NOW CLOSED: Have you given birth in a UK NHS Hospital in the last year or so? Please complete a short survey for MNHQ....

[AnnMumsnet]

We want to know what all MNers think about Bounty reps on NHS Wards.

If you are a UK Mumsnetter who has given birth in a UK NHS hospital in the last couple of years - whether or not you had contact with a Bounty Rep post-natally - please complete this short survey.

This survey has already been sent to the MN Research Panel - please only do the survey once.

When answering, please think about the most recent birth you have experienced in a UK NHS hospital.

Everyone who completes the survey and adds their details at the end will be entered into a prize draw, in which one Mumsnetter will win a £50 Amazon voucher .

Click here to complete the survey

Thanks, MNHQ

this MN thread from last year makes for interesting reading too, Ann.

Done!

I work in a maternity unit and our bounty rep has left as she said she hated the hard sell tactics so much. She was expected to get 7 in 10 women to sign up for the expensive photographs. She was told to use phrases such as "where should we put baby for their photos" rather than " would you like photos taken".

Completed.
(I think maybe the wording on the first question should include "when" rather than "whether"?)

Completed.

Completed, this has played on my mind ever since at it really annoyed me.. I was exhausted and vulnerable I allowed them to take photo's because I didn't have the energy to say no. I wasn't expecting it and wasn't prepared, will be next time currently 6 months pregnant...

I think the Bounty pack I got a few years ago was better than the one I got this year in terms of free stuff. I was a bit annoyed by that.

Done.

DS3 had got stuck, and had a massive caput, and I didn't want his photo taken. I was told by the Bounty lady that they 'had' to take the picture, even if I wasn't going to buy it, for 'security purposes'.

Buggers won't take me off their mailing list either. Even though I made it plain that I didn't want to even go on the mailing list in the first place.

She also interrupted his newborn hearing check, I had to forcibly tell her to come back later!

Neither of my babies had their picture taken, it wasn't even suggested. Is that what happens in other hospitals? That's outrageous!

It is appalling that reps should be allowed to approach strangers at such a vulnerable time. Ds was in NICU and I was in an awful state recovering from a csection when one approached me.

'Would you like to have babies photo taken'

'Baby' is in NICU'

'We can arrange for babies photo to be taken there'

Bleeeeeuuuurrrrrrghhh

Bounty is far too aggressive with their tactics. They would be much better served looking at new Mums as long-term loyalty prospects rather than potential clients for diaper-stage of life only.

Done. I had a dreadful birth, which wasn't helped by the B woman hassling me daily for pictures. She didn't tell me where she was from and actually led me to believe she was a hospital official 'we just have some forms to fill in, it's all routine blah blah' and also led me to believe I couldn't get CB if I didn't give my details. Totally unacceptable exploitation of patients IMO.

This is about to be discussed on Radio Five Live in the current program, well they have mentioned that they will anyway.

hazeyjane you made me laugh. My experience almost exactly the same, except I didn't manage to puke over her!

Filled in the survey - I had no contact from the Bounty woman at my most recent birth, but that's because my birth plan for it read "Try to go to and stay in MLU. Try to avoid postnatal ward. Please could staff tell the Bounty woman to fuck off so I don't have to this time"

Didn't manage parts 1 or 2 so very glad part 3 was achieved! Though actually I was compos mentis this time despite having to stay in 24 hours, so might have relished giving Bounty a piece of my mind, mostly about lying to me previously that I had to sign up to be able to claim child benefit. And the crapness of the Bounty packs compared to 4 years earlier - 1 laundry tab and 1 teabag is just pathetic!

Bounty aren't looking for long-term loyalty; they get their money from selling your personal info to other marketers, who may try to get longer-term loyalty out of you.

Couthy - that happened to me too! I forgot to put that in the survey.

Interrupting the hearing check, that is.
They also interrupted the paediatrician check

I didn't actually give birth in hospital, should I still do the survey? (Transferred in after home birth). Was over a bank holiday which I assume Bounty reps don't work as I never saw one!

Might be worth mentioning that although I can't say it was enough to change my decision about place of birth, the thought of being hassled by sales reps made the idea of giving birth in hospital sound potentially stressful. I was very pissed off that such an important choice was muddied for me by having to consider such a factor.

I never had a single issue with our bounty rep. She was polite, she accepted yes and no, she explained everything, didn't feel hassled or anything and I liked the photos! Sad to see not everyone had the same. I had positive experiences with them after both births - and both my births were shitters.

Done. Was very short with bounty rep who wanted my details so she could give me the child benefit form.

Told me " no details, no form"

She hassled me and I was so tired I gave in and gave my name and address, but refused any more details. Was bombarded by marketing calls when I got home and endless junk mail.

Another company (tempest) did the photography, so I had two reps to fend off.

On a postnatal wad hours after giving birth for the first time, struggling to breast feed, it is appalling that these people wander about, pulling back curtains and selling to vulnerable women.

Done. Totally unacceptable IMO to allow a private company direct access to potentially vulnerable post natal women.

Done. I simply don't understand why hospitals think this is acceptable. Mine used another company who were fine. I said no on the first morning and she didn't ask again in the five days we were there. But even so I don't think it's right in principle