Watford General or Lister Stevenage? 1st Pregnancy!

[LadyShoey]

I've just found out I'm pregnant and need to pick a hospital. I don't know what to pick, I know Lister is brand new but know nothing more than that. Is it worth me putting my foot down with the doctor to go there? Any experiences at Watford or Lister would be greatly appreciated!

Lister is my appointed one and to be honest, from my booking appointment, I'm not that impressed despite the revamp.

I think I'm going to transfer to The Rosie in Cambridge instead.

Best thing to do is to wait till you're about 20 weeks and then go and look round the maternity units, you can change your mind any time as to where you give birth and the previous appointments for scans and booking in don't really matter too much.

I had an overnight in the Lister after a scare at 32 weeks in my first pregnancy. I have to say it was not a very nice experience and the ward was terribly shabby. But that was a couple of years ago so it could be different now.

I ended up having my DD at the Rosie in Cambridge.

I had my first in watford . I think everyone had different experiences tbbh. Depends on how busy they are, which midwives are on ect . My care during labour was ok and had epidural which went fine. Afterwards was left for quite a while before they found me a bed and got baby weight wrong but hey that can happen anywhere. Had second one at chase farm which people told me was dreadful but mine went really well. Having next one at lewisham......now that's scary !
You Will be fine.

I had my daughter at lister and cannot fault them,

She needed assistance and was born 5 mins later by emcs,

The midwives where all lovely too (apart from 1)

Congratulations! I had a wonderful experience at Watford last year. They listened to me I was very impressed with the care. As a nurse I was terrified of being on the receiving end of healthcare but Watford were brilliant.

Watford got my baby's weight wrong too. We had it corrected as had taken a photo of baby on the scales. Am trying Lister this time.

Other thing I didn't like about Watford was telling midwives breastfeeding wasn't working and being sent home. Community breastfeeding advisor didn't arrive for several days despite multiple calls. My request for help was missing from notes. Was awful. Have been told I can have breastfeeding support 'on call' so to speak at Lister and extra help before birth.

Last thing, it turned out my baby couldn't suck and lots of problems with feeding.

Thankyou all, this is helpful!

I had my first at Watford and they were fantastic, couldn't fault them.