Positive birth tales from C&W?

[rollerbaby]

Hello I'm booked in for (NHS) C&W... have heard lots of bad things and not too many good! Can you share your experiences with a nervous first time mum?

Hi Honeymoo, I had my DS at C&W (NHS) nearly 3 years ago and I thought the treatment I received was good! They were very busy at the time, but I still got an epidural when I asked for one. I stayed in for 5 days and though staying in hospital is never a picnic, it was fine and the midwives were helpful. I think the key thing at any big hospital is that you do have to speak up and ask if you need something, especially at busy times. I hate being pushy so I found that a bit unnerving, but got what I needed. Overall, I'd definitely choose C&W again if I still lived in the area.

I had DS1 there four years ago and had no problems. Would not rave about it but honestly would definitely have gone back there if we hadn't moved areas. The only thing I was not really happy with was the night midwives who were trying to help me with breastfeeding but were very matter of fact and not very sympathetic. But midwife who delivered DS1 was great.

Had twins two years later in Winchester and whole time in hospital was much nicer, but I really do think it was only because I was given my own private room as I had twins.

My friend had her baby there. Had a cs, but because her baby was enormous (biggest they'd ever seen in fact), nothing to do with care or unnecessary intervention. She speaks very highly of the care she received.

Had a baby there about a week ago. I thought they were excellent. Really on the ball, helpful midwives who listened when I spoke. Afterwards the care was great. It was quite late when I got to the ward (nice unhurried time in labour room, loooooooooong blissful shower), I mentioned I was hungry and they sent down for a snack box for me. Ward midwife sorted out DS in the bed with me so we could snuggle.

Next morning when the day midwife came around to introduce herself I let her know that I wanted to go home by lunchtime. They arranged for DS to see the paediatrician asap, and we checked out after a (quite nice actually) lunch. Breakfast was a shocker though, tea and toast do not a breakfast make IMO. That was OK though I got DH to stop at Carluccios on the way in.

Very positive experience. Worth mentioning though that I had an easy birth and DH and I are very very clear on what we want and have researched so know all the terms for things and are quite happy to refuse interventions etc. I also use hypnobirthing so am very calm and able to make demands throughout.

Don't be afraid to tell people what you need, squeaky wheels and all that.

This is all definitely very reassuring. I've got a long while yet, but worrying about everything already! Morloth, do you mind me asking how far you were dilated when you went in? I've also heard that if they deem you not to be in proper established labour (and therefore not put you on labour ward) they might send your OH home! Scary - I don't want mine going anywhere.

Am going to research all food offerings so Mr Moo can bring me all my favourite food!

Any other views? Much appreciated.

I had all 3 of mine there, last one almost a year ago. 1st was a bit of a nightmare (v long labour followed by emergency section), they left me alone for far too long and yes they sent my OH home for that very reason - although my contractions were every 2 to 3 mins I wasn't yet 3 cms, so supposedly not in established labour. It was an utterly awful experience and the after care was v patchy and grumpy.

Next two births (elective cs) were much much better, both in terms of the birth experience and after care - they seemed to have improved things hugely since my first. 2nd time DH wasn't there at all (long story) and they were just so so kind and understanding and brilliant, the midwives were just amazing. Most important thing is do not be afraid to ask for things and speak up if you have questions, do not let them send your DH away (why on earth did I let that happen first time????) They can be v busy and leave you and so you have to be fairly strong on asking for stuff and prime your DH to be strong and clear about what you want too. Daytime staff were always amazing. Night staff often a bit more grumpy and unhelpful.

C&W is a fantastic hospital. I just spent a little over a week in there with DD as she was v v ill and it reminded me how amazing they are and just how many fantastic doctors are there on hand when you need them (I have never seen so many consultants in one room - not to mention all the teams of registrars, students etc etc). If you are an interesting case in any way then suddenly you are swamped with more doctors than you can possibly imagine so be prepared as it's a teaching hospital(that's what happened with my first birth - hours on my own, then suddenly more doctors than you could shake a stick at - remember you can tell the extraneous ones i.e students etc, to go away).

I have private medical insurance and yet when I suddenly needed a major operation, it was NHS C&W that sorted me out - I was admitted within a couple of hours after problem discovered and when DD became so ill recently I was straight into NHS C&W (for future reference remember they have a dedicated paediatric A&E). In neither case did I have time to sort anything out privately and they were there for us and utterly utterly amazing. You can be sure that you and the baby are in safe hands there.

I have two friends who have had good experiences and have both gone back there for their second babies.

Not dilated at all, we only went in because there was meconium in my waters when they broke at home. So stayed there for the whole thing, I would have preferred to stay at home as I have very long labours and don't like to be hurried, but wasn't going to mess around and risk DS aspirating the poo.

Was there for about 14hrs before DS was born, we were asked if we wanted the synto drip a couple of times but as DS's heart rate was fine (I sat down for a half hour here and there to allow monitoring, but mostly up and moving). We did finally accept the drip after 12hrs and it was still moving very slowly. 2hrs later and he was out after about 10mins pushing.

If your labour is not advanced enough that they think your DH isn't needed then you could probably both go home?

Had DC1 there (ELCS) 11 years ago. Yep, the ward (six bed area) afterwards was a bit noisy, one of the MWs was a bit grumpy, and the bathrooms weren't brilliant (especially compared to my private one when I had DC2 abroad - but that's hardly likely) but on the whole I give them a thumbs up. They agreed to an ELCS (various reasons), the medical staff and most MWs were very nice (I even got an 'escape' for a coffee downstairs with a friend whilst baby looked after). Just generally a very positive if not gold-plated experience. I sent them a donation afterwards. At the time they emphasised that you could have an epidural/waterbirth etc if at all possible. They were (are?) also very conservative re forceps use. Of course this was all before the recent rise in the birth rate, particularly in London, which has probably put a lot of pressure on hospitals.