American giving birth in UK 1st time

[AshleyCali2Uk]

Hi Moms! I'll be giving birth in the UK for the first time in Jan 2024. I have 3 children I've given birth to in California so I know what to expect in the USA, but here in the UK I'm nervous. I read things like they kick you out as soon as possible, don't provide diapers. And being in a ward makes me nervous because I'm use to having my own room and space to turn the light off and have some peace and quiet. Can you please give me some advice.
What to expect for a c section mom. What to bring in my hospital bag. What's it like in a ward? Anything. Thank you so much.

Lip Balm was what I wished for when I was in hospital. It is so hot and dry. Take extra water, load up kindle/iPad. Lots of snacks.

Congratulations and good luck.

Yes I am the CS is scheduled for 8 Feb in hopes to bump it up sooner since my DD is 4Feb. All my children were delivered CS so I'm having one to be on the safe side.
After reading everything ppl have shared here, I'm happy to give birth do my night in the ward like everyone else and have my story to tell later and go home as soon as possible to my family. 😊😂

Bring your own food as they won't necessarily feed you, for example if the dr is talking to you when they bring the meals they tend to just skip you. Breakfast is down the corridor so if you can't walk you won't get any

Depends on the hospital. Each time that’s happened, the meal lady has come back later to take my order.

And I’ve never had to go and get breakfast myself.

Might be worth finding out more about how things work at your specific hospital, as each hospital is different and people sharing hospital specific experiences won’t be a huge help.

You're only be in for 24 hrs, so you'll have the home comforts almost straight away if there aren't complications. Obviously this saves on costs but also lowers infection risk. Just drink absolutely loads so they can see youve done a nice big wee without the catheter in and your good to go.
Somehow I had a room to myself both times but actually the second time the staffing was so low that me nd my baby could have died and no one would have noticed, it was really tough but we were home in just over 24 hours.

Oh boy, OP. Are you sure you can't do this privately? The NHS is very hit and miss to put it politely. Their rates of maternal and infant death are fairly shocking. Most white middle class American women from California will be used to a very different level of care. Your husband will need to advocate strongly for you and keep saying if something doesn't seem right.

No it's good to know the good the bad and the ugly! It help me to understand and know what to expect. I love all the stories. It does sound like I too may be ready to go after being in the Ward.
You know it's funny you say all this bc I always thought mothers didn't mind and it was just the way and you don't feel a way about it. So it's not to know this isn't true however you all get it and just hurry and go home 😂😂

Be aware that emergency CS can cause disruptions to booked CS - hopefully won't be the case but this is the way the NHS works

They're good at keeping you and baby alive and well, but they're not good at caring. Food is provided, as long as you can walk to the dining room - no one will bring it to your bed or even notice if you don't eat. Nobody will pass baby to you, no matter how unwell you feel. Take everything you think you could possibly need, including pads for yourself, as hospital ones (if they still provide) are horrid.

Be aware that if you want to be discharged it will take several hours for the pharmacy to dispense your drugs. Various doctors will need to sign you off before you can leave and if you go to the loo and miss their round you might not get to leave

They make you feel like this but you can always discharge yourself - I did it both for myself and my children multiple times because of this issue. Sent DH back to the hospital to pick up my drugs

They do a good job with what they’ve got and the staff work very hard to try and make sure people get good care. The care you experience will vary hugely depending where and when you’re getting that care. It may be the midwife on the ward after your caesarean only has 4 mums and babies to care for that day, she might have 12. If you suddenly start haemorrhaging everyone who can will leave what they are doing to give you the care you need. If they are worried about you they’ll discuss with the obstetric team. A lot will go on behind the scenes to try and ensure you and baby receive the care you need. However she might not have time to come and just ‘check in on you’ etc (in addition to mandatory checks in the first few hours) but you’ll have a call bell in case there is anything you want to ask for. You might not get discharged as soon as you’re clinically ready to go as clinical observations and medications and essential care for their set of patients will always come before doing all the work and checks needed to ensure the safe discharge of a mother and baby.
99% of staff will be kind and compassionate to you. Expect to receive good clinical care and meals but expect to sort out anything you can for yourself, e.g. they won’t expect you to call the buzzer to have baby’s nappy changed if your DH is standing there, your expected to bring in all your own things such as nappies, pre prepped baby milk bottles,,clothes, snacks for DH etc. They’ll expect you’ll have prepped yourself on labour and birth, caring for a baby etc unless your a very young mother, illiterate or have learning disabilities as most people would of but if your unsure of anything or feel you need help with anything, e.g. baby struggling to latch then just ask. I remember having my first baby and thinking they’d come and check on me, fluff my pillows and have baby for the night 😂

