Frimley Hospital vs Royal Surrey

[Lpeach1]

Morning all,

I've just recently found out I am pregnant with my first child. I had my first GP call today where they said I needed to decide on a hospital for birth - Frimley or Royal Surrey.

Are there any Mums on here that have given birth in either hospital that could share their views?

This being my first pregnancy, I have no experience of maternity units!

Thank you.
Lucy

Hi Lucy,

Congratulations! Following with interest as Royal Surrey is my ‘local’. My sister had two of her three at FP (the third abroad) and really rated them.

I know several women who had their babies at Frimley, some with complications, and they were all very happy with their treatment at the hospital

I gave birth recently at the Royal Surrey and would highly recommend. Excellent care. They do an amazing range of free and paid for classes/web chats which are currently offered online so you feel really prepared. Happy to answer any questions you have if I can.

I’ve had two babies (and two sections 1 elective and 1 emergency) at Frimley and been very happy with everything. I wasn’t very straightforward either as I had various complications for both me and babies (all well now fortunately!)

I’ve heard good things about Royal Surrey too so I honestly think you’d be fine at either. Is one easier than the other logistically?

I had an elective c - section (breech baby!) four years ago at the Royal Surrey - was a very positive experience and would recommend. The only issue was the bloody awful parking but I think that's pretty common at all hospitals!

I've had 2 babies at Frimley (1 water birth in the MLU, one on the labour unit as he arrived before the pool filled) and was really happy with my care both times. Happy to discuss!

Thanks everyone for your replies. It's good to see positive comments on both sides. Logistically Frimley is closer to me so will probably go there but, being a newbie at this, I wanted to make sure there weren't lots of horror stories first!

Pretty much all my friends/relatives with children had them at Frimley and never heard any complaints, only good comments. I would be having mine there myself but have moved from the area. Good luck whatever you choose 😊

Not much by way of advice but I am 5 weeks pregnant and these are my two local hospitals too! I've gone with Frimley Park, I didn't think too deeply about it though - unfortunately my MiL is a fairly frequent patient at FP so we are quite familiar with it, and know a couple of parking hacks. We also had some infertility investigations there. I've always been jealous of the pregnant couples strolling through with their blue folders, so I'm hoping I will get to achieve my ambition of joining that gang!

@MissHoney85 I'm 5 weeks too! All feels a bit surreal at the moment doesn't it? I did go with Frimley in the end. Hopefully we'll both be joining that gang soon enough! Have you already contacted Frimley to notify of pregnancy? I did the online form this week and just waiting for a call back now.

@Lpeach1 yes I did the referral form on Friday. It does feel very surreal at the moment, I'm still finding it hard to believe that it's real and manage my excitement alongside my fears that something will go wrong. I think that seems fairly universal though! Congrats to you, here's hoping we're both in the blue folder gang 🤞🙏

I had my three a Frimley too (including 2 having some time in SCBU) and was really happy with it. Geographically I'm pretty much equidistant between Frimley, Royal Surrey and St Peter's. My midwife at the time worked at Frimley so that made sense plus from ours there was less risk of traffic (Guildford traffic can be awful!). I've got friends who've had theirs at the Royal Surrey and some who work there - I don't think either are remotely bad options.
Congratulations by the way!

@MissHoney85 Yes I'm finding it's hard not to get carried away at the moment. Just want to fast forward to the 12 week scan! Huge congratulations to you ! Wishing you all the best.

@GU24Mum I go through Guildford for work so the traffic was a bit of a worry for me in the future. Pleased to hear you had a good experience with Frimley. Thank you for the congratulations, doesn't feel real at the moment!

Another with a great experience at Frimley MLU. Having 2nd there this year too. Quite surreal going in for scans this time around but the care has been fantastic.

I don’t know about RS but Frimley parking is awful and that put me off even considering there. However, friends have had most good experiences there.

Hi Op, congratulations! I can't recommend Frimley enough - the appointments and care leading up to my First Birth there was amazing. I'm also having a C-Section there in a fortnight for my second child, I can't praise them enough. Especially their measures during this crazy time, it's been brilliant

@Nachonacho thank you! And congrats to you too, really not long for you to go now then! That's great to hear another positive review. Feeling happy with my decision now.

@anonymouse I bet it must be really strange going into the hospital at the moment. I am already thinking ahead to my 12 week scan and wondering if my husband will be able to come with me. Congrats on your second baby!

@TildaTurnip thank you. Good to know about the parking. Will have to leave plenty of time to find a space then!

@Lpeach1 No problem at all, Good luck with everything! Also, noticed a PP mentioned the Parking at Frimley - it is awful but if you're feeling cheeky, Park at Waitrose and walk a few Minutes to the Hospital

I had my daughter in the mulberry suite (birthing centre) at Frimley Park and loved it. It was an amazing experience. Had her in the pool. Only mother in there all day, out the same day. Can't recommend it highly enough.

I'm having my scan on 28th May at FP and they're still saying attend scans alone. At least apparently the parking is no problem at the moment!!

@Nachonacho ah thank you for that tip! It may come in handy!

@GlennRheeismyfavourite congratulations! Hope all goes well with your scan on 28 May. Thanks for letting me know re partners at scans currently.