Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Multiple births

When do you start showing with twins? What is life with twins like? Join the conversation on our Multiple Births forum.

Having Twins at East Surrey? (or live in the area?)

82 replies

1stMrsF · 07/12/2008 22:02

Hello

As discussed in my previous thread, here's a space for those of us expecting twins who are due to deliver at East Surrey to discuss our experiences.

Anyone else expecting twins close by is very welcome to join us.

I'm expecting non-identical twins in May 2009. This is my first pregnancy. I've had my first appointment at East Surrey and have my 20 week scan on 30th Dec and my next antenatal appointment on 5th Jan.

Look forward to chatting with you

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
1stMrsF · 16/03/2009 01:56

Hi Jerin

Sorry, I haven't been back here in a while. I am also being seen every four weeks at hospital - was very surprised last week at 30 weeks when they said come again in 4 weeks as I was expecting the appointments to become more regular at that point at least. My scans are every 2 weeks now (from 30 weeks) but I am seeing my midwife in between hospital appointments and have been doing so since my first hospital appointment at 18 weeks.

I think that they are not very interested in seeing you if everything is OK - reassuring on one level I suppose!

OP posts:
1stMrsF · 16/03/2009 01:57

PS, Jerin and Pop - did you get a private room while you were in the hospital?

OP posts:
magnummum · 16/03/2009 17:25

1stMrsF - at last scan on Friday, all ok and both now doing what they are supposed to be doing growth wise! She's turned again (head down and he's transverse). However, very bizarrely they have booked the next scan for 4 weeks time and one for 4 weeks after that (by which time I think babies will have appeared anyway). Is there any rhyme or reason to what goes on at that place? Have obstetric appointment on Thursday so will let you know what pearls of wisdom are shared then LOL. Re private rooms in my head I read yesterday you do get priority but can't remember where I saw that so think I have just made it up...

jerin · 21/03/2009 21:57

I think whether you get a private room is probably up to whoever is in charge on the day. My babies werent with me so I spent 3 nights on the ward after c-section but the ward was empty one night and only one other on the other two nights. Then I went over to Rusper and had a whole week in a private room but was only given that as they felt sorry for me. Made it much easier tho - hearing babies crying is the last thing you need when you havent got yours next to you.

magnummum · 22/03/2009 17:27

Hi Jerin
How are things with you? Are the babies home now?

1stMrsF · 23/03/2009 11:05

Hi magnummum

People keep telling me that with twins, I'm bound to get a private room, but I think they are just telling me what I want to hear! We have booked the tour for 1st April now, so if I make it that far, I can hopefully find out more then.

Good to see you briefly on Friday at Twins Club - I thought it was good what did you think? Jerin/anyone else still with us - are you aiming to get to twins club when you can?

OP posts:
magnummum · 23/03/2009 20:27

My midwife helpfully informed me last week that side rooms were for medical emergencies or mums staying at the hospital because their babies were in for a long time - but you know what I think of her advice. LOL. I'm going to get booked on a tour after all I think - suddenly panicing that we wouldn't really know what to do with ourselves if it all kicks off in the daytime etc (4am and we're fine). Think it will be useful to get brain into clearer mode and hopefully getting sensible answers to a few questions

So tired of seeing different people at every appointment. Dr on Thursday seriously unhelpful...

Thought Twins group really nice - much more welcoming than singleton ones I've been to! Think they will be a great source of reassurance over the coming months/years...

1stMrsF · 24/03/2009 11:10

Just for information, we are booked on tour 1st April 8pm. Will email you to find out more about seriously unhelpful doctor...

OP posts:
1stMrsF · 01/04/2009 22:29

Went on the tour today - here are some notes that might help others:

Use the golf club car park at £2 a day instead of £25 a day, especially if you are in a for a few days.

The doorbell for the East entrance after hours (after 9pm) is on the left. You can leave your car in the drop off bay (with a note saying you are at the delivery suite) and come back later to park it when mum is safely admitted.

