Birth Experiences In Hackney

[jumblequeen]

Hello All,

I'm weighing up my options - fancy sharing your experiences? I'm a bit scared of Homerton hospital(!) and am thinking something midwife led might be better. It's my first child so I'm totally open really...

Hi there, I had a homebirth which I had to fight for (because of flat layout) but turned out really well in the end, midwives were great. Would you consider that? They came really quickly as I went into labour way faster than expected. I too was unsure of Homerton hospital but I also know people who've had good experiences there (especially in the birthing pool) so I wouldn't rule it out completely. Postnatal ward not great (I had to go there after homebirth for some spurious reason), but think that's the experience in lots of hospitals not just Homerton....

spotofcheerfulness - what lovely advice. I think I would love to give birth at home, thinking about it. As it hapeens, I'm about 2 minutes from Homerton Hospital so could be there really easily if anything were to go wrong.

Thank you

Hi Jumblequeen,I can echo what spot says, I had a homebirth too and it was great. Midwifes were superb and really supportive. I had a few complications in pregnancy and found Homerton to be really good too. Have had friends who have good experiences. I had heard that it wasn't great and felt slighlt unsure about going there but was completely reassured by the treatment and help I received from the DRs and nurses there. I am also only a few minutes from Homerton so felt reassured at being so close to hospital if anything went wrong. I think they are building a midwife led unit at the moment, when are you due? It might be open by the time you are giving birth..

hackneyzoo - thank you for the (once again, very lovely) advice. I really like the idea of being able to climb into my own bed after the birth so am very much considering this... On the other hand, I think that I'd love a water birth but I'm not sure if I could do that at home! I'm moments away from Homerton as well (Glenarm Road) so it's good to know that women have had good experiences there and a midwife led unit would be even better. The truth is, I'm getting far, far ahead of myself as I can't even test until next week! As it's my first time, I suppose I'm just getting wrapped up in it all....

Good luck with the test, hope you get a BFP!

Aw, thank you!

You all give great advice! I had all my 3 babies in hospital (1st in France, dreadful, and next two at St Mary's, pretty awful) and regret it - wish I'd had home births and also wish I'd had a water birth. Water SUCH a painkiller, didn't realise til I had a bath at the hospital with the 3rd and when I got out my contractions were wild - hadn't felt any in water at all. On the other hand, have heard good things about Homerton, so nothing to be scared of there I think. But midwife-led births are best, I think, it's so important to feel listened to and understood, makes all the difference. Has anyone read my Baby Development post and do you know anyone who is about to give birth and might be interested? Thanks...

Hi All,

Definitely up for a water birth. I'm totally addicted to baths as it is and always find water to be a great healer. I got a very faint BFP this morning - still not convinced it can be real, mind

Congratulations Jumblequeen, a BFP is a BFP! They have a birthing pool at the Homerton! You are welcome to have our one if you decide for a HB and don't want to fork out for a new one...I was given it by a lovely lady on free cycle who never got to use it in the end

hackneyzoo - that's so generous of you!
I feel like my head is spinning at the moment but I may well take you up on that... (I love freecycle!) I think there would be something really special about giving birth at home.

Not sure if anyone is still following this thread but does anyone know of a birthing centre in/near Hackney? I've searched the net and have got myself very confused! I'm still leaning towards a home birth but would like to weigh up my options...

Hi there, there's the Barkentine Birth centre on the Isle of Dogs. Supposed to be very good, however as you're in Hackney you'll probably be second-in-line if you know what I mean. Its meant for Tower Hamlets but I know of one or 2 Hackney people who have managed to get in there. Its also quite far from the nearest hospital. I had my baby in Homerton in April, due to some complications in pregnancy I couldn't have a home birth and then had planned on the pool at homerton. They do actually already have a midwife led unit at Homerton right next door to the delivery suites and also they are rebuilding the whole unit so it should be much nicer. I ended up not being able to use the birthing pool/midwife unit as when my waters broke there was meconium in it, so I had to go into the full-on delivery suite. The midwives were really good, especially the lady who ended up delivering my baby naturally after docs were thinking I would need an emergency c-section. I really think the midwife helped me through it and was super encouraging and knew I didn't want a c-section and did all she could to get her out naturally. I have to say that the ward, though bearable, was pretty pants. Hopefully you won't have to stay there too long. My friend who was in there a week before me didn't mind it though. It was just really very busy in there the day I had my baby (Hackney baby boom!). I suggest you go on the tour they do of the facilities at Homerton as part of the Ante-natal classes there. We took an iPod and speakers with a 'labour mix' of favourite music and that really was nice!

Good luck with the pregnancy, and your birth plans.. . water birth sounds great, but do keep an open mind... you never know what happens as things progress! I found Homerton fine. and excellent if something goes wrong and you need emergency care for the baby. (which of course is highly unlikely).

Actually I was going to westminster hospital for antenatal until one of the midwives told me homerton was better, and had a really good reputation.

but the main thing for me was you must have someone really good and sensible, and up for the task there with you. In my case, DP wasn't quite up to the job, even though he wanted to be there...and I wanted him there. next time I would also have a girlfriend or my mum there also, or even in preference if you can only have one companion.

Hiya jumblequeen! You're not far from me (Clapton Pond)

Most of the midwives at Homerton I found to be really good - except the one I had at my actual birth, who was a total bitch seemed to be straight outta the 50s, but I know someone else who had her and liked her.

The labour ward at Homerton has two sections - one that is midwife-led and one that is the more medical approach. My birth was high risk so I had no choice in the end so I can't tell you what the midwife-led one was like.

