Anyone given birth at Derriford hospital in Plymouth?

[Firstimefreaked]

I'm due in August and I'm seriously considering giving birth in Exeter (I have a family friend there) everyone including the midwife thinks I'm being crazy! Especially the midwife who thinks I'm being silly. I've just read some terrible things about it, exeters one looks so nice, I want a water birth and Exeter even lets you bring in your own pool. I currently live in Plymouth.

Also be wary of bad reviews, its like trip advisor for every 100 people who had a good holiday there is one that didnt and goes online to moan about it :) not that birth is anything like a holiday lol

I gave birth at Derriford 18 months ago. Was a nightmare to get in, lady in the phone (I assume midwife) was very dismissive and unhelpful. But once in they were fab, really attentive and helpful. I had the water birth which was really good (although bizarrely the gas and air pipe only reaches the edge of the pool so had to be at the edge through the contractions). Had to go to theatre in the end to have a ventouse, everyone was brilliant especially anaesthetist who held my hand throughout and explained everything, and even got some photos for us.

Post natal care wasn't great, very understaffed, and the ward was very cramped and a little dirty. The staff that were there were brilliant, spent ages helping me with breastfeeding. But it wasn't a brilliant experience.

I'd definitely give birth there again, I wouldn't want to be in the car for an hour in labour, the 15 mins to Derriford was awful, one of the worst parts of the labour. Not enough room, very very painful. Also I wouldn't want to risk being sent home.

I might ask but I think I was more worried about the staff and reviews, but I'm glad to hear about all these good reviews.

Hopefully won't have to stay there long, but Derriford isn't sounding to bad.

I had my first dc at Derriford 17 months ago. Was referred there after my 36 week checkup (pre-eclampsia) and induced, baby turned out to be breech (only complaint there was that no one realised this until 24 hours after induction!) so had an EMCS.

Everyone was so kind and reassuring, so I had no complaints there, even the EMCS was fine in the end. Postnatal care for me was brilliant as I was on the transitional care ward for 2 weeks afterwards. The nursery nurses there were absolute godsends during quite a difficult time.

Ages ago - but I had my third in derriford - trial of labour after 2 c-sections. Ended up with another section & was terrified for various reasons after my second. The anaesthetist stayed late to see me through the operation & was lovely with my panicking.

Post natal care was far better than the London hospital my first two were born in.

I've always found the staff at derriford pretty good TBH. Have had to go up there a lot over the last year - including last Friday night - & they have been great. Like all hospitals they are struggling at the moment (I know from a friend than 1 in 5 patients should not be there - bed blocking due to the lack of social care) but the staff have been great.

I had both my babies in London but I work in the NHS and am frequently at both Derriford and RD&E.

The care I see on the postnatal ward at Derriford far outstrips that I received in a supposedly world-leading maternity unit in London.

Just from a purely practical point, traffic to get to the RD&E is an absolute nightmare. That would put me off alone.

A friend is an obstetric consultant at Derriford, if you have any specific questions I could ask her x

First baby born 18 months ago at Derriford. I was in Saltash, so easily the closest place to give birth. Preferred the idea of a birth centre but none within 30min drive.
As it was I gave birth 45 min after getting to labour ward at derriford.

Second baby born last week up country (we've moved) in a birth centre. It was ok having a water birth, but certainly not the magical experience I had built it up to be!

Honestly, if we were still in Saltash, I would have done a home birth for my second. I didn't really like the post natal ward at derriford, it got ages for us to get discharged (12hours) and I just wanted to be home. However, with no other facilities close I don't see how, if you like, beggars can be choosers.

Birth is what you make it. I agree that going to Exeter is fairly ridiculous, what if you need to get there at rush hour? It becomes 90+mins. If you're that set on water, and you're low risk, go for home birth.

If partner staying over sways your decision, I gave birth at Exeter 6 months ago and partners are no longer allowed overnight.

I've heard good things about Torbay.

Hope this helps!

I was worried about my dh going home overnight but actually the people next to me had loads of noisy visitors and kids running around that evening and i was glad when everyone fucked off and it was just four women and their babies. As much as I wanted DH there i didnt want other men there in the middle of the night when i was trying to breastfeed and limping about in my pjs with a giant sanny pad on. Its only a few hours of your life and you might get discharged early. He got some much needed sleep and went and bought me a load of lush food, got the washing on ect. My friends who were low risk got to go home within hours. I second the car journey thing, sitting in a car was horrific (im 10 min drive) as you can't move around as needed with each contraction. I would book a tour and discuss home birth with a view to going in if needed. Bear in mind birth is generally unpleasant wherever you go, it isn't a spa weekend, the staff are under huge pressure and rushed off their feet everywhere. Saying that if you do stay overnight dont be afraid to ring the bell for help if you need anything, they are very caring and attentive.

Yes, and I couldn't fault it. They were rated as Outstanding for caring by CQC and that completely matches my experience.

Yes, and I couldn't fault it. They were rated as Outstanding for caring by CQC and that completely matches my experience.

Okay I'm glad to hear these positive-ish stories as was worried about bitching cruel nurses and sub standard delivery suites. But for the record I was planing on staying with my family friend for a while near the end especially since I could get the work done on the house round about then (it currently rains inside, but can't do it until summer or it will pour inside) my family friend lives in Exeter 30 min from the hospital. I'm glad to hear that a water birth wasn't quite the magic as it seemed as even the best plans can be stopped by nature.

It's very reassuring to hear such great stories, Im considering getting the work done in June instead and just giving birth in Derriford.

I know staff at both Exeter and Torbay Maternity units - the teams there are genuinely lovely and if I weren't 5 mins from the MLU in Newton Abbot would happily go to either.
The only reason my friends (both recently qualified midwives) didn't consider posts at Derriford was location.

Please take effect into account that Derriford basically services all of Cornwall now, so one or two complaints are nothing. It's definitely worth visiting the unit if you can.

Good luck to you and your Devon Dumpling!