DD1 in her cot thing, the toilets were a bit horrid with other womens blood on them but I was prepared with my antibac wipes. BF support was nonexistent, everyone and anyone would come in and try and shove a nipple in DD1's mouth who was so jaundiced she wouldn't suck, we got home one day then had to come back the next for light treatment for her and were put in a private room which was much nicer. Oh last thing it was really really hot no air con and it was July and I had one fan by my bed that did nothing.

So my suggestions are:

• get DH to bring you food in
• your due in April so it won't be too warm
• take loads of antibac wipes for the toilets
• and ask for a private room think you have to pay but well worth it

Oh and don't worry about being on your own with a baby I was the exact same, knew no one in the area, no family within 300 miles. I went to a baby massage class at first and met a few mums and we formed a baby group round each others houses. Some I am still in contact with 3 1/2 years on and I have moved away.

sweetkitty-only thing about private rooms is they're not always available. I asked for one but they were all taken.
Had to spend 4 nights on a ward-not the most restful experience!

I agree Cat but always worth asking for one, I was put off one because they said I would be out later in the day, I wasn't. I also agree a ward is not the most restful place to be.

(I had a homebirth with number 2)

Hi sweetkitty and catissleepy - thanks for the advice on private room, and good to know not always available, so i'll ask but at least be prepared if they say no.
Eww - didn't even think of wipes being needed for ladies, will go prepared now.
I told husband about food that might not be great / available (think i must have exaggerated a bit on that one...), he's now planning to pack me a "snack bag" to take with the hospital bag, hahaha. Bet you i might not even fancy anything by then, but such a lovely thought that he's packing me a "picnic", can't help laughing about it!
As most people mentioned the heat (but i know at least it should be better in april), i'm going to take a cooling water spray in case - can't really sleep when hot (threatening to open bedroom windows at night in london weather as it currently is! - poor husband looks terrified that i might actually act it out...)
xxx,
S.

I sent DP to M&S in Woolwich for sarnies, cake, salad and fruit juice. Also dried fruit which makes me erm go when I need to.

I sent DP to M&S in Woolwich for sarnies, cake, salad and fruit juice. Also dried fruit which makes me erm go when I need to.

oops sorry

A friend of mine had her DD in Queen Elizabeth (two weeks early, emergency C-section as baby turned out to be breech, but both recovered fine and fast). It was OK. I had my DS in Lewisham, couldn't fault them for kindness but they forgot to feed me the day after giving birth until about 4pm when anice midwife got me some toast.. I would advocate taking a snack bag anyway as you (or indeed your DP/birth partners) might be hungry when the kitchens are shut - biscuits, fruit, dried fruit, cereal bars etc are all good.

Hi Sal. I am exactly the same , moved to the area, was originally booked at Kings, who were fantastic cos I'd had a miscarriage so they let me have loads of scans and really good care. transfered to QEH about two weeks ago, spent six months deliberating but was getting so stressed about not getting to hospital on time. I have heard some bad reports about QEh but to be honest you can get that anywhere. My uncle had a routine operation at Lewisham and ended up with MRSA . (maternity centre is different building, so don't panic). Mile end hospital is totally grim.
You can phone QEh and go on a tour on sundays, but remember that loads of people have babies and mostly everything is fine, and you won't know what will happen til the day. Tanya at Bump to bubba is great, we went to a one day course. I am local if you want to meet up, i have the same worries.

Hi cosima. Meeting up sounds good - currently still working full time, but once I go on mat leave we could try to arrange something if you're interested. when's your baby due? Mine on 13th April - can't believe how time has flown!

Hi Sal22 (and Cosima!). I'm booked into QEH and have found their antenatal care to be pretty good - I moved to the area after previously being in Tower Hamlets catchment, and thing QEH is much much nicer than the Royal - at least it's newer and therefore looks cleaner and the equipment seems to work. Staff have also been v friendly.
Sal22, I'm due on April 8th and am currently doing Tanya's six week evening course. I haven't done a tour of the delivery suite yet, but we're planning to do that shortly - I'll be interested to hear what you think of it if you go this weekend.
I think poor post-natal care is typical of most NHS hospitals, I'm hoping to get out there as soon as possible (assuming I have a normal delivery) and then use NCT/La Leche to get breastfeeding support if we're having problems.
Good tips about taking in snacks etc.

Am having my baby there in May. I have the tudor midwfie team - the ones I have seen are nice enough. This is my first - has anyone been in labour with the Tudors?

Hello all. I just had my DD ay QEH on 15th Feb. I had been a bit concerned about the whole thing because I'd heard all sorts of stories. I must say though that the whole experience was great. The staff were really supportive and my midwife was with me throughout. DD was born at 06:11 and no one pressured us to leave the delivery suite. I think that we were there until 11:30 when we transferred to the maternity ward. Midwife also made sure that I got a nice brekkie afterwards. I agree with the other ladies about the food on the ward. It is pretty horrendous. I too sent DH to Woolwich for provisions! I think that the only downside to the whole birthing experience is that I wasn't given my epidural in time for it to actually work. But to be honest, it was no great loss because the pain was manageable wih gas and air - my new best friend! Best of luck with your birth!