Maybe take a pair of sliders to wear if you have a shower there. Not sure what the rules are for showering post section, but the floors in the shower room and bathroom weren’t always the most clean when I was in hospital (not Barnsley)

Yeah I don't think we can at this time. I will have him speaking on my behalf & I know how to speak as well I'm not scared at all to be polite & firm. his father was a surgeon in the hospital I'm giving both at and most of his older family members were in healthcare as Surgeons & things too. I'm not picky as long as I am taken care of. My biggest worry was what to expect so I can prepare. I don't want Americas system in my mind when I go in. I need to know about the UK system so I can be prepared. The best way to know is to ask ppl who've been there & done that

This isn't true of all hospitals so I don't think it's fair to make it sound like it's an absolute. All meals, whether you're in the maternity ward or any other ward, in my hospital are brought to your bed. And especially the first few hours after my c section the nurses passed me my baby every time.

So I'm possibly screwed either way! Lol 😂

I'm so sorry you went through this or know someone who did. What year and hospital was this if you don't mind me asking?

You are allowed to go to California to give birth. You are making a choice. I'm sorry but it's really galling of you to say these things for a free service. You don't like it...give birth in california.

Fellow Barnsley mum here. I gave birth in Barnsley hospital (nearly 12 years ago) they were great. However if worried, could you not travel to Jessops in Sheffield? Or Wakefield? Message me if there's anything you need or just a rant x

I knew the anti-American sentiment would show up. She's asking legit questions and not at all being a twat and yet here comes someone to tell her to go back to California. Also the NHS is not a free service. It's paid for by taxes! It's free at the point of service.

@Goodornot Some women have had poor experiences on the NHS, it’s not always the best care and OP is simply here on a fact finding mission so she is prepared.
Calm your jets!

@Goodornot it was a joke. I assume bc of this comment you haven't read any of my other post about how I'm prepared to give birth here bc of the advice shared here or how my goal in making this post was to make sure I don't have America in mind and I'm fully prepared for the UK and what to expect. Clearly you haven't read any of my other comments just the one I'm joking on.
Aside from that you are screwing someone who has a planned CS if you come in for an emergency
And if you read I am a planned CS who may have to have an Emergency CS due to the time they have booked my CS. Which is why I made that comment
Also don't tell someone to go back to America it's rude. I'm here to be educated and learn not insulted over a joke! Thanks. 😊😌

Yes meals should be bought to you especially if you’ve had a caesarean and someone should come (eventually) if you ring your buzzer and ask baby to be passed to you. I’ve never heard that not happening at any of our local hospitals

I’m not sure if this is possible but I’d recommend transferring to Sheffield. Jessops is a much better facility than Barnsley in terms of their ability to provide specialist care etc. Sheffield is s teaching hospital so they are much better set up. Obviously you hope you won’t need any of the extra expertise and everything will be super smooth for you but good to know it’s there (imo). I had my first LB at Jessops in June 2021 and I’m literally waiting to head back in today as my waters broke last night. We live between Barnsley and Sheffield but technically I should be going to Barnsley as I’m just inside that area but I chose to go to Jessops instead.

where are you based?

Right! Like I just want to know what to expect and be prepared and I'm so thankful for the stories shared. You all have really put me to ease! I don't think I really need to talk to my midwife at this point I got it from here 😂

I had a vaginal birth and every cup of tea / snack / meal was bought to me. I’ve not known a patient in hospital for any reason having to go to the dinning room to get a meal tbh.

@Londonscallingme omg Congratulations and I hope everything goes smoothly and you have a great experience for you and baby! How exciting!
I'm here in Barnsley the hospital is about a 10 min walk 15 now that I'm 7 months lol 😂