There are 11 rooms in the delivery suite plus 3 in the low risk area (1 birthing pool plus two rooms with no beds, just bean bags etc.) The 11 rooms all have a private bathroom, most with bath/shower/loo (one has only a shower and loo and one has just a loo). It's difficult to say how busy it is on average, but it does get full - only one room was free when I did the tour.
The neonatal unit is alongside the delivery suite and a short distance down the corridor from the post natal wards.
There is an dedicated obstetric theatre alongside the delivery suit, staffed with delivery suite staff; there is always an anesthetist on call.

Postnatally, they have a quick turnaround ward (Burstow) where the average stay is a few hours, or until the next morning, plus 2 wards for longer stays. You will automatically be on a longer stay ward for a multiple birth. There are 6 beds on each ward and if you have more than one, they will usually give you a corner room in the ward. There is really not much room in the wards (you'd get to know the other mums there pretty well...), but the longer stay one has a nice room with tables and chairs for mums to eat meals and relax in.

There are 4 private rooms. They were all occupied when I was there so didn't see one. They are £80 per night and filled on a first come first served basis. You should ask for one when you arrive and it will be put in your notes that if there is one avaialble when you've delivered you want to have one. Having twins doesn't give you any priority at all (which the maternity support worker showing us around seemed to take some pleasure in telling me, causing most of the room to laugh - not a terribly pleasant experience...) If you have a c-section you have to be on a ward for the first night so that they can keep a closer eye on you. They can also ask you to leave a private room if they need it for a very sick patient, particularly one with an infection they want to isolate from the ward.

All the maternity staff are trained in breastfeeding. They are not allowed to offer bottles unless you ask for them. Only in the event of a pediatrician recommending formula feed because of dehydration or low blood sugar will they give bottles against your wishes. She assured me that they will offer whatever help is required to help mums with multiples establish breastfeeding 'just keep pressing the bell'.

They made quite a fuss about not bringing in food except for during labour when they encourage you to have food, especially for dad. However, evening meals on the post natal wards are 5.30 to 6.30 so I'd suggest that you'd need snacks to make it through to breakfast especially if breastfeeding!!

Overall, I feel a bit more positive having seen the place and get the feeling, which I also got from the NHS antenatal classes run by East Surrey, that the staff genuinely want to do a good job and make your experience as good as possible. Whether they are then able to execute due to shortages of staff is another issue, but they are starting from the right place.

OP posts:
1stMrsF · 07/04/2009 20:19

Had a very positive appointment at the hospital yesterday. Saw the registrar Dr Fletcher that we?ve seen several times before and think highly of (he even offered me a hand to get down from the couch ? how many doctors have you met who do that?) and because both are head down and all is well with me he said we have an excellent chance of delivering them naturally. He said that the things they would insist on would be continuous monitoring and a managed 3rd stage to reduce risk of maternal haemorrhage, but that I would not have to have an epidural, unless I want one, or labour in theatre. This is because they are both head down and he said usually the recommendation for epidural is where the second is breech because of the higher chance of a c-section for the second twin. He did say that if all goes pear shaped and the second baby is in distress, there would be a small chance of having a c-section by GA, but in most cases they are able to take the time to do a spinal block instead. He also said that it depends who is the obstetrician on duty when we come in ? some doctors would always prefer twin mothers to labour in theatre, but he would always advocate a normal delivery room. However, he has given me some confidence now that if we arrive and are pressured to use the theatre, we will be able to say that we?ve discussed it with him and would prefer a delivery room.

