Medway Maritime Hospital

[Kwini]

Any experiences, good or bad, of their maternity unit? And is there anyone in the Medway area who can recommend a good Midwife-Led Unit?

Go to Maidstone.

Care to expand on that, NewAmazing?

Sorry, think I understand now - did you mean for the MLU?

I had to go to the Medway a few timesfor pregnancy related things (different pregnancies) and it wasn't a great experience except for one time. Just my opinion and clearly I am biased.

Canterbury have a MLU, medway are going to have one by the end of the year. Darenth valley has a MLU I've heard good things about.
The community midwives in medway a great (where in Medway are you?)so much so that I've stayed with my midwives despite moving to maidstone in Nov. Then again I'm planning my second HB si I'm not so concerned about hospitals. ds1 was born in MMH 3 years ago and I found them fine - although I did have to get bolshy about certain things but I'd been well prepared by afore-mentioned midwives (Mary Hall and Henny Hobbs)who run an antenatal drop-in at All Saints children's centre if you are anywhere near there.
HTH

Also,
If you are planning on BF can I suggest finding out about the local support groups (there should be a postcard in antenatal clinc) and getting in touch with a peer supporter.

Thanks, Wisknit!

Very early days yet. We're thinking about moving to Rochester, so I'm planning ahead just in case. At the moment our nearest MLU is at Poole (Haven Suite), which has had amazing reviews - shame the timing would be off if we did move.

It was hard to tell from the Darrent and Medway sites if and when an MLU was going to be introduced - I read somewhere that a local council has rejected a proposal for one of them

Presumably Canterbury is a bit far?

Also, does anyone have any experience of taking an independent midwife into a hospital for the labour?

I've had two at the Medway. MWs are FANTASTIC but I didn't like the nurses for some reason! The communtiy MWs are also fabulous, especially mine. I really miss her! HVs are less good though. I haven't even got one, not that it bothers me too much.

canterbury could be a bit of a trek, yes. Darenth definitely have one and it isn't too far. I went to a maternity matters meeting thing in september and medway are meant to have one by the end of the year.
I don't know about IMs but would you consider a HB in that case? I suppose they would have to do all the 'intent to practice' froms etc?

I'd consider a HB, but DP won't have it! I'm happy to meet him halfway, though - hence the attraction of an MLU.

Gld to hear that Darrent definitely have one and that Medway are due one, too...

I think it is part of the 'maternity Matters' paper the goverment brought out (year before last?). They have to provide the choice between the 3 - HB, MLU & hospital consultant led unit.
Maidstone are losing their maternity unit btw.
If you would like an HB it is so worth it...never stop pestering your dp. My dh was anti but I worked him round.

And (BF again) there is a really nice LLL group in Rochester.

"Maidstone are losing their maternity unit btw."

No!!!!!!!!

Ooh, nice to know about the pleasant LLL group in Rochester (erm, being a bit slow...what does LLL stand for?)

I love the idea of HB in theory, but would never ever forgive myself if something went wrong. Heard a shocking story recently about a breech baby who got stuck during a homebirth...the body was out, but the head still inside mum...they were rushed to hospital but the baby was asphixiated on the way and couldn't be revived

la leche league.

Maidstone have a fab maternity unit. No firm plans t close at present.

Pembury also very women centred.

Thanks, lia!

Maidstone is definitely closing was the local newspaper's line a few weeks ago. But maybe they are just scare-mongering?
Pembury a bit of a trek from Medway.

Sorry can I clarify:
There will still be a MLU but the consultant led unit will move to Pembury.

yes they are closing but no date has been given. Friend who's just booked with them has been told, "don't worry you'll have your baby here, " she's about 9 wks at mo.

I know - I'm goin along for a scan on wednesday. I was just saying that they are closing at some point.

I realised that after posting,

my youngest is 20mths now and they have been saying they're closing since before her conception. I don't mind so long as they stay open till i'm finished with them.

Maidstone might not be around in time for me, then - rats! Out of interest, if there's an MLU but no CLU...what happens if something goes wrong? Or does the CLU preclude a normal maternity ward?

Currently it sounds as if Maidstone MLU is top choice...followed by Darrent MLU and Medway, when it gets one.

Kwini

at the moment, Maidstone has a normal maternity unit. Plans are for the future for it to be a MLU in which case other cases will be transferred to Pembury as first choice so my mw tells me.

In an emergency you would have to be rushed to Medway or Pembury. How crap is that.
Gopefully it should be around for a while and by the time they've finalised dates they'll probably have realised it's a stupid idea and won't after all.