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Original poster

informed choices!!

9 replies

feefathome · 25/01/2010 15:47

I'm new to Somerset and have just found out I'm pregnant and need to make a choice about which hospital to be attached to. My choices are Taunton, Yeovil and Bath. Does anybody have any views or experiences which might help me? I would prefer as little intervention as possible during pregnancy and labout, this is my fourth child and the other 3 were uncomplicated pregnancies and labours.

OP posts:
catbus · 30/01/2010 13:19

Hi there!

Bath RUH is pretty good. I too have had 3, and the first ended up being in hospital at the RUH as homebirth didn't go according to plan; mind you we were on a boat and space was at a premium!! It was fine there; I just don't like hospitals! But I hear other people have had good birth experiences there.
Anyway, am also due #4, and planning another homebirth; last 2 kids were successful HB's. If you haven't had any previous complications, have you not considered doing it at home? The mw's have always been lovely and very minimal invasion. Good luck!

MrsGokWantsatidyhouse · 30/01/2010 13:41

My first DC was born in RUH 8 years ago and I had a horrible time there. The midwives and assistants didn't have any time postnataly to help me at all. They would not believe I was in active labour as it was 'to soon, it's your first, it will be tomorrow before anything happens, stop moaning'and I nearly gave birth on my own in the bathroom. No one came to the emergancy bell. My husband had to beg the receptionist in the end to go and check on me because the midwives wouldn't. They wouldn't let me move around in the labour room and I had to be on my back while delivering, I swear this slowed down my delivery as I was very dilated when they took me down. The midwife was very snipey with me and kept telling me off for making to much noise and the list goes on.

Hopefully things have improved in the 8 years since I have been there, I would hope so.

catbus · 30/01/2010 14:48

Christ MrsGok..that sounds bloody horrific!!
Mine was 11 years ago there; but thinking about it, maybe I was lucky because it wasn't a planned hospital delivery, and my community midwife team kept me safe and sound; the same team that subsequently delivered my last 2. Mind you the woman attached to the RUH that stitched me was a real bitch; funny the things you can forget.
So, OP, I might not be right about the RUH! I think I was very lucky..

MogTheForgetfulCat · 30/01/2010 22:21

I had DS2 in the RUH (only just - he was born about 30 minutes after I got there - could have stayed at home!) in 2008, was fine! Midwife was lovely, didn't feel abandoned even though it was v busy.

Did have a bit of a having a 3-hour discharge afterwards, though - but strongly suspect that was because I'd had a v straightforward labour and he was my second - labour ward was v busy and think they were trying to keep beds for first-time mums, which is fair enough. They made me tea and toast before kicking me out, though

dillinger · 01/02/2010 15:55

Ive had both of mine at Bath RUH, my 1st was a very long labour, started as a home birth but then went to hosp as my son was quite stuck! Was well looked after, especially in theatre and with regards to aftercare following the birth.

Had my daughter there 2 years ago, had a midwife with me throughout and felt looked after again - I dont like hospitals particularly but if I was to have another baby I wouldnt have a problem with going to the RUH again.

fluffydog · 01/02/2010 21:30

I had my son at the RUH and wouldn't go there again. Gave birth in the assessment ward still in my clothes I turned up in. Was told when we arrived that they would be back in 20 minutes to check on me, 40 minutes later my DH had to go and find a midwife a s I was ready to push. They were very worried as they had not done any checks and were worried that DS was coming very quickly. Unfortunately they didn't have any monitoring on DS - thankfully he was fine but with every contraction they snipped me (with no pain relief at all - didn't have time apparently)to get him out quickly and so I ended up with 3rd degree tear. Couldn't wait to get home! to the care of midwives I had got to know. If have anymore will consider a home birth or going somewhere else. But that is just my view - I have friends who had good care at the RUH. I think it depends on the staff on duty and how busy they are.

Zazacat · 02/02/2010 18:44

I've had two good births at RUH, but was part of the domino/ team system as live in Bath, so had a midwife visit me at home when I phoned to say Iwas in labour, and then they met me at hospital and stayed with me all the way through. I was able use a birthing pool with my second dd, which was brilliant and helped no end. with the first birth they were great on the ward too...second time round they were't interested. I think with ruh it's worth finding out how their staffing levels are currently!! My sister wasn't able to have an epidural when she would have liked one, because they had no-one free to administer it. Fortunately, her labour speeded up and her little boy popped out pretty soon after!

sazzerbear · 07/02/2010 14:53

Not good expereince of RUH, was due to give birth at local community hospital but had complications so taken to Bath. Very short-staffed and lack of very basic care, luckily I was in less that 24 hours and soon back to community hospital.

matildarosepink · 06/04/2010 15:01

Feefathome, see my message posted on the Bath Hospitals thread. Do get in touch if you'd like to know more. Good luck! x

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