I must say that my ante-natal care in Homerton was excellent though. The equipment they used was the latest (e.g. the scanning equipment) and they picked up on a potential problem that I believe some other hospitals might have missed.

All the staff I met were brilliant, especially those I dealt with when the potential problems were discovered.

The ward afterwards is a bit pants, yes! But totally bearable. It's hospital!

It's worth going to the hospital ante-natal session where they show you round the wards. Go in to the ante-natal bit and ask for their timetable for ante natal classes. They run 4 sessions on a drop-in basis. You don't need to go to all the sessions - just turn up for the tour if you like.

Speaking of which - are you going to any ante natal classes? I can recommend a really good one in Hackney if you like? It was great for discussing these kinds of questions, and also for meeting other local parents. We still meet up with them - and their babies - a year on.

Hi

Its great to hear positive stories about the Homerton. My experience to date, i'm 34+4, had been excellant (although i may be bias as we concieved in the fertility clinic there ) Due mid feb and really hoping the new birth suite is open as am currently hoping to have a midwife led to delievery and use the pool

Homerton's fab - honestly I had a daftly long haul birth, with sadly much needed intervention and I couldn't have wished for better people. Go for home birth if it works, but if the birth needs you to skip to Homerton then don't worry, they do look after you really well.

I didnt have a positive experience with Homerton at all - rough handling, a misdiagnosis and staff that didnt explain things to me, so I have switched to University College Hospital in Euston. As it is a teaching hospital I have been lucky enough to have some of the leading edge tests and treatments available to me. It's brand new and the Bloomsbury birth centre comes highly recommended. The staff are excellent, I have been really impressed so far.

Hello i had a fab time at hommerton , i was the only person in the midwife led unit and got to use the birth pool which was fab!! I had loads of support generally about 4 members of staff with me ( although this was probably as it was quiet when i was in) the midwifes were lovely !! lowrib which midwife did you have??
I was adamant that i didn't want to stay on the ward but i did and it was fine! The foods not the best but your family can bring things in for you!! I ended up needing an emergency blood transfusion a few days after giving birth ( i had to stay in due to my daughter having jaundice ) and the staff were fantastic during this!! During my stay at hommerton i found everyone to be really caring and supportive! toriMc im sorry you didn't have a good time!!
Hope this helps a little
xx

I have heard that if you go along to Barkentine and ask they will let you in especially if its close to the time. I have also heard of people who have taken themselves off to hossie in chelsea and had the baby there. As far as I know despite booking you in to have a baby somewhere you are not obliged to have it there and can admit yourself to a different hospital just tell them you were in the area when you went into labour!

WOW - haven't checked back on this thread for ages and now look! So glad to hear the good experiences... I've now got my heart set on the new unit that's supposed to be finished soon so they had better get building, frankly!

misssese the midwife I really didn't get on with was called Ivy. The lack of communication was the thing I found hardest to deal with, with her. I tried to do things I'd learnt at ante-natal like positions other than being on my back. (Especially important as the bloody epidural didn't work so I was in agony!) She kept saying 'no that's bad' but she wouldn't enter into a discussion with me about why.

She just wanted me on my back with continuous monitoring, but wouldn't discuss whether it was really necessary or not with me. (The previous midwife had said it was not necessary)

I could have coped with it if she'd said "yes I know all about active labour, but actually in your case it is actually better for you to be on your back, painful though that may be" but as she wouldn't engage in conversation with me I assume actually she's never heard of active labour, and was from the old-school.

In fact she spent much of my labour with her back to me, writing sheets and sheets of notes.

Also, she barked instructions at me. At one point, my DP had to ask her not to shout.

It's a shame because all the other midwives I met were lovely.

Ivy looked after me at the beginning of my labour too. I found her to be cold and abrupt.
I didn't have a good experience at the Homerton unfortunately - however, having spoken to many mums in my local area I am certainly in the minority, so good luck!

Gosh lowrib and Newmanicmum she sounds like a right BITCH you poor things! That is defiantly not what you need during labour i really feel for you both! I hope this hasn't put you off anymore children? I feel very lucky to have not had IVY!Did you make a complaint?
How old are your LO's? Mine is 3 months the time has flown by!

Wow, all so intersting! I am 33 weeks preganant and planning to have the baby at the Homerton. We went to have a look around the new suite and it looked brilliant! The midwife that took us round was great, friendly and up-beat. My husband and I have a doula coming with us, to give us both constant support (as first timers, we are a tad nervous). Doulas seem to be a great idea as they are not too expensive and they give you and your partner constant support. I'm actualty quite excited!!! Just need to finish house renovation and move back home!

You hear horror stories about Homerton and the entrance is pretty off-putting (scary old winos on drips smoking).

I had my girls there and my experience was largely positive. You have to come to terms with the fact it is hospital - crap food, nothing happens quickly. I guess your experience comes down to the midwives and the other mums you're sharing with which is the luck of the draw in most hospitals.

I heard the loos were disgusting (sanitary towels all over floor, etc) so came armed with my own antibacterial wipes (yes I am a completely anal cleaning mentalist!). The loos on the wards were fine, all perfectly clean. Again down to who you are sharing with.

I found a couple of the older midwives a bit gruff but lots of really helpful lovely ladies who I felt very grateful to. I had lots of problems in pregnancy and after the birth (babies in special care). You're in a great place if things go wrong, lots of specialist staff who know their stuff. Best of luck making your choice, it's worth having a good look around.