St Heliers Maternity Unit - any recent positive experiences?

[missrose]

Hello,

I've been trying to find information on the maternity unit at St Heliers but haven't been able to find anything recent (ie the last six months), or anything positive!

It's my first pregnancy, due October. St Georges sounded awful from comments I've read and I wasn't offered Kingston so I'm assuming that's oversubscribed now (I'm 11 weeks).

St Helier's website says the maternity unit was being refurbished until September 09 so I was wondering if anyone had been there since? All the comments I've seen so far have been before the refurbishment and they've absolutely terrified me!

Any help would be much appreciated.

Hiya

Can't really help as am only 12 weeks with my first, but I am at ST H too and so far (booking in and scan) have been really impressed with the quality of care. In fact, the m/w called me before my booking appt to check out b/p because of the reading the doc had taken at my referral - that in itself impressed me! Will be watching this thread with interest! Also, did you know you can do a labour ward too? I think they are on Saturdays, but there's signs up in the antenatal reception.

sorry obv meant labour ward tour!

Hello,

Thanks for your reply - that sounds reassuring.

I'm sure most people receive adequate care but there's so many horror stories it does make you worry.

I'm just waiting for my appointments to come through, in the next week or so. I'll let you know how I get on!

x

I had DS at St Helier in Jan 09, so before the refurb and was really happy with everything about my experience. I was there for 5 nights and my only complaint was the food! I'm booked back in for this pregnancy, but can't use the new MLU as I'm classed as high risk due to GD. Haven't seen the MLU, but the refurb of the antenatal areas is an improvement. Other positive I found is there is always loads of parking!

I think you can find horror stories about any hospital on the Internet.

Hi,
That all sounds great, thank you. I think you're right about horror stories on the internet - I guess people will comment if they've had really bad or really good experiences while in reality most people receive care they're happy with.

I think it does depend on the care you receive - you could have the best midwife in the worst hospital so I'm just going to wait until I've actually been there and try not to panic too much beforehand.

Good luck with your pregnancy.

missrose and WorrisomeHeart, I am also due in October and planning a St.Helier's birth! This is our first baby. I had a look online and their page made me feel confident, but DH and I took a trip there to have a look around, and just had a good feeling about it.
Obviously I can't report about already having my baby there, but I've had my booking in appointment with the midwife, done my bloods and had my first scan, and all the personnel were nice.

The rest of the hospital looks like it needs a major revamp, but the birthing unit is lovely and new, and should we have any complications, the maternity ward is down the corridor, so we were reassured by that.

When you say you weren't offered Kingston, did they actually tell you they couldn't fit you in? It may just be that they think more highly of St.Helier's. When I told my GP I was pregnant, she suggested St.Helier's, Kingston and Tooting (St.Georges) for being closest, but said I could choose anywhere. She herself had her baby a few years ago at St.Helier's, and recommended it to me, so that helped seal the deal for me!

I'm on the October ante-natal thread here - www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/927749-10-10-babies-pumpkin-smugglers-form-an-orderly-queue?pag ingOff=1 - come and join us!

Hello Abfab,

Sorry for the slow response - thanks for your message.

I still haven't been to the hospital as the doctor hadn't faxed the form to them and I had to book a private 3 month scan to make sure I had it done at the right time. I wasn't too worried about this as it meant I didn't have to wait days for blood results to come in. I'm 37 so was a bit worried about Down's Syndrome but it all worked out.

I've spoken to them on the phone and they've been great actually. I ended up speaking to the same midwife twice over three days and she remembered all my details and I know have my booking in, 20 wk scan and tour all booked in. So far, so good!

Will join up in the October babies group - I think my family need a break from me talking about morning sicknes!
x

Hi, missrose!

I am 36 in a week so share your concerns on the age-related complications.

Our October thread is now here: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/946624-10-10-Babies-The-sun-is-showing-and-the-pumpkins - do join us!

Maybe see you at St.Heliers!

x