Cramlington or Hexham?

I didn’t have a water birth, I ended up having an emergency c section at Cramlington but there was a huge birthing pool in the room where I was induced and the midwives were lovely and so were the doctors. I was in 5 days my only issue was (quite a biggie) was that I was in agony after my c section as to be expected but I was just told to keep on top of my pain relief which is easier said than done when I don’t have access to it! I wasn’t allowed to buzz for it early I had to when it was due and then it was taking them up to two hours to get it to me, by which point I was in agony again xx

I don’t have have any advice on either hospital as I have had both my children at the RVI and will be picking it again for my third but I did have a water birth with my 2nd and it was such a lovely experience, hoping to have one again this time around 🤞🏻 I know my friend wanted a water birth and couldn’t have one as there wasn’t a pool available, this was at Cramlington x

I wouldn't reccomend cramlington, the Labour itself was alright and the midwife I had on the night shift was fantastic but I was told I couldn't leave the bed as baby had pooed inside which is a sign of distress (she was absolutely fine) they gowned up ready to rush me down for a forceps delivery despite me being adamant thats not what I wanted, I had 10+ midwives, Dr's, students, in the labour room and with the support from only two of them to continue pushing I managed to get baby out on my own with a small episiotomy instead (again I had in my plan I'd rather tear naturally) baby was absolutely fine they were just being overly cautious which I could understand. They mis counted collecting back in the rags they use and lost one, I was whisked down to xray without being told until then what it was for they thought they had lost the rag inside me. I was encouraged to have an epidural so was unable to walk to move myself across to the xray bed but was expected to wearing nothing but a t-shirt whilst

I had a catheter attached and was still bleeding.... the aftercare when they move you to another area was awful, they wouldn't let us leave, they wouldn't get my meds to me on time despite me being told I couldn't even take my own own painkillers in case they overdosed me later, they would constantly be in and out doing 'checks' throughout the night and then proceeding to belittle me when my baby was crying (turns out she has a medical condition where she always feels hungry but I was made to feel incompetent) my partner had to chase them up to even empty my catheter bag the aftercare was by the far the worst hospital experience I've ever encountered.... but as someone said before it's a very busy hospital 🤷🏼‍♀️ if we're to have another child I won't be going there. I know other people have had positive experiences of labour part but again the aftercare is not a strong point of that hospital x

@Tammi same as me with the aftercare, in agony but wouldn’t get my meds to me on time despite when I complained of the pain they said I just had to ‘keep on top of the pain killers’ aye I would if you gave them to me! 🙄 out of curiosity what is the medical condition your daughter has if you don’t mind me asking? My boy is ALWAYS hungry even straight after a feed xx

@Chloe she has Cystic fibrosis which causes a build of thick sticky mucus in the body and means she can't absorb the fats in foods without medication (along with plenty other issues) so she was constantly hungry no matter how much she was fed it was every hour at least 1 30 minute feed and serious of clusters, we tried her on bottles and at just 2 weeks old she was drinking 9oz before we got the medications sussed. Xx

9oz bloody hell! What a worry for you mama! How is she doing? Xx

@Chloe she's doing alright now, got our heads round it and she has a brilliant medical team who are so supportive and friendly. We're onto weening now and she's got no limitations so that's fun xx

@Tammi really pleased to hear that xx