Having C-Section alone @ Princess Alexandria Hospital

[offsidecrown1224]

I’m having a c section alone, husband will stay home with our toddler (3) as we have no family nearby to help. It will be at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow.

During my last c section, which was an emergency and during Covid, I remember being left on a ward and the midwives being quite awful whenever I rang the bell to ask for help lifting my baby. I stopped ringing in the end.

I was also left with the curtains wide open while other women’s husbands/partners milled about the ward - I felt so uncomfortable having other men seeing me half undressed in a hospital gown.

I also recall the husbands/partners snoring away! And when I complained, I was treated like a nuisance. I just wanted to sleep after a very long labour and now operation. Not listen to someone’s husband snoring?!

This was at Royal London. My own husband couldn’t be there because he hadn’t been COVID tested (which we didn’t know he needed - we weren’t expecting a c section stay).

I know that PAH has private rooms, is it worth getting a private room (about a £100 per night I think?) or are the midwives kind and helpful? Will they close the curtains and help with lifting the baby?

No idea on this particular hospital BUT - if you can afford it, pay for the private room, well worth it I'd say for some peace and privacy even just for one night.

Hi, just thought it's worth mentioning. I've given birth recently at PAH and they do have about 5 private rooms known as "L Bay" but you cannot pre book them it's literally just down to luck on the day, they also told me it's unusual for C Secrion patients to be put in one of the private rooms as they need to be monitored more so they like to have c section mums on the main ward.

If it's any help, they were amazing with me after my c section in May!

Good luck x

Thanks so much - that’s all very reassuring to know! I had such an awful time with an emergency c section at Royal London.

Did the staff help you with lifting your baby? I was made to feel like a nuisance by the staff at Royal London when I asked for help lifting the baby post-c section and help for breast feeding.

@offsidecrown1224 hiya, no worries at all!

Yes both times I've given birth at Harlow every single member of staff was lovely and amazing, literally not a bad word I can say about both of my experiences. This time round I needed more help as I had a section and they helped me feed, change nappies etc when my partner wasn't around, they help you to the bathroom if needed etc (although you have a catheter in for the first night, but if you stay longer they will of course help you to the toilet etc)

I also didn't feel rushed out, I was eager to get home the next day and luckily I was discharged but they was very heavy on letting me know I can stay as long as I feel I need to, I wanted to just get home and settled though so each to their own.

So yes hope that puts your mind at ease abit, I honestly can't fault any of the midwives/nurses at Harlow they were all so lovely xx