William Harvey hospital maternity care

[ChicNavyPanda]

recently moved to Ashford and considering transferring my pregnancy care to William Harvey hospital. What have peoples experiences been like in this hospital for pregnancy and birth?

I got sent out of area to William Harvey as Dts were only 31 weeks and my hospital doesn’t take sub 32 weeks in NICU. They weee fabulous and couldn’t recommend more. This was 10 years ago though, so hope things haven’t changed.

I believe they are under special measures for maternity care. But I've had 2 babies there over the last 7 years and whilst frustrating sometimes with the waiting for discharge and to get seen for non urgent things on the ward (which I think is pretty standard across the NHS!) the care I received on the labour ward, and the urgency with which they delivered both my babies when there were issues was excellent. Apart from one stupid healthcare assistant (!) all the midwives and labour assistants I met were lovely and really helpful. Obviously they are completely rushed off their feet but my experience on the labour ward in particular was very good. Partners can stay overnight too and there is a fold out chair for them, they need to take their own pillow and blanket just in case though! I will say the only thing missing for me was breastfeeding / lactation support which some hospitals offer as a specialist service. Apart from the midwives rushed help, I never had anyone coming to specifically help me with that and had to seek it out myself after discharge, although the infant feeding team were pretty good once I had a referral x