OP posts:
jerin · 08/04/2009 09:37

That all sounds great MrsF - hope all goes well for you. So pleased you got answers to your questions - they were the questions I was asking but no-one would answer. how many weeks do you have left?
Just to add to East Surrey info - Burtow Ward has 4 private rooms I think. i'm pretty sure none are en-suite but they all have a sink. I have seen bathrooms blocked off for use by a room so maybe this is possible - although extra cost I'm sure. I think over on Rusper there is just 2 private rooms tho i could be wrong.
i would imagine you would definitely need snacks to get you thru the night. the menu seems to have recently changed - presuming it's the same menu all over the hospital. There used to be a hot meal option for lunch and dinner but dinner now is just soup and a sandwich plus dessert. breakfast on Burstow is self served so you can return for more but it's only cereal and bread rolls no toast. On Rusper it is served to you but the lady would possibly give you more if you asked I'm sure. I thought the staff were great - but I never needed to press the buzzer - I know that it can take quite a while to get the buzzer answered as they did seem short staffed.

magnummum · 09/04/2009 19:09

Good to hear some positive things Jerin. I'm at the stage (almost 32 weeks) of being torn between wanting to cook them for as long as possible and wondering how I'm going to waddle around for a few more weeks! dd1 2.7 v. busy too. How are you getting on with your dts?

jerin · 10/04/2009 09:23

Cook for longer - it's still a bit too early for them. Much easier if they can come home straight away- special care is hard especially when you have a LO too.
We seem to spend more time at ESH than out still which is unsettling for LO. Otherwise good days and bad. Be really organised - dont expect to sleep! My little one was scared of DTs at first but now tries to get in chair with them or pull them out! I have to have something for him to do each time I feed DTs - fave dvd, in the night garden, lunch. Only 18 months so too little to help. He gets all the attention and Dts are only picked up to be changed, feed or if really screaming. DS has become really clingy and wakes at 5am. He's also become a pro at feeding himself!

1stMrsF · 10/04/2009 18:20

Thanks for tips jerin. I had already decided to completely ignore the no food rule and told my husband and my parents that if they are visiting me they had better bring food or they might not be allowed in the door! I'm hoping that if I can end up with a natural delivery that the stay in hospital will be minimised. Is there anything else that you'd recommend we would need for a stay at ESH?

Sorry to hear that you are still spending time in the hospital - I hope that they are soon strong enough to need less medical attention.

I'm 35 weeks now and still cooking so I'm more hopeful every day that when they come they won't need special care. Be nice to hang on until 36 weeks - DH then has 6 weeks of not working so will be home whenever I need him, rather than 2.5 hours away if I go into labour during the day.

OP posts:
MarsLady · 10/04/2009 18:51

1stMrs... get that consultant to write that info in your notes. It helps if someone else comes along with a different plan.

jerin · 11/04/2009 16:39

I think the no food rule was introduced because some people used to turn up with a banquet and all the family!! Although they say its Health and Safety! I'm sure so long as you dont need anything heating up and that you're discreet they wont mind - probably too busy to notice anyway.
Wow 35 weeks is great - hope they hang on til you can be sure DH will make it. I hope they will be able to come straight home so you dont have to stay too long - but there are quite a lot of full term singletons that also need a little special care so try not to worry too much if they do. They will allow you to spend a maximum of 10 days in hospital and then they make you go home. Often they will tell mums whose babies are in special care that they may as well go home sooner as their babies will be in for some time. Insist on your 10 days if thats what you want - its the worst feeling leaving without your babies - you may even be able to squeeze a few extra days out of them if you need to. Although I'm quite aware that if alls well you'll want to be home as soon as..
I cant think of anything else apart from the usual hospital bag items..... slippers, light dressing gown, flip flops (for the showers). No flowers are allowed on the wards these days- Health and Safety!
Might have said before but have another bag or a drawer at home with extra clothes that you might want - especially useful if you have to stay a bit longer - my DP was useless at bringing things I wanted even with a list and strict instructions!

1stMrsF · 16/04/2009 16:06

Scan today at 36 weeks and babies have both turned breech again! [exasperated emoticon] so back to my c-section birth plan and a few more days in the hospital...

OP posts:
1stMrsF · 16/04/2009 16:06

Scan today at 36 weeks and babies have both turned breech again! [exasperated emoticon] so back to my c-section birth plan and a few more days in the hospital...

