Birth at EGA (UCLH)

[Miarey]

Hello
Has anyone had a c section or normal birth at EGA? What are your opinions of the care you received?
I'm probably having a c section but am a bit worried about the state of the wards / bathrooms and staff being overstretched especially for postnatal care. My booking appointment was in a room with a birthing pool - there was still blood splashed around the outside of the bath - dried on - yuk! How long that had been there!!

Hi Miarey. When are you due? I'm due Nov 28th and am booked in at UCH, so can't advise you but we can share in our angst. I'm going for a VBAC, I think, but haven't entirely ruled out an elective c-section.

The shiny new maternity hospital is (supposedly) opening on Nov 1st. Hope so! The current wards are pretty crumbly and old (Victorian, I think, and it shows!).

I had a csection there 8 weeks ago (my third section - other two at different hospitals.

The EGA is quite yucky and they are not fixing things as they are moving soon. If you are having your baby afer the move, then I think you will find the physical condition of the wards very good.

The care however, I doubt will change. Postnatal care was poor, but then that is true of most London hospitals. Night care in particular is bad. One midwife for a whole ward (mine was a post section ward which meant everyone was immobile and needed help). I had one wonderful midwife postnatally, but she was certainly the exception.

The saving grace however, is the SCBU. I know no-one thinks they will need it (I certainly didn't), but my baby ended up there for a week. It is one of the best in the country and I was very happy to be there.

I would suggest not staying in for any longer than you absolutely need to.

I have read lots of complaints about all hospitals here on MN in terms of post-natal care etc but I do think it's important to remember that it's a hospital not a hotel and that generally people are doing their best.

I had no expectations and found them faultless.

A better approach is to perhaps liken it to being in college accomodation - it's a mindset

I disagree about it being a mindset. I had an appalling experience postnatally at St Mary's and therefore had extremely low expectations this time around. However, there is a difference between expecting hotel like accomodation and expecting to actually be cared for medically.

I stayed in for less than 24 hours post section, but I was told by the night midwife to empty my own catheter bag that night in the bathroom. I was also not given the anti-d injection until I noticed 10 days later that I had not had it and chased around the hospital trying to find someone to take responsibility and deal with it.

I met a woman a couple of weeks ago in the x-ray dept when i went back to have a hip scan on the baby (breech) who also gave birth there (first time section). She told me that at night, she had pressed the button for the midwife so many times and no-one came that she ended up crawling across the floor to get the things she needed to change her baby. She stayed on the floor as she could not get back on the bed. When the midwife found her there, she was told off and the midwife said she could be struck off for something like that.

So, I think this really is not about expectations.

I have had two sections at the EGA and I thought they were great.I agree the hygiene is not always up to scratch,but the surgeons both times were really clear and communicated well without being patronising,the anaesthatists too,and that is the most important thing.My second was a failed vbac,the birthing centre team there were amazing and i had very kind and supportive midwives,who is your midwife and which consultant are you under?

Mrs Mattie, I hope the EGA moves into the new wing before your time comes! I'm not due until March.

Ilanakn I'm out of there as soon as I am able.

Thankyouandgoodnight - it's probably a good plan to have zero expectations for care at an NHS hospital. But, I find it really annoying when I think about how much money goes into the NHS and there doesn't seem to be the basics such as a clean ward and bathrooms. That doesn't cost any extra money, just takes people to care. Rant over.

Hellymelly, MW is Lorna Blade. Seems nice so far.. Still in negotiations on a consultant. Have you any recommendations?

Sorry to add to the tales of woe... my own experience was exactly 2 years ago - so hopefully theres been some turnover of staff. After a mismanaged birth in the birthing centre , which resulted in a 3rd degree tear, I spend 4 hellish nights on Hunter ward. Although I escaped most of the nastiness, that seemed to be reserved for the new Mums who'd had ceasareans the whole experience was v.unpleasant. I had very little sleep, no help with BF, and when after a much longer stay than expected, I ran out of cotton wool for wiping babys bum, I was in such a panic cos I knew the MW were going to make a big deal of it, I had been waiting to be discharged on a Saturday night but Doctor said no, DH had been dispatched to Tottenham Court Road to buy some but couldn't find any... so I had to ask them for some, I got an exasperated sigh and was given 3 balls of cotton wool, and told to replace them in the morning... That was the only thing I'd asked for in 4 days... Having said all that, it so depends on the staff - The last night shift MWs were fine, and the difference between them and the others was amazing, I know people who've had good experiences. Good LUck whatever you do!

My consultant was mr Silverstone and he is truly wonderful,a lovely lovely man.even the docs wanted him as theirs when preg.I was on hunter ward the second time (16 months ago) but not for long as I went home after two nights,I felt cared for and was very happy,only one bossy and stroppy midwife.The first time was a bit different as I had a tricky birth and I was in my own room.I think if you are having a section the team doing that and the consultant are the things to focus on,the rather tatty wards and occasional bossy staff member mean nothing really.Best of luck !

