Lincoln hospital

[mixi82]

Hi, this is my first baby and just registered for midwifery services at Grantham, Lincolnshire. I've just been told they no longer have a birth centre there so I have a choice of Lincoln or Peterborough to have my baby. Does anyone have any feedback from either hospitals?

I heard that Lincoln has a bad reputation - my friend had a choice and chose Grimsby. Peterborough is very new and shiny and has lots of facilities. I am currently with Huntingdon but thinking of transferring back to Peterborough because of this.

I had DC1 at Lincoln and DC2 at Grimsby. It was fine, the facilities are very dated, but overall it was fine and the staff were mostly lovely I chose Grimsby the second time as it is closer to where we live and we had to think of convenience and arrangements for DC1 the second time. I actually found the single room aspect of Grimsby quite isolating, some of the staff quite patronising and I'm glad I had DC1 at Lincoln, despite the swish facilities at Grimsby.

My dd was born at Lincoln. OK, this was about 10 years ago so hopefully things have changed! The midwifery staff were great but so so overstretched. I was in for 3 days after the birth and hardly saw a midwife- i had had a straightforward delivery so i guess they had higher priorities! The HCAs who were in and out of the ward were great.

The physical state of the place was awful. It was dirty, overheated, noisy and the staff did nothing to restrict number of visitors to the permitted levels and visiting time was a zoo. I threatened to remove my own catheter and walk out the door unless they moved me. Thankfully it worked. I will never forget the state of the loos and bathrooms- they seemed constantly covered in blood and were rarely clean.

Lincoln used to do tours of the maternity units on Sunday afternoon once you were close to term- definitely recommend you do that before making a decision.

Have never been to maternity unit at Grimsby but understand it is much newer. Whispers- i would have sold a kidney for a room to myself!

Just out of interest, where are you ladies located? At the time I lived about halfway between Lincoln and Grimsby and was offered a choice between them.

It's such a shame about Grantham . Have you considered the Pilgrim Hospital if it's geographically good for you? I've had nothing but good care there, have known people give birth at both Lincoln and Peterborough, and they say it's like giving birth in a factory- one in, one out. I think Grimsby has got good new facilities but haven't had any experience/feedback of it! However, don't be too worried by any negative comments, there will be bad stories for all hospitals just as there will be good ones- you may have an amazing experience in the hospital you choose!

You're all worrying me now! My first baby is due in early feb and I'm a Lincoln hospital patient!!

Thanks for all the feedback, that's great to know. I live in Grantham so I'm quite disappointed with no north centre there now. I've heard there's one in Melton Mowbray though, near the big Tesco? I'm sure there's nothing to worry about laura00007, but as suggested, it maybe worthwhile visiting the centre to see what it's like. I've been to Peterborough a few times but not for their maternity services, it seems really nice and clean so that's perhaps an option.

I had DCs 3 & 4 in Lincoln (DCs 1 & 2 in Grantham) and it was fine. One emergency section and one elective. Midwifes and care was good. They are 5 & 6 now.

And I am kind of inbetween Grantham, Lincoln and Boston

Melton is under threat of closure at the moment. My SIL is due in April and keeping everything crossed it will still be open for her to deliver there. She really doesn't want that big hospital conveyor belt type feeling for her birth which she worries she would have at P'boro.

I gave birth at Lincoln in May. And in 2011. The staff on labour ward were lovely. Both were inductions, both times my birth plan was read and discussed with me and both times my DP was kept involved and informed. Especially in 2011 as they were phenomenally busy but didn't make it seem that way.

The postnatal ward was horrible though. For the reasons most have already given. But. Most postnatal wards are not that pleasant, even if nice and new. It's the noise and the visitors and lack of privacy and the just not being in your own bed. The only way you get around that really is by having a homebirth as you can't guarantee you'd get a quick discharge and avoid most of the ward issues.

Perdita - I am in between Lincoln and Grimsby and was given a choice between the two

I didn't find Lincoln dirty at all, just shabby, but definitely not dirty. I agree that most postnatal wards are horrible places to be! I felt in Grimsby that it would be easy to be forgotten about as you would never have someone just walk past your bed, they would have to specifically choose to go into your room. I am very shy, so would have found it very difficult to ask for help.
One thing that they had at Lincoln which was great was a sidecar crib which attached to the bed, that was brilliant and made a massive difference to my second night there That wasn't an option at Grimsby, although I was only overnight there for one night thankfully. I know Grimsby isn't an option for the OP, I'm just trying to offer a comparison for Lincoln with somewhere with newer facilities. It's not just about the facilities though, I found the staff at Lincoln much friendlier, more helpful and more approachable

I had both of mine in Lincoln and it was fine, I was in 5 days with both (was induced) and had no problems, I'm not a fan of Lincoln hospital in general due to how they treated my niece but have always found the maternity good, but then I suppose I have no other hospital to compare it to.

Whispers, you are probably in the same area I used to live in. We were a couple of miles north of Market Rasen in the absolute middle of nowhere!

I know nothing about any of the hospitals in question but have friends who live Grantham way and they opted for Nottingham so just throwing it in there in case it's an option for you.

Perdita - yep, we are about 8 miles north of MR in a little village I love living here Although it's rubbish for decent shopping