Any recent post natal experiences from C&W?

[varmit]

I'd love to hear from anyone who has recently given birth at the Chelsea & Westminster hospital. I am booked in for an elective c section in April. I had an EMCS back in 2007, and found the post natal care was really pretty bad. My consultant, Zoe Penn, assures me that they have made loads of improvements and that it will a much better experience this time. I'm not convinced and as they are advising me to stay in for several days, I'm worried! Would love a private room on the Kensington Wing, but sadly we haven't won the lottery yet, so £1000 a night is way out of our reach!

I had the most brilliant experience there in May. I had to be induced and then had PPH so was in for nearly a week. The care was brilliant, everyone was lovely and helpful and I have to say what could have been quite a traumatic birth, 2 day labour, 10lb baby, 3 litre PPH, transfusions etc was actually a really amazing and special time. It helps that I have a particularly charming DH! Who all the midwives loved, but it really did help! You get what you give, if you know what I mean. I remember at one stage him going round handing out minstrels!!! I have been back a couple of times since with my baby to visit and had friends who have been in since and had good experiences.

I was expecting the worst - because of all the bad reports there have been - and was really surprised. The only negative I had was one agency midwife in the middle of one of the nights who was bit unpleasant, but she was gone after one night. I do think it is the agency midwives you have to watch out for rather than the permanent members of staff.

Cleaners were not great, have to say only remember one sweep round my bed the whole time I was there!! So lots of anti bac wipes and gel. Bathrooms were clean though! And you can time your visits with when they have just been cleaned.

Food was terrible, but luckily carluccios and Hache do take aways and my DH would bring it in!

If you have any specific questions just ask.
Good luck.

That's good to hear! From my experience it was definitely the night staff that were the grumpiest! Maybe things are much improved now then, which is a relief. I'm not expecting anything too wondrous though, probably best to keep fairly low expectations and then hopefully be pleasantly surprised. I'll prime DH to come armed with sweeties too, it obviously helped you!
Do you happen to know what the policy is for allowing children on the ward to visit? I suspect my DS won't be able to come and see me, and if I'm going to be in for nearly a week, that will be tough. I guess I can always leave the ward and sit in the cafe downstairs, in my pyjamas and slippers, babe in arms!

Reading with interest as I am also having elective section there in April. Had a similar experience with night staff and cleanliness back in 2008.
I think children are allowed to visit- the women in the next bed to me last time had her toddler visiting

Hi rightsaidfred, i remember you from an earlier post when we were both having our nuchal's done around the same time. How's it going? Do you have your date for c section?
My EDD is the 20th but section booked for 12th. Quite weird knowing exactly when the baby's going to be delivered!

Hope all good with you anyway. You never know, we might be ward buddies!

We did the tour a couple of weeks ago and were told that siblings could visit. I have heard that the food is vile, but there really are so many lovely cafes around there that it probably doesn't matter.

I am hoping to be in and out in any case.

Children definitely allowed to visit, if they are siblings, but I think only at certain visiting times, some times are restricted to partners only.

Hi varmit. I do remember you. I am booked in for the 7th (39 weeks exactly) so- without sounding unfriendly- but hopefully will be long gone before you arrive!!!
I was given a choice of dates and that seems really odd- effectively choosing your child's birthday.

Great to know that siblings are allowed to visit, I hope he doesn't try and bounce on the bed though!

Good luck rightsaidfred, hope it all goes well for you and you are long gone before I arrive. It would be interesting to hear how you found the whole experience when it's over....

Looks like DH will be sent off for lots of takeaways, there's a Starbucks below the hospital, so at least I can place a regular order for a latte and a nice plump muffin! Essential for breastfeeding!!

Carluccios' coffee much nicer than Starbucks. Especially the mochas. I feel this is an important birth tip...

I had an elective there back in April (so not that recent) - the elective itself was a fantastic experience. I have had 3 sections at C&W (2005, 2007, 2009) and the post natal experience on the wards has been fairly grotty all 3 times, although it has been better each time and also I have been a bit more demanding. Little things like asking them to put you in a bay by the window (if there happens to be one free) makes a huge difference as there is a fair bit more room, nicer to have natural light and it's quieter to be away from the nurses station. With no.2 there was a bay free so they put me straight there, with no.3 there wasn't, but I got them to move me as soon as someone left! Be pushy - use that call button!! The night staff were still really grumpy but I just made them do stuff (i.e. the catheter is allowed to be removed after 12 hours which for me fell around 11pm, they said I could wait until morning, I said no way, I want it out NOW - so they did). Make them give you assistance if you need it.

Siblings definitely allowed in (both my older 2 came in every day to see me), but only during general visiting hours and obviously it is kind to others if you can keep them fairly calm and quiet etc.

Hi, I am booked in for an elective next Wednesday (24th) at C&W at 39 weeks plus 2 days. I also have Zoe Penn as a consultant and have really liked her straightforward manner. I have heard that its a bit better there than a couple of years ago, but a midwife friend who also works at the hospital told me to have my DH primed regarding things like getting the catheter out and getting help when I need it. Must admit am dreading the post natal bit much more than the elective and didnt like the 'open plan' feel of the place when I went for the ward tour. Taking a box of chocolates to hand round is definitely a good tip!

Good advice re the catheter. Last time I ended up with a really nasty bladder infection in the middle of the night, and a pretty hopeless nurse who told me they had to send a urine sample off to the lab before they could diagnose it. I finally got the doctor on duty to take me seriously and do a dip stick test and prescribe me antibiotics. I will definitely be more aware of how long the catheter's been in this time. Especially after hearing about a woman recently who's bag wasn't emptied and became overfull, which resulted in her becoming incontinent (temporarily I think).

emmaecb - Please come back and let us know how you got on, when you can!