Experiences of deliveries in Brighton and Eastbourne

[Aliway]

Am moving to the area and want some opinions on the Royal Sussex Hospital and or Eastbourne District Hospital, and peoples experiences there of the staff, management and care they received during labour. Thanks in advance

I had dd in EDGH and found the care during my labour was great. Was really happy with the midwife and the way that everything was handled.

sorryI'm in a rush at the mo - will post in more detail later!

DS (5) was born at home but I went in to RSCH to have the retained placenta removed and spent a night in a single room. The RSCH team are lovely and they encouraged and supported me in my choice of an active birth for DD (17m) - the pool is great - but the aftercare is pretty rubbish to be honest. I spent the night on the ward with her. Try and go for an amemity bed/single room if you can, the £40 is well worth it.

Thanks heaps ladies, I had a fantastic experience with ds 1 at our local DGH and am freaking out a bit. I'm not too worried about the after care just very good intrapartum management sounds promising and reassuring so far.

I had ds (2.5) at RSCH and had a very good experience, had a student midwife who stayed with me and partner throughout. I was also lucky as the pool was available (there is only one!).
I would agree however that the aftercare wasn't as good and I would recommend a private room if you happen to be in a busy ward after wards. I stayed for 3 nights in the private room so do ask if you want one.
Good Luck!

RSCH were great with me - DH was late and they got a student MW to come to support me, totally accepted my views on position, even had to monitor baby but they didn't make me lie down. Aftercare was fine. Was there for 2 days and had stitching in theatre.
Only complaint would be not enough MWs on the post-natal ward - of course.

I had DD at RSCH but only really got there in time to start pushing so no experience of their care during labour. I found the aftercare a bit lacking too- I had no help with BFing, for example.

Don't know if you know but there is a midwife-led birthing unit in Crowborough. I had all my antenatal care there with DD and was planning to give birth there. It's a lovely unit and might be an option for you if you're not going to be too far from there. (It's near Uckfield, a few miles north of Eastbourne).

Had ds at RSH. Due to 'high risk', had to be induced, which took ages, so ended up spending 3 days on the delivery ward. The staff were great, really respectful and friendly and attention was always given to my personal wishes/concerns. I thought the after care wasn't bad- the ward looks a bit shabby (ie. hasn't had much money spent on it in years), but was clean. I got loads of bf support- mw found me awake and worrying about it at 2am, so got at bf specialist nurse to come and see my straight away. All in all, it was a positive experience, and I was in for 7 days in total, so I had plenty of opportunity to get the hump with it!

However, it is worth pointing out- ds was obviously born at a quiet time (the bed next to me was occupied only once in 4 days on the pn ward). It might have been a completely different story if the staff had been looking after more women.

No direct experience but have only heard good things from friends who gave birth in both places.