Dortchester hospital - what's it like for labour etc? (or is poole/sailsbury better?)

[pipsqueeke]

if anyone has any advice i'd really appriciate it I think that's where DB 2 is going to be born. but i'd like to know what it's like. my last hospital with DS was absolutly fantasitc- 4 to a room, when DS was in the photo box he was in the single room with me, M/W's were fantastic, the unit was nice and modern (prob under 10 eyars - but still modern I thought) and they had excellent security on the wards - you had to show/prove who you were before being allowed access.

so is dortchester better than poole and sailsbury?

tia.

No experience of poole/salisbury, but I had my DD in Dorchester 3 years ago. I thought it was good - I had a delivery/recovery room all to myself for the 1st night. Then was moved on to a 4 bed ward for 2nd night. Very modern, clean, great midwives, absolutely no complaints at all. Just had homebirth ( a week ago) and that was even better though

I had ds at Dorchester and spent quite a bit of time there and it was very good, it was quiet most of the time and very clean. Staff were excellent too. I have friends who have had babies at both Salisbury and at the haven suite at Poole and all said it was very good too. I expect Poole to be quite busy though as it covers a large area. At Dorchester Security was tight, which I would expect at any maternity unit.

great thanks girls, i'd quite like a birthing centre and just midwife care but I don't think there are any close enough by us so I think it will be the dorchester. glad to hear they have good security - it's always a worry with me with DS we were encouraged to have baby with us all the time even thou they had a nursery.

From what I've heard Dorchester is much nicer than Poole. I had dd1 & dts at Poole and opted for a homebirth with dd4 but I did consider trying to go for Dorchester. (Btw Poole is nowhere near as bad as some places I've heard described on here )

pipsqueake, even at Dorchester they like you to keep baby with you at all times, its probably like this at every maternity unit.

I'm going to Dorchester hospital cos its in walking distance of my house.
Of course i may not walk there when the time comes.

I do like that. think dorchester's def the way to go - after the birth with DS and needing a blood transfusion I don't think DH will allow me to have a home birth.

I guess it's a bit daunting after having fantastic care (althou it did help I was the only lady labouring on that night, and also was the only one on the ward once we got down there) so it was good iycwim. also my m/w with DS was with me from 6pm when she started until he was delivered at 2.37am - poor lady was due to leave at 10 but thought i'd be quick. she left rather swiftly I might add but lovely she stayed.

dunno I walked with DS - until a aldy stopped me and said 'do you realise you're blleding' bless her she was about 30wk's herself, and I was going up tot he ward with her mum/friend pushing my wheel chair saying don't do ti it's not fun this labour lark get a c section - poor lady must have thought what a bloomin nutter!