Southern general hospital or Princess Royal to give birth?

[ilikeyoursleeves]

I am pg with my third baby & I have the choice of going to the sgh or the prm. My previous 2 births were at the Queen Mums.

Can I ask about your experiences at either hospital so I can try to decide what one to go to? They are both the same distance away. Thanks!

I was at the Royal. It was grim. Very very understaffed- so much so that they 'forgot' we were there.
There were junkie mums in at the same time as me. Poor babies.

I'd never go back. I actually don't think I can ever have another child as I think I'm mentally scarred for life.

I'm sure someone else would recommend it but I'd stay far far away.

The general consensus on a previous thread on here about the Southern was good. Most people told good stories.

I had a section there and felt they were just really understaffed. My baby was in special care and there was noone available to take me down to see him, my husband had to go home with our other kids. Staff told me that noone could wheel me down and there was no way I could have walked. Especially as I wasn't even 24 hours after the section. I was with him for the first hour after he was born and then waited about 14 hours to see him again. Basically until my husband came back the following morning to take me to him.

From what I can remember I was trying to empy my cathetar bag myself in the toilet when I was not that steady on my feet. Think I was advised to do this by the staff, anyhow my bag was permenantly full.

Anyhow, think I am an unsual case and think I was just extremely unlucky. I have also had babies at the Queen Mum's and would rate the Southern on the same level as the Queen Mums.

As I said I am sure quite a few other people have rated the Southern quite highly.

That's a real shame Tricky.

I've had two very positive experiences at the SGH. Also had special care experience (in the old unit) which was fab given the circumstances.

Did notice with DC2 last year how much busier the whole place was. Can't praise the delivery staff enough though. Staff on post-natal stretched to say the least. Bit like a patient conveyer belt when I was in, but they did what they could with limited time.

Had a similar catheter issue. Waited ages for someone to empty it before someone finally told me to empty it myself! Got the hang of it pretty quickly though.

Good luck with whatever you decide.
Incidentally, my close friend had hers at PRMH and had great treatment there too. HTH

I was in the southern. I had a brilliant midwife. I think I was lucky with it not being too busy compared to what others have experienced. Overall v happy with my care there.

i delivered in the southern(induced, ended up forceps delivery for the curious)
i found it to be just fine. this was my first. was treated well, got drugs as required, they helped me with my breastfeeding too, think my midwife was kirsty, she was fantastic.
i have hears alot of bad stories from the royal as above, mostly under staffing, junkie neighbours and all their offerings with scummy realtives, bad meal facilities(you leave the baby in the cot by your bed and go into another room to eat) and the parking is vvv expensive(as opposed to sgh whos parking is almost non existant!
i guess every hospital has its scare stories to offer. i have to reccomend the sgh based on my own good experience. good luck!

I had my DS in the royal and it was very good, ended up with my own room, yes the food is shite but aren't they in all hospitals? MY DH brought me food parcels. The midwives were lovely in my experience. But yes, some of the mums's are rougher there - bound to be given the catchment area of the hospitals, but if you're not snobby about it, it's fine. none of them made any difference to me...

Thanks all, I've decided to go to the sgh, mainly because it's newer & the facilities look good. My best friend also works at the sgh so I'm also selfishly thinking she could come visit me right after the birth on her tea break lol.