Harriet loves Homerton - well, most bits anyway

[HarrietTheSpy]

DD just arrived 4 weeks early after waters breaking last Thurs. Some very scary times and fraught moments, but I wanted to share some bits of my experience for what it's worth. Might be of interest to locals going there, VBACers, and early deliveries...

Homerton was fab fab fab. At no time was I under any pressure to head straight for a c-section. They explained the 'normal' policy (48 hours) but were more than willing to stand back, observe, and take a balanced view. At all times the consultants supported my decision to continue to try for a VBAC. Obviously this was based on the baby being okay, but in line with NICE guidelines we were going to 96 hrs before planned c section.

Mon am arrived and I went into labour!!! Twenty minutes before the section with me in agony and about to bottle it, the consultant examined me and said: "Harriet you can do this." No section, DD arrived 12 hours later! 6 lbs, we're not sleeping, but otherwise a major relief.

A couple of asides:Mobile epidural was a revelation - I could feel when the contractions were coming, but much preferable as I could stay really involved in the labour but felt really in control. Classic comment from my independent midwife later: "How did you bruise your knees so badly?" Hmm...did you notice I was kneeling and rocking for about 9 hrs? At the end after all the top ups it did poss have an impact on my pushing, but it's hard to say whether it was that or the total exhaustion. Still had CRACKING BACK PAIN and the baby wasn't even OP this time - and also v titchy .

Love affair with Hom ends with the aftercare. I think aspects have actually gotten worse since 2004 when I was tehre for DD1. After such a high from the delivery, the post natal ward was such a downer. So disappointing. Baby on antibiotics, that jaunidice rug they sleep on, so uncomfortable, plus I'm stressed about feeding. I'm walking DD around at 4.30 after hours of screaming and the midwives decide to inform me of their health and safety policy, that it's not allowed for mothers to walk around with their babies. Got loads of paperwork wrong (including baby's WEIGHT !!!!!!! which was going to be a critical factor in when we could actually leave the hospital) or it went missing. Abusive midwives in some cases. No loo roll which is great when you have a 2nd degree tear and are forced to use a handwipe. They are trying hard with the breast feeding - there was a counsellor about and more women seemed to be feeding. But very strange and conflicting advice, and they're really into riding your case as to how you're getting on with it all, which is a bit intimidating. If you do want formula (I gave DD some from a cup), be ready for someone to have gone home with the key to the cupboard as well. Hosp cleaner, though, but down for some bizarre reason to 1 private room and the ward has moved downstairs. So there I am in my pjs with painful bits elevatoring it up to the second floor SCBU for check ups.

Anyway, that's enough. Sorry it's so long but had to spill.x

I would imagine that the pethidine was part of the lethargy. Glad the bfing is going well. They do like to keep them long in SCBU. But.... you're home, he's feeding and you're doing well.

Don't forget to shout if you need anything. Ooh and Cranial Osteopathy might be a good thing to do. I recommend it to all of my ladies. It's donation based

Maxy3
Thanks for your post. Was tehre any sign of an infection ie smelly waters, green in colour? This is what I was told to look out for.

Were you in the DeFoe ward?

Really interesting re your labour experience. I did wonder if having the independent midwife there made a difference as to how we were treated. But then again I don't think so, because in the run up to everything it was just DH and I in the hospital on our own. And we were connecting really well with the midwife we were assigned prior to my IM arriving, she was really nice. She did not leave our side during the whole time. Please, I hope this doesn't make you feel bad! I think it does make a difference who you have although over the four days I have to say that we only met really lovely people in the delivery areas.

But as I said, such a contrast to the post natal ward. YOur experience couldn't be more diff from mine. Another thing that drove me nuts was when the shifts changed and the midwives would come and talk over you. Just pull the curtain back and start going over your case history without so much as a hello, i'm so and so. Spouting off a bunch of abbreviations. Finally I was like: Excuse me, can you please explain what you're talking about?! One midwife, after I'd been crying to various visitors such as the physio and was clearly really emotional, reviews my chart with her colleague and said: "Oh, she's self-helping," meaning she doesn't need much assistance. I wanted to scream: I do need some support!

Regarding leaving the hospital, in 2004, I was supposedly signed out at around mid-day by the SHO. Then someone decided she wasn't suitable to sign me out - maybe it had to be the consultant, whatever - and we ended up having to wait until 9.30 that night before being given the all clear. So, I guess the only way was up after that one.

Also re the breastfeeding and kilos - yes, that sounds just like the rather strange pseudo scientific concepts that I encountered. Low milk supply, but express and feed via bottle...huh?!