Royal infirmary or St John’s?

I was at johns and was induced, great staff both in maternity and labour ward, they look after u well but there is obviously midwifes that are kind of mean but you’d get that anywhere. I was out the day after giving birth but I was asked if I wanted to go home or stay another night x

I had the most awful experience at the royal. If I ever have a second one it won't be there

I prefer st johns i had my little girl at royal and my little boy at st johns and honestly think st johns is best x

I was left in maternity triage waiting room at the royal crying in pain while I was in premature labour and had sepsis. Staff didn’t believe me and had an attitude. Labour ward some staff were incredible and so amazing but others were nasty, rude, heartless and cruel. If I had the ability to do it over again I would go to St John’s just because of the awful staff I encountered and how it ruined an already stressful and scary experience

I was just induced at royal infirmary and it wasn’t a nice experience for me - not wanting to scare you but just to answer your question lol. I was having contractions but not dilated so they fitted the cooks balloon and I was to be taken to have my waters broken 24 hours later. They never had enough staff to transfer me to labour ward the next day so I had to stay in the outpatient unit for another 24 hours until they could take me, having intense contractions every 5 mins with only paracetamol and dihydrocodeine for pain relief (not enough!!). When I was taken to labour ward the next day they already new by 2pm my labour wouldn’t progress and I would need a c section but there wasn’t a doctor available give the go ahead for the procedure until 10pm when they finally took me down. I feel completely let down by the hospital tbh and it really is because they were so understaffed, was left with the pain of an unnecessarily long labour, no sleep and also a c section to recover from

I would say however the midwife’s/doctors that dealt with me were amazing, there just wasn’t enough of them. If you aren’t getting induced and you are in active labour they prioritise you so you’ll get the best care but if it’s an induction or early labour then they will let you down. I would 100% choose St John’s if I had another baby, they have way less patients but the same amount of staff so the care would be way better and I’m sure they wouldn’t leave you hanging around in agony with little pain relief for 48 hours!! I wasn’t rushed out the door though, the midwives were great after. I had to stay for 3 days due to complications, was offered to stay longer but wanted to get home. They really helped with my recovery but I only had so much to recover from due to their negligence!

Don’t know about the Royal but I had my second baby by planned c section at St John’s and they were excellent

I had my first baby at St John’s in July and it was amazing! My midwife was incredible and all the staff on the labour ward were great and very supportive. I stayed an extra night to get help with feeding and they were so kind. I had always wanted to go to St John’s (because they have birth pools in rooms) and then had to go to the royal for a triage a week before I gave birth and the experience there was enough to make me sure St John’s was the best choice

I went to the royal for triage and was 7 hours to be checked thinking I was going early (never experienced period pains so never knew the difference) felt like was being judged and looked down on by the midwifes. After reading these comments even though further away I'm now considering asking to go to St John's so thank you everyone for your comments

I had an emergency section at St John's with my daughter after developing preeclampsia and having a very long failed induction, and then recently had a planned section at St John's with my son. Very different experiences but I would say the staff both times stood out. They were kind, friendly, and communicated my options clearly. They are definitely understaffed but I had good experiences both times despite this. Xxx

As a birth educator I highly recommend the team at St Johns!

I had a planned c section in St John’s it wasn’t a brilliant experience nor was it terrible - lack of communication and terrible under staffing, My water’s broke hours into waiting my turn into theatre and I was left for hours on end without seeing a midwife whilst in active labour without any monitoring of baby - I had my girl at 7pm and was home by 4pm the next day as I know id be supported and looked after better at home

Anyone know about the situation on birthing pools at Simpsons and at St John's?

@Lauren What would you like to knoe about the birthing pools and I can try to help?

@Kaleigh, thank you. Earlier this year, most of the birthing pools were under maintenance and wondered if they were up and running again?

@Lauren Yes! The birth centre and labour ward birthing pools are back up and running and the pools at St Johns are available for use too!

Amazing to hear, thanks! 🙏🏻

Had my baby at the Birth Centre at the Royal in April and it was a really positive experience with lovely staff. Gave birth early in the morning and the midwife told me straight away that it was my choice but they wanted me stay overnight which I did.

Had two birth centre experiences at the royal Which were both excellent

I had an elective section at the royal and had an amazing experience. I was really supported on the postnatal ward, especially by the student midwives.