Southern General Maternity

SlummyMummyAndProud · 2010-04-13T19:47:48+00:00

Has anyone had any experiences of the new unit at the Southern?

colie · 15/04/2010 21:46

I am only hearing bad things on netmum about it. I have been receiving ante natal care in merseyside but now moved back to glasgow at 31 weeks.

I will be having a section there in 9 weeks so would love to get others opinions on the Southern General. Will watch this thread with interest.

awakenings · 16/04/2010 01:53

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aichi · 16/04/2010 10:11

I'm only 10 weeks pregnant, with my first baby and still going through horrible morning sickness...but I was told by my doctor that Southern General will be the nearest Hospital for me to give birth and I've got my first booking appointment at Western General(!?!) in a few weeks time - very exicited (apparently thats where the midwife is?? even though I plan to give birth at the Southern General??)

I know I can choose the hospital but I havent heard much reviews about Southern General...

I too will be interested to hear people's experience at the Southern general.

colie · 16/04/2010 14:52

I had my first two daughters by sections at the Queen Mums and my third at Arrowe Park on the Wirral. The difference in hospitals was like night and day.

At Arrowe Park someone brought my dinner to me that night. Helped me get washed and onto a chair. Next day brought me breakfast asked if I wanted help to get a shower and out of bed etc. I didn't want to leave, felt like a hotel compared to the Queen Mums.

In Queen Mums both timess, I got myself to the toilet after sections, holding onto walls to get there . Noone ever offerred to bring food to me or a drink. Or help me get baby out of crib etc. If I buzzed for help with breast feeding I would wait about half an hour for a midwife to come (not blaiming midwifes I know they are understaffed).

After my lovely experience the last time I am dreading going back to nursing myself after a section

I was hoping for some good stories about how it has all changed.

doggiesayswoof · 16/04/2010 14:59

Not the new unit, but had DS at the Southern 2 years ago

I had no issues with it at all. Good care, crap food just as you would expect, everyone lovely, 2 midwives with me at all times during labour

My labour and delivery etc all straightforward though which helped (opposite of awakening's experience)

The breastfeeding support however is not great. They do have 'specialist' midwives but they are very overstretched ime

aichi it's the Western Infirmary I think?

AvrilHeytch · 16/04/2010 15:11

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prettybird · 16/04/2010 15:52

Interesting how different people have different experiences. I had a fantastic experience at the Queen Mum's (albeit nearly 10 years ago) including brilliant b/f support, good support from their EPU when I had my first missed miscarriage a few years later and then crap support from the Southern when I had my second missed miscarriage a few years after that, when they prolonged the agony by having me come back repeatedly for yet more scans even though the sonographer had already confirmed that the (twin) pregnnancy was not progressing (they were misreading her reports ) and then tried to make me wait to have blood tests to "confirm" before giving me an ERPC - even though my GP had already given me three blood tests to confirm (like the scans) that the pregnancy had failed It was a distressing enough time without having to get all assertive.

I am sure that the new unit will be a lot better though

mamasparkle · 20/04/2010 20:58

I have heard good reports - that the new unit is lovely and modern and all the labour rooms have their own ensuite(remember staggering across the corridor to shared toilet at QMH whilst in the final stages of labour - not nice!)

midnightexpress · 20/04/2010 21:09

I had both my DCs by em CS at the old Southern. Midwives/PN staff were generally great, though our midwife when ds2 was born might as well not have been there tbh, for all the encouragement and help she gave me. Shitty experience with the registrar too, I'm afraid. Food was unspeakably bad, so hope that's improved. All in all though, I didn't think it was bad, though I have nothing to compare it with.

ecclescake · 21/04/2010 12:10

I have had two children in the last 2 years at the southern, and apart from the food I have only great things to say about the place. The midwives are dedicated, fabulous individuals whose uppermost concern is with mother and baby. baby number 1 was almost born at home (by choice - and with great support from the southerns community team), until complications saw us deliver in hospital - all good.
baby number two was delivered in the hospital as well - no complaints (apart from food) at all.
Midwives are there to help - will help with pain relief if you need it, or are very pro natural birth if that is your choice, and all have homiopathy training (Sp - sorry!). Make sure you read about labour, and how you want yours to progress - however ensure you do not become so single minded that you can't cope if you need to change plan (e.g. me going into hospital with number 1). Speak up, and articulate your plans - you will find supportive midwives. Good luck!

ScarlettCrossbones · 21/04/2010 20:44

I know two people who have given birth at the Southern in the last 2/3 months ? both were raving about the facilities?pool, soft music and lighting, en-suites (can't remember if these are in the delivery rooms or wards though).

Am booked for a HB any time now but I wouldn't mind having to transfer too much if these reports are true!

flyingdoll · 22/04/2010 19:29

Hi, i am 15 weeks pregnant and have changed hospitals from Princess royal to New maternity at the Southern General. I read reviews and after speaking with people i decided the southern is the better option. (closer to home, not as madly busy) It looks fab, all brand new facilities and so far the midwives i met have been lovely. If you google it you can do a virtual tour of the new maternity unit, it looks fab. Its also a training hospital for midwives and has (so i was told).

