Derriford hospital-Plymouth

[Mouseybrown]

Just wondering if anyone has any recent experience of giving birth at Derriford?

Any tips and does anyone know if they have private rooms available?

Thanks

Not recent but October 2007. I was very well looked after in delivery where I was induced. Had an epidural and this happened very quickly after being requested. I was completely numb and immobile so they don't appear to have the mobile epis I've heard about at other hospitals.

Postnatal was extremely busy and I was sent home with a sleepy, jaundiced baby who wasn't feeding properly. No individual to blame but they were rushed off their feet. No idea about private rooms but it was so busy when I was there I doubt it would have been possible. Have you asked your MW?

So the birth itself was good but postnatal was poor in terms of bf support. They have been making efforts to improve so hopefully it will be better by the time you are there.

I'm planning a home birth this time.

Thanks for replying!

Looks like there aren't very many folks from Plymouth around, worth a try though!

No problem. I don't know anyone who has had a really bad experience at Derriford. It's just really busy.

Good luck with your birth. We're not exactly spoilt for choice when it comes to childbirth around here.

i gave birth in Derriford to my 3rd DD in dec 2008. The midwife I had was lovely, attentive and was with me from start to finish. I was allowed to stay in the same room all day which was good.

My memories and feelings about the birth are all positive, although there are things that I could complain about. I asked for a ball to bounce on, they couldn't find it. I requested a water birth (even before going in) but didn't get it and although I should have been next in line, for some reason the next person got it! I wanted to give birth kneeling, but ended up on my back having been examined and then not being able to turn back round. I would have preferred being on the floor with bean bags but not an option there I felt!

Having given birth to my first 2 dds in another part of the country, with a far more natural approach, I felt that Derriford was more medical.

In fact they seemed shocked that I wished to go home as soon as I could after the birth, and that I did not want to stay overnight (baby was born at 1.50pm) but they did not try and stop me and I think they were grateful as they were busy.

Overall, I found the midwife I had fabulous, the senior midwife rather terrifying, but I came away with a beautiful healthy baby so I can't complain. No complications with me or her, so I was lucky.

I don't know if any of that is of any use to you, but all the best.

Oh and I am not sure about private rooms. I laboured in the same room all day, which shared a toilet with the adjacent room.

HTH