Recent experiences at Royal Berks Hospital?

[crazymuseummumtobe]

Afternoon all - does anyone have any experiences of giving birth at the RBH in Reading? I'm just curious, I guess... It is where I'll be giving birth in January. I was hoping to be able to see the labour unit at some point first (as some people here have said happened at their hospitals) but got told by my midwife today that that won't be possible. I know I don't want a home birth or anything like that, but would be good to know if other people have had a good experience recently. I know it really struggled between 2007-2012, but that was one time ago!

Thanks!

I gave birth there in 2016, was induced due to being over due, had some complications but no complaints about the care I received, especially after giving birth. One officious breastfeeding midwife which said some inappropriate things considering my delivery but other than that fine.

I know a lot of people who have given birth there and no bad words from anyone.

Hi OP, I gave birth at RBH in 2017 and am due to give birth to our 2nd DC there in January too! The Midwife led unit was lovely, there are four large suites, which can be used for water births. They are very well equiped with special labour chairs which can be adapted for you, they are clean and generally set a nice atmosphere. I didn't end up with the birth I hoped for but did spend alot of time in this unit. I ended up having an EMCS, and was in the iffley special care unit after, luckily I was put into a private room (didn't pay). The staff were generally OK, there were a few senior staff which were quite abrupt but I guess they're busy for niceties, the general staff e.g for breastfeeding support etc were lovely.

If you have specific questions then feel free to PM me

I'm due to give birth there in April/may.
My best friends mum works as a healthcare assistant on the maternity ward and I've heard it's great. Both my friends gave birth there and didn't have problems.
My friend paid for a private room, i think around £70 as had a c-section and said it was great!

I'm also due in May. I put the midwife unit down as my preferred option, liking that there's a maternity ward on a different floor if needed.
I've sadly had to spend quite a bit of time in the Sonning ward in the past, but they've always been kind.

@crazymuseummumtobe

I gave birth there just 7 weeks ago. My experience was short and sweet! The delivery room they took me to was on the top floor, can not remember what level or ward name etc as I was being pushed there in a wheelchair in absolute agony as baby was about to drop! I just remember going into a lift after going through the Maternity entrance. I arrived there at around 2pm, baby was born at 2:35pm and I was discharged the same evening at around 9pm. In the room was a birthing chair rather than a bed but can be reclined into a sort of bed. There was also a birthing pool in the room and own separate toilet. I didn't have time to really use the facilities before birth, but I did have a nice bath in the birthing pool after delivery. Staff were very friendly and helpful, kept checking on me and baby etc. Very lenient with family coming in to see you and baby, but children and other babies not allowed in the delivery room so my daughter couldn't come in and see me even though she was in the waiting room.

Only downside - which is not really a downside, but walls are thin you can hear other women in labour to but it's all part of it. There was a women next door to in established labour for hours and I was really routing for her!

Hope this is helpful btw!

Hi - thank you everyone, that's all really reassuring :-) I feel like I've got so much to learn and absorb in the next few months!

Interesting to read these posts as I am due to give birth at the royal berks this month.

I'm also due in January to give birth at RBH, had first chat with midwife yesterday (long story) but I haven't any worries at the moment.

My midwife steered me to Frimley rather than RBH, apparently the reviews weren't great