Hospitals in Bedfordshire

[thesleepyone]

Hi! I recently found out I am pregnant and I'm fairly new to the area of Leighton Buzzard. I need to chose between Stoke Mandeville, Luton and Dunstable, or Milton Keynes hospitals, and I just have no idea! None of them are doing tours due to Covid. I need to make my mind up in the next week, so I'd really appreciate any new mums sharing their experiences! Thank you so much in advance!

I had both my dds in the L&D, that was 11 and 13 years ago. They were amazing.
Myself and db both born there nearly 50 years ago. Very good then too 👌🏼
When dd1 was born I had a private room which was great (not sure they do that still), dd1 had a few complications, but all good.
With dd2, I was there from 2pm til midnight, so no room. The midwifery staff were wonderful.

I've had both my DSs at MK and was well looked-after (though postnatal was a bit chaotic, but I think that's true everywhere). I've worked at Stoke Mandeville and again it's a nice labour ward, well-run and friendly. Not much experience of L&D I'm afraid.

I'm going with Stoke Mandeville hospital as I know lots of mums who gave birth there and all very positive about it. I only know a couple of people who went with MK and both had bad experiences with the care after their babies were born. I know it's only a couple of people but it was enough to put me off. I haven't heard anything about L&D as it's a bit far for me.

Had both of mine at on the midwife led unit at the L&D (dd4 and ds2) couldn’t fault them either time. And when a routine growth scan raise some concerns about eschemic bowel I had excellent care that was really quick in getting out in place. Ultimately DS was all fine but was good to know all the relevant resources were there (level 3 Nicu etc) if he’d have needed them

Thanks so much! I'd love a private room, but I hear you sometimes have to pay extra (probably worth it depending on cost though)

Thank you! Yes from what I understand, postnatal is always a bit chaotic

Thank you! I have also unfortunately heard worrying things about MK. So based on that, given that I need to have confidence in the hospital I'm going to, I think I'm probably ruling out MK

Thank you! My GP recommended L&D for the Level 3 Nicu also, which seems very sensible. However, on my recent visits there however the hospital seems to be a bit of a building site, and parking is a bit difficult, so I'm not sure

I had both mine at MK (1 and 4 YO).
Both were good experiences in the labour ward. Midwives were great, 1-1 care and in and out within 6 hours with the second. The postnatal ward is not so great but I think thats the same everywhere. Only complaint I have is that they only have 2 birthing pools and both were occupied during my visit!

@thesleepyone yes, we were supposed to pay for it. When I say that it was supposed to be £150 iirc, but the room wasn’t great and dh complained and they wavered the fee as they were actually in the process of updating the rooms which were going to be scheduled for a week later. It was nice not to ‘share’ with others.

Congratulations! I gave birth at MK 7 weeks ago. The care throughout my pregnancy was great (consultant led) and ADAU really good when I went in a few times with reduced movements and blood pressure issues. Labour ward were fantastic - midwives and doctors were great, had 1:1 care during active labour, can’t fault them.

However, had a terrible experience pre and postnatally on Ward 9 - although the staff were lovely they were extremely short staffed, there was little to no support with breastfeeding, very poor communication and just overall quite chaotic. Also partners aren’t allowed to stay and you’re only allowed one visitor for the duration of your stay. I was induced and I went through early labour completely alone in the middle of the night and the midwives that night weren’t very caring I was pacing the ward for several hours in pain with contractions and not one member of staff asked if I was okay or offered any support. I got to 6cm before someone finally checked me and I was whisked off to labour ward!

Unfortunately though the staffing crisis in the NHS is pretty universal and I’ve heard that postnatal wards in general aren’t the best places so unfortunately I don’t think my experience is unique to MK!

In all the times that I've had to go to the L&D i never had an issue finding parking at all and they have got the new multi storey car park out the from of A&E which always has spaces when I've been (at different times of day etc). Parking is usually busy between 1.30 and 3pm as that's the start of hospital wide visiting hours but I've never had an issue finding a space. You can also park for free in some of the side roads about 5-10 minute walk away if you need to. They do also have designated maternity drop off right outside the front entrance of the maternity unit which means no walking when you're in labour.

I had an excellent experience last month at L&D. Wonderful midwives who listened to me and were so supportive and wonderful aftercare. Yes parking isn’t brilliant but there are on street spaces behind maternity ward which are easier than multi storey. Don’t let the look of the outside put you off - inside is fab. At my NCT class all other women had MK births and at least half are very unhappy with their experiences there. I have heard good things about Stoke though it’s a further drive than the other two from LB

Also you can change your mind about which hospital you want to go to at any point, so don’t feel rushed into a decision - you could go for first scan and see how you like it

The midwifery led unit and nicu at L&D are amazing. Depending on what sort of birth you're after and your personal needs. I also really liked the staff at L&D however never delivered on their delivery suite so no experience to that. I did get a private room postnatally (didn't pay) and they were so good.

I’ve just been to the L&D today at A&E, I was transferred to the Urgent GP clinic, seen by an amazing GP who did thorough checks on me and was done and dusted in half an hour 👌🏼

Had both of mine in SMH. No complaints at all. Post natal was a but chaotic, but I went home within 6 hours with number 2 and didn’t go there.

i really rate them to be fair!