Giving Birth In Essex - Your Experiences

[ElvisLovesEssex]

I thought it might be helpful to other parents outlining what it's like to give birth in mid-Essex. So, if any of you are willing to share, that would be great.

Please include the following:
Where you gave birth.
When.
Brief outline of experience
Plus points
Negatives
Any other useful information e.g. parking costs (I only mention this as we ended up with a £76 parking fee when I had dd)

Thanks very much. Unfortunately, I can't actually add mine, as both my dcs were born in London. Though if anyone would like to hear about my experiences at St. Thomas', I am very happy to witter on share!

Well, this wasn't a very popular idea was it?

If anyone is willing to share their experiences, I still think this could be a useful resource, especially for first-time mums who have no idea what to expect.

I gave birth to my little boy September 2007 at St Peters Hospital in Maldon Essex. It does not cost to park at this hospital.

My contractions started when I was in bed on the Thursday evening. I woke my husband up as I was sooooo excitied and he tried to convince me to go back to sleep as they were v far apart, but I was just too excited - although I should of listened to him really!

On the Friday we called the hospital to let them know how things were going. Thankfully the weather was beautiful and we went for lots of long walks around Maldon and at Tiptree heath to try and help things along and also to take my mind off of it. We went into the hospital later that day and they said it was still too early so sent us home.

On the Saturday the contractions were getting stronger and faster, so much so that I lost track of the timing as I was concerntrating on what I was doing, but my hubby was kept the timings. We got to St Peters at about 1pm, They checked me over and I was 7cm's.

I wanted a water birth, so they filled the pool up whilst I was on the gas and air. The pool felt fantastic to get into. My midwife was fantastic, as she didnt interfere atall and let me get on with it. She gave me advice a few times on positions I might find better and I found it quite amusing that occasionally she put a mirror into the water to enable her to see what was going on down there!

She guided me through my contractions and I delivered my little boy about 2 hours later around 3pm in the pool.

They gave him a little air that he needed then put him straight onto me to hold - It was sooooo amazing! The midwife offered to take some pics with my camera of my hubby, me and our new baby.

I got out of the pool to deliver the placenta naturally on the birthing table, which i think was about 20 mins later although Im not sure as I can't really remember now.

St Peters was such a wonderful place to me. They gave me time to shower in the birthing room and get dressed and then they brought some tea and dinner in for my hubby and me. The midwife said it was one of the most tranquil births she had attended.

I was lucky as the hospital was quite empty for my stay, I found it so relaxing and the staff so helpful that I stayed for 5 days in my own ward! One evening my little boy just wounded sleep and I was so tired so the midwifes took him for a few hours for me and gave him a bottle (with my permission) so I was able to get some sleep.

The food was really good and I remember them coming round to offer you hot chocolate in bed in the evenings.

I had a wonderful experience! I am pregnant again now and just hope it goes so well this time too!

Thanks, Lucymitchell.

I have heard brilliant things about St. Peter's. A few of my friends have had babies in St. John's in Chelmsford and then transferred there for some aftercare.

If I was about to give birth again, I'd find your story very reassuring.

Out of nosiness, do St. Peter's just have the one birthing pool or are there more? I had a waterbirth with my ds and can't recommend them enough.

Not sure if I count as mid-Essex, or if I'm a bit southerly, but here goes any way.

Where you gave birth. Basildon Hospital.

When. November 2003 and May 2008.
Brief outline of experience. I have a complicated medical history and both pregnancies ended with quite long stays in hospital before the birth. However, I always received excellent care and the midwives are fantastic.

Plus points. Lovely midwives, very good MA facilities, managed to get a room on my own after both births.

Negatives. Consultants clinics were much speedier second time around but the registar I saw really didn't have a clue about my condition and I felt my consultant care was lacking.

Any other useful information e.g. parking costs (I only mention this as we ended up with a £76 parking fee when I had dd). Parking can be a nightmare at Basildon, although I personally think it has improved greatly in recent years. It's quite expensive though.

Hi
This information is out of date really but had both mine at Basildon Hospital in 1989 and 1996 excellent both times could not fault at all. Second time needed the neonatal unit and was glad I had not been snobby and gone to St Johns (as you could choose then when you lived in Billericay and lots of people did not want Basildon on the birth certificate.) I fear my precious DD now 14 would not be with me had I taken this route as at the time St Johns in Chelmsford did not have the specialist care needed at 3am in the morning.

Still attend Basildon an a lot with DD who is now 14 and always get first class service. The parking is in abundance now with the new car park but is expensive.DD often attends GOS Hospital to in London and this is first class. I don't know what I would do without the NHS.

Not really probably what new Mums need to hear as not relevant but just wanted to sing Basildon Hospitals praises.