Totally agree with IlanaK: 'I disagree about it being a mindset. I had an appalling experience postnatally at St Mary's and therefore had extremely low expectations this time around. However, there is a difference between expecting hotel like accomodation and expecting to actually be cared for medically.'

I had a horrendous experience at the Royal Free with my first birth. They forgot my anti-D injection... left me sleeping in bloody sheets...forgot to remove the 'Nil by mouth' note from my notes so I didn't eat for 36 hours post section... left my baby unattended in a corridor next to an open door...gave him formula without my consent...bruised my cervix through too rough and too many internal exams...the list goes and on, and all that was without even mentioning the constant turnover of rude agency midwives and horrible, bullying doctors. I had very low expectations when I went in, was totally prepared to go with the flow and trust in the medical staff. Big mistake!

I'm not overly happy about being at UCH, but I have come to terms (through bitter experience) with the fact that London hospitals are much of the muchness and that it will be up to me to be assertive and tell them what I will or won't be accepting.

we spent 3 days post homebirth in transitional care at EGA in March for ds2's jaundice. transitional care is too sick for normal wards, not sick enough for NICU of SCBU. the unit was well staffed and i had good night time care during a flare of rheumatoid arthritis, they looked after ds2 very well when i couldn't hold him and did exactly as i said with him. it was however cramped and hot and tatty, bout which a minded not at all.

scbu and NICU also very cramped and tatty, was there june 05 with ds1's serious jaundice. care there excellent.

antenatal care poor, never saw same person twice. can't comment on normal post natal wards, not having been on one at UCH.

did have 1 night post natal care at Tommy's which was frightening (person next tp me crashed, couldn't get anyone to come foe ages) BUT this was the night of 7/7/5 and staff were unable to reach work due to bombings earlier

I found my ante natal care really good but it had definately got more hectic in there by the time I had my second.I had community midwives who I saw through the whole pregancy and I had the divine Mr Silverstone for more major checks.I spent days on end in the DAU and they were really lovely to me,even though it was always busy I felt very cared for.I had a crash after the first section and I lost conciousness for a while,my husband was with me but the crash team were there instantly and I had great care afterwards.I think that if things are going well you could be anywhere (may as well be at home actually) but if things go wrong then being in a hospital like the EGA is a very good thing.My eldest baby spent a few days in the special care unit there too and I was very happy with that too.The only things I hated each time were bossy staff when i was on a ward,but that is such a minor thing.And yes it is old and tatty and was somewhat grubby at times.I have every confidence in them and I have been wavering about trying for a third baby and worry about giving birth somewhere else!(I have moved out of London).By the way I have heard horrors about the Royal Free,loads of mothers seem to have had a bad time there.

Ahhh Miarey, I believe I had my very own booking in appointment in that room you mention - I was depressed for weeks afterwards, not to mention bloody scared...

The following things console me - The latest I hear is that the new, much better maternity ward opens on Nov 4. I hope you are due well after that? By all accounts, the medical care there if something goes wrong is brilliant, and I did meet a barrister specialising in medical negligence who chose UCH based on her work experience. And friends of friends have found it okay...

Fingers crossed for all of us?

Hi Judy
Yes, I'm not due until March so hopefully all will have moved into the new hospital by then. Only have to worry about a few months worth of dirt rather than years!
I've had nightmares ever since that hour I spent in that room. Everytime I've been to the hospital I'm bordering on a panic attack. Makes my blood pressure high too....

Hope all goes well for you....

I had an emergency c section there exactly a year ago. I agree that the after care was really shocking (eg didn't see that my catheter bag needed emptying, forgetting to give me painkillers, not helping at all with breast feeding despite asking 5 times, rude staff who couldn't speak English, not giving me food for 24 hrs by mistake... etc etc etc). I also saw cockroaches in the bathroom. I really regret not standing up for myself more - the staff were rude and ill informed (eg wouldn't let me use a TENS machine whilst being monitored). I really would not recommend it to anyone. I still feel dreadful every time I think about it. I'm sorry if this makes you feel worried. I you really do need a c section, then I would suggest leaving the hospital as soon as you can and recovering at home and also having someone there with you as much as possible to help you because you are not going to be helped by the staff. I'm sure that having a planned c would be much less traumatic.

i have had 2 babies at UCH

both times i was high risk due to a blood condition and i was scared about how clean the hospital was going to be but

I can report they managed my care brilliantly before I was in the high risk clinic so waited hours for appointments ( seriously not exaggerating) but when I had them they were excellent

all the bathrooms post labour were clean and during labour the midwifes were excellent

post natally they are not great and there are understaffed and I couldn't wait to get out and second time round I kind of told them i was going home!

the best thing was because I was high risk and neededcare after birth with dc 2 they kept me in labour ward instead of staying on postnatal ward ( they said I wouldn't get the drugs needed if I was on the ward and I can believe it)
this meant I ahd a private room and the labour ward midwives who were amazing for 24 hours after birth.

so excellent care duing pregnancy and labour after care like a lot of places leaves a lot to be desired!

