Births at Birmingham Women’s Hospital

[Ebonythoughts]

Hi all,

I’m 29 weeks pregnant with my first baby and registered with Birmingham Women’s Hospital but recently, there have been quite a few scary birth stories come out about people’s experiences at this particular hospital, particularly about women being left alone for hours whilst being induced and wishes not being respected during birth. At also looked at the rating and it says ‘requires improvements’. I’m really anxious about what my birthing experience could be there even though I know no two births are the same and I could have a really simple, well supported birth.

My husband and I live here alone and my immediate family live in Yorkshire so I’m considering having my birth their instead.

Has anyone has experience of transferring from a hospital where your care is registered to a different Hospital? What’s the process and do you have to give an explanation other than preference?

Also has anyone given birth at this particular hospital and would be willing to share their experience of it?

Sorry no experience of the hospital but you just contact the maternity department there or at your next midwife appointment ask for a referral to your chosen hospital.

Well I gave birth at Birmingham Women's Hospital but it was over 20 years ago so my experience won't be relevant to you at all unfortunately.

For what it's worth, there were no problems, everyone was very kind, and when we had to stay in for 5 days due to early birth, I had my own room .

Aren't there other hospitals within reach of you? Like New Cross in Wolverhampton, or Walsall Manor Hospital in Walsall.

I don't know what they are like for maternity services, but research them and if you prefer then ask to be referred there for your care.

Interested to know where you found the 'requires improvement' assessment? I checked just now (and recently before my birth 2 weeks ago) and its rated as 'good' - www.cqc.org.uk/search/all?filters%5B%5D=services%3Aall&query=Birmingham%20womens%20hospital&radius=10

I've opted to birth twice at bham womens, my most recent experience was great - brilliant home birth midwife leading the ward, respected my wishes for a hands off physiological birth, i caught my baby in the water and had the best birth I could have dreamt of (minus the inevitable pain of course!)

My first birth was good. Natural, mostly straight forward delivery but i did let my midwife tell me when to push (which ended up in 2nd degree tearing) nevertheless i was on cloud 9 after the birth and never felt disrespected or neglected either time.

I was confused about the "requires improvement" comment in the OP too. It says "good" on the cqc website.

However, you are technically supposed to be allowed a measure of choice in where you give birth, I think. Though I am not sure how easy that is in practice.

Apologies I didn’t check the CQC website thank you for linking it, it was on a report about the experiences of Black women’s maternal health in Birmingham that was released a couple of years ago. I’m glad to see the rating has change. I still feel quite anxious but will continue to do research before making a decision.

I gave birth at the Women's hospital and have chosen it for my second pregnancy even though I've moved and it's now not my closest hospital. Honestly my experience was amazing and I couldn't fault it. We needed the neonatal unit and the staff there were also amazing. I wouldn't want to have my babies anywhere else.

A friend of mine had her children there because she has epilepsy so her local hospital referred her there.

And that will be the case for a lot of women, BWH is not their nearest but is the best for care. But that means they may get a lower rating because when you have more complicated births things can go wrong.

Also some people are not happy, eg my friend wanted a water birth but they wouldn't let her because of the epilepsy. She thought that was unreasonable, I thought it was sensible.

I had my last birth at BWH without any issues at all
Positive experience. I'm also a nurse and have had surgery in the hospital so have a good idea of standards and process . No concerns

I second this. I moved to Stafford since having my first and travelled an extra 15 mins compared to my nearest hospital(Stoke) just to deliver at Birmingham Womens. I’m sure its actually the best in the midlands according to ratings - but correct me if im wrong!

Ah that’s understandable OP. I can only speak to my own two experiences as a white woman but perhaps try posting on a different board if not already x wishing you all the best!

Two days ago, we had our post-birth meet up of our antenatal group, all at the Birmingham Women's.

Only one of us had anything positive to say, and three of us had significant near misses due to care failures.

My son is 5 and I had him at Birmingham Womens and they were great. I had my 8 year old at City which was dire.