OP posts:
magnummum · 16/04/2009 16:22

Both mine head down - just had 1st steroid injection, 2nd tomorrow - they're concerned about our little girl - may be looking at delivering in 10 days or so (yikes!)

jerin · 17/04/2009 13:26

Peppermint tea - following c-section trapped wind can be really painful so pack some peppermint tea to ease it.

magnummum - thinking of you and hoping that all goes well. In 10 days you'll be nearly 34 weeks wont you? The steroid injections should help to avoid any ventiltalion being necessary when your babies are born. My 32 weeker only needed cpap for 48 hours and that was without any steroids. The special care staff at east surrey are fantastic - but even they dont really know how you feel when your baby is in there (thats the way I feel anyway). They will tell you to go rest but its the last thing you'll feel like doing. Do you know what kind of delivery you'll be having? Take a large bottle of water in with you and then you can keep re-filling it. Its really hot in SCBU and that way you'll know you're drinking enough. The criteria for leaving SCBU is that the babies have to be 36 weeks. Feeding well - going 3-4 hours between feeds. And weigh 1.8kg or more - 4lb. There's not many positives to having your babies in SCBU but one good thing is the feeding routine. Mine came out feeding half an hour apart - every 4 hours. Now DS is going 6 hours thru night even though he's not yet 8lb.
I expressed for them whilst they were in hospital and wanted to breastfeed but planned to get them breastfeeding once home. I knew we'd get home quicker that way. With everything else that was going on I realistically didnt have time to carry on expressing and the breastfeeding went out of the window. DS1 my 32 weeker came home on bottles and only started breastfeeding at 16 weeks so it is possible. He gave up bottles at 8 months but breastfed until 11 months.
Have you had a look around SCBU yet? They may let you see a small baby - nothing prepares you for how tiny they are. Mine were about 16- 17 inches. Tiny and skinny.
We tried to keep DS1 in as much of his routine as possible whilst twins in SCBU. DP took some time off work initially as he wanted to be with us but equally I needed him home when twins discharged. SCBU is open to parents 24hours. We took DS1 up several times but only for 10 mins or so. Theres nothing much for little ones to do but they are welcome there except between 1-3pm. when its quiet time. We always made sure at least one of us were back in time to pick DS up from auntys and get him home fed and bathed in time for his normal bedtime. This has really helped us as he is in his normal routine still. I've fitted babies around him. SCBU will also make feed times whatever are easiest for you if necessary.
I keep going on about SCBU but hopefully you wont even need it. If you would like any more info on what to expect I'm more than happy to answer your questions either here or you can email me. (I think I'm qualified to answer them - 11 weeks there). Dont worry too much about tiny clothes - they have a big supply - just dropped my tiniest off there otherwise you could have had them if needed. You might want to get some nappy supplies in - they ask that you supply nappies and cotton wool. Tescos Sainsburys and Boots all do prem nappies - Pampers and Huggies too. Theres not usually many on shelves but they normally have stocks out the back.
Hope all goes well

1stMrsF · 20/04/2009 19:37

Elective C-section booked for 1st May. At least I have a date to aim for now...

OP posts:
jerin · 20/04/2009 22:28

OMG - was thinking thats ages away but it's only 11 days.........I cant believe its April already ...nearly May ... where has the year gone?
Good luck.... keep us posted. Maybe pick up some arnica tablets - I didnt take them as couldnt get to the shops to get them but I was so sore after c-section - someone recommended to me.

1stMrsF · 21/04/2009 08:59

Thanks

OP posts:
jerin · 21/04/2009 21:38

Magnummum where are you? Hope everything is ok??

magnummum · 22/04/2009 09:22

Still here! Escaped to MIL's for a few days distraction and help with DD1! Thanks for advice Jerin especially re the juggling of twins and a toddler! (liked the advice about places stocking small nappies out the back - am instructing DH to ASK someone if he needs to LOL ).

The babies have moved about a fair bit so I'm hoping she'll be in a better position for the scan tomorrow - oh and it would probably be quite helpful to see someone we've seen before or else we'll be on to registrar no. 6!

Will update tomorrow. Go Mrs F - exciting to have a date!

Swipe left for the next trending thread