Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Childbirth

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

Best Maternity Hospitals in the South East

5 replies

MamaBearLoading · 30/03/2022 21:51

Hi Mums,

I am in the early stages of pregnancy via IVF.
I have quite severe endometriosis and have been advised I will need to have a Caesarian. Because of this, I believe I have a lot more option in choosing my hospital. I am based in Hertfordshire, I don't mind travelling for appointments and the fact I won't be rushing to a hospital whilst in labour is very handy!
I really want to feel supported if I need to stay in for a few days as I will possibly be alone and also know that the team have me. The last thing I want is to be an oversight and left to go into natural labour as this will cause big problems for me!
Any advice is welcome! 🥰

OP posts:
candlesandpitchforks · 31/03/2022 06:35

Few tips from someone who also couldn't go into natural labour.

They will want you to have a c section at 39 weeks. They won't book you in before this date as they like to wait until babies lungs are developed. If you go into active labour aka contractions 5kins apart last 1 min long or waters break you will be put on the emergency list c section list.

They really really won't want to give you a section before 39 weeks no matter what medical conditions you have, so this will in all likely good be considered a elective section. I suspect they leave it this late because if your contracting it might mean they can sway you into a natural birth or say oops it's to late.

Hospitals still always prefer you to have a vagibal birth if entirely possible, I was told to come in at earliest signs of labour when pregnant and it won't be a problem as it would be dangerous for me to go for a vbac for various reasons (issues re baby and my health) and it was on system and at a very good hospital. But when the time came I had a fair amount of fobbing off that I was in labour by triage and MW who knew all the notes and still kept saying well sometimes we just don't have time for c section. Yes well if you don't check I'm in labour then yes it will be too late.

I don't blame the MWs though, bad system with notes being all over place and not enough staff or even time to read notes means things do get missed. Frankly never met a Mw yet that doesn't strongly advocate for natural delivery which I totally understand (if it wasn't for the fact I'm one of the fraction of people who would literally die from going naturally)

Anyway that horrific story aside, look at which maternity reports I found them helpful . Check the maternity ofstead reports - they make for grim reading. Esp when they mention staffing levels.

If going for c section - look at things re post natal care it's important and actually the thing that will make or break your birthing experience - although getting the section was a nightmare ... my post natal care was outstanding and my MWs just bloody Brillant. Good thing too as I was very poorly afterwards.

Not enough MW at the moment by my god do they do their best with the limited resources they have. I went to Pembury hospital and as I said MW were Brillant, one of the consultant was questionable but the rest of them bloody amazing.

Heard questionable things about Brighton (v v v v understaffed tbh) Croydon MW is busy but good care although staff turn over high, Pembury was my choice but I suspect it might be a little far for you !

Tidlo · 31/03/2022 07:23

You will have your C-section at some point within 39 weeks so there is a fair chance you could go into labour naturally before. They will still do a c-section if you can get to them in time so would be unwise to choose somewhere where you have far to travel. Really, Iit would be very naive to assume you won't be rushing to hospital!

MamaBearLoading · 31/03/2022 09:47

Thank you both for the advice.
In my case I am in that small percentage that my uterus could split during labour, which would "always kill baby and almost always kill you". Direct quote of my consultant. So you can see why I want to be listened to and go ahead with a planned c-section!
I'll definitely have a read through all the ofsted reports and do my research Smile

OP posts:
candlesandpitchforks · 01/04/2022 07:37

@MamaBearLoading no judgement re c section - I have had two they are fab ! Pp is right though, they leave it late 39 weeks for a reason (I suspect cost cutting) -

I had my C-section for a similar type of reason to you and they booked me in for 39 weeks and not Before and I went into labour then was given a emergency. Please factor in travel time I didn't realise how wrong things can go fast !

Good luck xxxx

MamaBearLoading · 01/04/2022 10:31

That's really helpful @candlesandpitchforks I really assumed there's no way they would let me go into natural labour! So now travel time is the most important thing!!
Thank you xx

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread