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Experience of Royal Derby Hospital?
Hiya, I'm new on here, so sorry if I've posted in the wrong place or something!
Just wondered if any ladies had given birth at the Royal Derby hospital. I've picked it as my hospital with my midwife, due to how close I am to it, but I haven't actually been there before as I've changed areas. Can anyone share their experiences or anything of it?
Thanks in advance, Mrs J xxx
Just wondered if any ladies had given birth at the Royal Derby hospital. I've picked it as my hospital with my midwife, due to how close I am to it, but I haven't actually been there before as I've changed areas. Can anyone share their experiences or anything of it?
Thanks in advance, Mrs J xxx
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I had my son there 20 months ago (it was called Derby City General Hospital then), and I have to say it was a positive experience. The maternity unit was upgraded and re-opened in December 2007, and had ds in July 2008, so all but one appointment was in the 'new' bit. I was consultant lead so had quite a few appointments and was happy with all the staff I encountered apart from one - but to be fair when I complained about her I was happy with the way it was then handled (a registrar I saw at 16 weeks who was very offhand and confusing, but when I called my consultant's sec about it she got a fab specialist midwife to call me back and talk things through and then checked with me I was ok with it at my next appointment). I ended up being induced at 11 days over, and felt well looked after - I saw three midwives, all of whom were lovely. The midwife who delivered my son had just moved to the hospital so was being supervised for her first birth, so I had two midwives for quite a bit of the time. It did take ages (4 hours, for no particular reason) to get onto the ward after the birth, but not a huge complaint. You can pay for a private room on the ward if one is available (it was ??57 a night, but they invoice you when you get home, you don't need the money on you) - and if you have a really bad time they try to get you your own room for free - I thought it was worth it, but I think the bays on the wards were ok too - I had an irrational fear that my baby might be switched so didn't want to let him out of my sight for a second, and in my own room I could go to the loo with the door open!
We really struggled with breastfeeding, and had lots of support with that too. I was helped to express so he could be cup-fed, which personally I was much happier with than a bottle of formula being given, but I also think if I'd asked for formula that would've been ok too. And then someone stayed with me for ages twice during the night to help me get him latched on.
Oh, and the food was quite nice too!
You can book a tour (after about 30 weeks I think), which does give you a better idea of how things work - but this is done by a HCA so it is a look round rather than an opportunity to ask medical questions.
I'm now 24 weeks pregnant with no2 and booked at Derby again.
Let me know if I can help you with anything else.
I'm glad you had a good experience there. Sorry I'm very naiive, but the bays, are they the wards with lots of women in together?
Also are there many birthing pools/baths there do you know? As I'd like to make use of one if I can!
Thanks again for being so informative and good luck with the rest of your pregnancy. x
A birthing pool was never an option for me but I think they have 2 - which I think is fairly standard.
When's your baby due?
Im currently 12+ 5 - I had my DS there last may and thought they were fab,. I dislike my consultant that I saw prior to the actual labour - but all the MW were fantastic -
I was induced so ended up there for 6 days in the end and found the staff brilliant x I stayed on the ward and they fit 6 women
Good Luck for your first scan x x Maybe I'll bump into you at some point!
Sorry to pick up on an old thread but this is just what I was looking for. I am now 31 weeks and have not really had any experience of Derby Hospital except for the couple of scans I've had. Its really good to hear that its a good hospital.
xx