Original poster

SlummyMummyAndProud · 20/05/2010 10:54

thanks for all your posts.

Sorry for not coming back sooner though.

I was originally going to the Princess Royal but all I've heard is horror stories so I thought the the SGM would be the better option. Have now found out that I won't even be going there till I give birth!

All my antenatal care will be done in Maryhill health centre.

Not a happy bunny!

OP posts:

KTsmum2010 · 20/05/2010 13:22

Slummymummy,

I had my first baby 9 weeks ago at the Princess Royal and it wasn't terrible at all! I had to be induced at term +10 days, ended up with very quick labour (1 hour 40 minutes) which resulted in a tear - not midwives' fault, baby was just coming out and nobody could stop her! Had to go into surgery after labour, and all doctors/anaesthetist/nurses were really lovely and reassuring. Surgery meant I had a spinal block, so was immobile. The orderley asked me numerous times if I wanted her to bring me breakfast and cups of tea, even though not allowed. Staff are willing to turn a blind eye when required! Breastfeeding support was on hand when I asked but as someone else mentioned, the midwives are very busy.

A friend had her baby 7 weeks ago at Southern and from what she has been telling me, it wasn't particularly good.

Everyone's experiences are different though, so it is difficult to decide on which hospital is the "best". Just don't think you should write off the Royal.

LucyT66 · 20/05/2010 16:13

My sister had her two at Princess Royal and had a wonderful experience with both.

I think there is a bit of snobbery - because the Princess Royal takes in the rougher parts of Glasgow, a lot of folk prefer the Southern.

But my sister didn't have a bad word to say about the Royal.

Good luck.

logrrl · 20/05/2010 20:48

slummymummy the maryhill community midwife team is fantastic!!

heavydutyjudy · 21/05/2010 20:07

I agree re PRM - I had my first baby there 9 weeks ago and the staff were brilliant, both in labour and on the ward. I would say though that some of the other mums and dads were a little bit scary with east end attitude, so I've no doubt that the midwives would have given that back to them.

My sister had her baby at the southern 11 weeks ago and had a very good experience.

Original poster

SlummyMummyAndProud · 22/05/2010 00:42

I've not got any problems with the prm takin people from 'rough' areas as i come from probably one of worst areas in Glasgow. The issues i have are from peoples experiences but i suppose everyone has they're own experiences and view

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NumptyMum · 22/05/2010 05:33

SlummyMummy - I think so much depends on who you have as a midwife. With my first baby (nearly 3 years ago) I was at QM's, induced at term plus 12 due to low amniotic fluid, and my first mw was fab. Sadly shift changed and second mw not so fab - not bad, but not as helpful eg didn't help me get breathing right when contractions came, I ran out of g&a because she was writing notes etc. However we got through it! The team on the wards were helpful but overstretched.

So I'm guessing whichever you choose, there's no knowing whether you'll get a really supportive mw or not. Only way around this is to have an experienced/good birth partner or get a doula, I guess...

Re not going to the hospital before end of pregnancy, that's the usual I think. I only went to QM's first time when booking in, for my antenatal classes, and for appointment at 40wks. The rest of my care was with community mw who at that time was based at my GP.

Are you booked in for any antenatal classes/refresher? It would give you a chance to suss the place out. Otherwise there are hospital tours (which your birth partner can go on too) but apparently they are busy and get booked up quickly.

I'm due again at end June, so may be able to update in a while...

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 22/05/2010 11:54

I had my DD at the PRM 3 weeks ago and was generally impressed. Was asked to go in to confirm my waters had broken - no pre.ssure at all to have a vaginal exam.

Went back in again to give birth to my DD in birthing pool - huge room, brand new, very clean, en-suite and 3 very nice midwifes. Stuck to my birthplan throughout without me having to ask/prompt. Tore quite badly plus serious issues with people going "down there" so they wanted to take me to theatre to give me a spinal block. Was not keen on this so promised to be good and they sewed me up on local anaesthetic and gas and air.

Food was shit, but didn't want to leave DD so used to grab a packet of sandwiches and take back to ward.

BF support wasn't that great - they are dead keen on it but a bit grab your boob and shove the baby on. Had destroyed nipples by the time I went home

Original poster

SlummyMummyAndProud · 22/05/2010 16:00

Thanks for all your replies.

OP posts:

scaussie · 19/07/2010 22:20

The midwives on the delivery ward are 1st class and so supportive and listened to what I wanted. I could tell they loved their jobs.

The nurses are great on the ward with some being exceptional, most being good and one or two I didn't warm to.

I was on ward for 3 days and induced in 2008, not sure how the new SGH is but have heard the same staff are there as before.

Food was inedible, and I eat everything normally (except brussel sprouts)

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 20/07/2010 15:57

Another vote for the great antenatal care at Maryhill Health Centre (DD now 2.5months). Also had great experience at PRM.