An update - I haven't had my baby yet (am booked in for a c-section, now...11 days and counting, argh!), but I spent the night on the labour ward a few nights ago and the new hospital is spanking - extremely clean, shiny, great rooms etc. Still a frustratingly busy, slightly ramshackle London hospital vibe (!), but the new hospital building is a BIG improvement.

I had my DD in the birthing centre in Oct last year. I was originally booked in at the Royal London so I can say that the antenatal care and maternity wards are much better at UCH. Basically, it's really grotty and run down (why do they leave the maternity ward til last when the whole hospital is moving to shiny new premises?!) but I think the quality of care is good. My brother and I were both born there 30 odd years ago and my mum said it didn't look like it had changed much .
Anyway, as I say, the care was good I think. As someone else has said, also important to remember things like the fact that they have one of the best neonatal units in the country so it's a good place to be if things go wrong.

I'd agree the aftercare is shabby but I've been told it is everywhere. I think I was in Hunter ward too. I had the same experience of not having cotton wool to clean DD's bum and having to send DP's neice out to buy some on Tott Court Road late at night because the staff wouldn't provide it. I also warn you that the toilets/bathroom on the ward were pretty nasty. I was so looking forward to a bath after giving birth but instead had to stand shivering in a skanky old shower that was just a tiny dribble of boiling water Grim. Also, there was only one toilet in the birthing centre (for 5 birthing rooms) and for some reason the early stages of labour made me want to wee every 2 minutes so it was a bit stressful having to wait for other women in labour who were having baths in there!

Anyway, don't want to freak you out. Overall I'd say it was very good and I'd go back there again if I were having another baby. I think the expertise of the staff etc is more important than how plush the surroundings are. Although obviously plush surroundings would be a bonus too

Good luck.
PS. I met Dr Silverstone too and he was lovely and I've heard good things about him from other doctors.

I had dd there in May. I was induced. The care was amazing. I could not rave about it more. I had to be montitored throughout and there was a midwife with me all the time (both were fantastic). I got my epidural as soon as I needed it and when thet induced me, before they moved me, I was in a room wit one other person (then in my own room).

Once dd was born, and I was moved to the ward, it was a Sunday and they were short staffed. They did their best. I was on a c-section ward (although did not have a c-section). I was in until Tuesday and the care on Mon and Tues was pretty good aftercare compared to what I have heard about. On the Monday night, they had a nursery nurse who spent her whole night going from bed to bed, helping with the babies and checking everyone was ok.

Everywhere was really clean too.

I have had quite a few friends who have given birth there recently and all have been much better than other hospitals (like Royal Free and Barnet).

The new building is meant to be really nice.

Mrs Mattie, so you decided on your elective. I'm glad they moved to the new hospital in time for you......... Let us know how you get on and good luck. Do you know who is doing your c section?

Hi Miarey. Yes - got appointment tomorrow to check that the obstetric cholestasis isn't any worse (in which case they may bring the section forward), but am booked in for the 21st Nov. Will try to find out tomorrow who's doing it. Feeling apprehensive, to be honest ...but excited, too. Thanks for checking in with me xx

I had my first baby at the UCH in dec 2006. I had a 34 hour labour and lost count of the amount of midwives I saw in this time. The toilet was dirty and had blood on the seat. I was taken to another part of the birthing unit after 20 hours to be monitored more closely and to be given an epidural. I had to have a drip put in which they were having a hard time doing so I was panicing more and having the risks of the epidural explained to me at the same time which I couldn't understand between panic and contractions. The epidural was fine first time thank god but the aneasatist had an argument with the midwife in front of me for not topping it up often enough and thought I might have to have it redone.... The birth itself was fine I told the midwife I was most worried about tearing and she did everything she could to prevent it which was great, I didn't have to have any stiches. Once my baby was born the only thing the midwife said was great it's the end of my shift now. I had a shower in a freezing cold dirty room. When I came out of the shower I was bleeding very badly I asked 3 people if this was normal and they all said yes only to be told 2 hours later I was having a hemmorage and had to have a blood transfusion thank god someone noticed. It's one thing to have rude staff and dirty rooms but not noticing something that I could have died of is pretty scary. I hope that the new ward is much better I am 4 months pregnant and the staff and parts of the new hospital I have seen so far have been brilliant.