Experiences at Guildford (Royal Surrey) Hospital please

[cairns]

Hi I had DS1 at Kingston Hospital and whilst the midwives during labour were lovely (and worked very hard) I had quite a traumatic time in the early stages of labour and with postnatal care as the hospital was soooooo full.

I live in Surrey and am therefore researching alternatives . Mainly Epsom and Guildford. Can anyone share their experiences of Guildford, how did you find it? was it too full? what was the BF support like? would you go back there?

Would really appreciate it

I had my ds there in 2006 and will be having my second one there in a few weeks all being well. The midwifery care was absolutely brilliant. I had two lovely midwives (had a very long traumatic labour). Breast feeding support not wonderful though, and wasn't able to have an epidural due to lack of staff (two sets of twins being delivered at the same time)- and it was VERY VERY busy at the time. It does always seem to be pretty busy - but I think most hospitals are.. not sure if this will help you, but best of luck deciding. I think people have such different experiences depending on their individual circumstances - it's difficult to be objective!

Sorry - at the Royal Surrey I meant to say!

Have had 2 births at Royal Surrey (both c-sections, one an emergency with a long labour beforehand).

Basically very good and way above NHS average.

Both times the hospital was very busy, and when in labour I couldn't get access to a delivery room for the first 16 hours because they were all full. Second time round, I was booked for an elective cs, told to be there at 8am and waited all day only to be told to go home at 7pm as they were too busy (by that time I was in labour naturally and they eventually did a cs later that night, but that's another story). However, I think that's just bad luck and could have happened anywhere.

The midwives and doctors were very good, and first time round I got a lot of help with bfeeding. There is a TV by each bed with digital channels, and for a small hourly fee you can access the internet and make phone calls on it.

The food is awful, but that is really my only complaint.

You can pay extra to get an amenity room, which is like a private room but you still get NHS medical care, so the same midwives/doctors/food, but you are paying for your privacy. I did this both times and it was well worth the money. You can't book the rooms in advance though, it is first come first served.

Hope that helps.

I had dd there five years ago, so a lot may have changed, but it's one of the reasons dd is an only. I cant face the thought of having to go through that again

They were quite rude on the phone to me, and in the end said 'well you'd better come in, but if you're less than 3 cms we'll send you home again'. I was actually 8-9 cms - I knew I was in pain!

We were mainly left to get on with it, with brusque, irregular check ups. They broke my waters, and the pain was excruciating. No epidural, as no anaesthetist available. They shouted at me, bullied me and I was terrified. 3 hours of pushing later, and an extended episiotomy, dd was delivered. I was offered a wash in a washing up bowl with a jay cloth. No cup of tea, nothing to eat. I gave birth at 4, didn't make the ward til 8. 'oh tea's over' - they finally tracked me down a cup of cold tomato soup.

No help with b/f at all. I went home asap, as I knew I'd get a bit of care there. My M/W was wonderful at home, but agreed the care was non-existent.

Hope it has changed, but I couldn't recommend it I'm afraid.

Sorry to hear of your experience HoHoHot.

I forgot to say, my 2 births were in early 2005 and early 2007.

Thanks Ladies. I really appreciate it. It is so difficult deciding as based on some of your 'bad' experiences were quite similar to mine at Kingston and maybe it is just a symptom of having a baby at busy times in hospital these days.

I must say I was quite upset in how I was treated at Kingston, that I will definately not go back there. Although a good friend of mine thought it was wonderful. Again maybe it was just too busy when I was there.

I think I will change hospital as I think phsycologically it won;t be great if I go back to Kingston

I had DS there, Christmas 2006. The care I received was great, even though they were really stretched. I had to labour on an ante-natal ward as they didn't have any labour rooms free (it was really busy) but I had a midwife with me the whole time as DS was back-to-back and I was in agony.

I had to wait 3 hours for an epidural, but I did get one, and top-ups on time. The midwifery care was excellent, and even tho I had a ventouse, then forceps delivery with an episiotomy it was fine. The only dodgy part was that the doctor had to rush off to do another assisted delivery and I had to wait 20 mins in stirrups before I was stitched up.

The breast feeding support was fine, and although I had real trouble (it later transpired that DS's jaw had been pushed out of alignment so he couldn't latch), there were lots of Healthcare Assistants there to help support the midwives.

I've heard so many horrible stories about other hospitals in the area (my friend gave birth in the corridor in Winchester, another friend had appalling treatment at the Royal Berkshire) that I'm really glad I gave birth at the Royal Surrey. I'm pregnant again and fully intend to go there this time round too.

Hope this helps. x

P.S. I didn't give birth in the ante-natal ward, I was in a labour room within 3 hours...

I had my son by emergency c-section in aug 2006 and a natural birth this september. In 2006, although the midwives were good the after care was ok, but one midwife wouldn't hand me my baby on day 1 saying I should let him 'cry it out a little'. I was in floods of tears. That was just one woman though. Breastfeeding help was a little shocking - she just grabbed my boob and shoved it in his mouth and said 'there you go'. I was discharged after two days - they needed the bed as it was so busy. I couldn't wait to get out.

Anyway, this time round - 21 september 2008 -Unbeliveable ! I cannot sing their praises enough. The midwives were so caring and reassuring and I felt so safe and comforted as if it was my own Mother caring for me. They repeatedly got the anaesthetist to check me out as the epidural didn't work. I received loads of reassurance and even a hug at the end of it ! They gave me space and let me get to know my little girl and the night staff were equally amazing. So caring and reassuring. Lovely experience

It wasn't busy though. You need a bit of luck.

Thanks Ladies. Your experiences are so interesting especially how it can be very different at the same hospital. I think it must be down to luck. I just pray there isn;t a crazy baby boom on for when this little bean is born .

thanks again for sharing

had my dd1 there in 2006 and ds2 in aug and i thought they where fantastic!! I even wrote to them to say thank you as i dont think they get enough praise as you only hear about the complaints. I also found it very clean and there was a cleaner on our ward twice a day without fail. Mid wifes all very friendly and helpful only complaint was the food!!!