Broomfield Hospital - experiences?

[AmandaNicole]

Has anyone here given birth at Broomfield Hospital (either the consultants ward or the normal birthing unit)?
They don't offer tours, so I really don't know what to expect! It's my first pregnancy, so don't know how you're meant to choose if you have no way of touring!

Any recent experiences would be really helpful xx

Are you sure they don't offer tours? They certainly did a couple of years ago as part of the NHS antenatal classes.

They stopped doing them last year or so. I am signed up for an NHS antenatal class and apparently they "may, sometimes take you around". But the woman didn't sound very confident about it when I called up asking.

@AmandaNicole I gave birth there in the mlu in 2015 and this year, was all very positive. However it wasn't busy either day so this might have been a factor. The only negative is that the person I rang in to speak to ahead of coming in didn't seem to have transmitted my message properly (though it is entirely possible that I rang in to the wrong bit).

The first time I had the big pool room (will try to upload a pic) - looked nice though iirc I didn't request pool (or use it). Second time had a big low bed with a metal arch and instructions for how to use it to help with birthing positions. Again I didn't use it, as things moved too fast!

Afterwards all fine, though they did lose some bloods and have to redo them, meaning a slight delay in leaving. However I was still home within 6 or 7 hours of giving birth.

I chose the hospital as it's close to where we live.

Happy to answer any specific questions if I can.

This is the pool room

Sorry that was meant to be three images!

I had my first DD there in 2014. I started out on the midwife unit and was transferred to the labour ward as DD’s heart rate needed monitoring. I didn’t have a tour prior to labour, I just had some of my appointments with the midwives there. I had to stay for one night and managed to get my own room (it was very quiet) so I didn’t even see the ward.

Was the transfer between the two units fairly easy / non-traumatic?

Yep, they’re just down the corridoor from each other so it was fine. They’d already warned me I’d probably have to move so I didn’t make myself too at home.

In the midwife unit I didn’t have the pool room, but there was an ensuite with a bath that I was encouraged to use if I wanted. I also went in a couple of times for monitoring due to reduced movement, and both times the midwives were really nice.

The food was rubbish but I sent DH down to M&S for supplies so it wasn’t a problem!

Hi @AmandaNicole I too am pregnant and plan to have baby At Broomfield. It's my second but I lived in London when I had my first and had him at UCH which had amazing prenatal care.

I had an MMC earlier this year and I was briefly under the care of Broomfield. I think the hospital seems ok but it can be very busy. It seems to be the most recommended in the area. My experience so far with this pregnancy (and it's very early days) has been much better than my experience earlier this year.

Had my daughter there in 2011 and although its a bit foggy now I have no bad memories or issues. Had her at 4.12am was discharged by midday. Mostly lovely staff except for one but I am sure that's common everywhere. I was in there for three days today including two days induction. Big modern rooms, don't remember the food or much else. I would go back there but wont be this time as I have moved.

I pregnant too and also thinking Broomfield.

Hoping to have a little look when I go for my antenatal classes.

The only downside so far with appointments has been the parking is a nightmare!!!

I believe you go in by the a and e department rather than through the hospital but I'm not sure.

Yes you can go up the ramp by a and e and park at the top but it too gets very busy. However, one time my husband and I couldn't find a space anywhere so cars were parking on grass verges and on yellow lines etc. we had to park on a grass verge but we got a parking ticket and I told the main reception that we had paid for a ticket even though not in the car park and they took down our number plate so we didn't get a parking penalty and said it was fine because parking is an absolute nightmare and we had paid - staff are not allowed to park there apparently so do sympathise.