Poole Hospital

Hey ! Congratulations!! I had my little girl at poole 2 years ago and I loved it my midwife was amazing and I had a waterbirth 🥰

I would move hospitals. I was induced at poole and moved to Southampton mid labour as my care was awful! Southampton were amazing and I’ve heard great things about Dorchester too. Good luck! Xx

I didn’t have the best experience there with my first, no support breastfeeding, no real care after or during induction, only during pushing. Was very very very ignored as a first time mum. We went so Salisbury second time and they were BEYOND incredible 🥰 deffo recommend Salisbury if you can get there x

I had my little boy at Poole 5 years ago and had a failed augmentation. They were very quick to act and I had an emergency c section very rapidly. The c section and everything were fine and care received until on post natal ward was amazing. The post natal ward was not so great but it was September, they were extremely stretched and not the friendliest sadly. I am due to have a c section in 1 week and am planning on using Poole again. Scan wise etc they have been very good.

I didn’t have mine in Poole due to medical reasons for my baby but I have not heard good things about Poole unfortunately. They also were very late at finding out something about my baby at 37 weeks when it should of been found out at 20 weeks! Congratulations 🥳 x

We called the midwives when i was in labour and they insisted in me staying at home longer and taking paracetamol. My husband decided to take me in when my contractions were very close to each other and very painful, without calling them again. The midwife was rude probably being stressed out with the number of moms on the ward and told us off why did we came in despite of her advise to stay at home. It was 4am when we reached the hospital, and good for us, as the baby came at 7am. Despite of the first encounter i had with that midwife, everyone was so helpful and friendly and supportive. They assisted me to have the birth i wanted and helped me with everything from changing nappies, to moving to the toilet and so on. They were checking on and the baby me constantly and helped with absolutely everything. If i would have a second baby, i would go to Poole hospital again.

Congratulations 🫶🏻 I gave birth to my little boy in May & I couldn’t fault poole hospital. I was induced to speed things along arriving at 11oclock in the morning and baby had arrived by 11:57pm. I believe they are under a lot of pressure because of bournemouth being shut so everyone is currently at poole. I guess everyone will have both good & bad things to say but for me I wouldn’t have any issues giving birth at poole again 🙂 x

I had a baby in August. Day staff were amazing!! My midwife Connie was brilliant. But as soon as shift change hit it was awful. Midwife kept disappearing for hours and read my notes wrong so was told I'd needed to wait for a specialist to check baby. Hours later she came in saying she'd got it wrong and I could finally go home at 1am!

I was induced in April, and the 3 midwives I had during my Labour were so incredibly lovely. Constantly sat with me, monitoring me, chatting to me. Couldn’t fault the care during the process to be honest. Only thing I felt was very much tossed aside afterwards as I didn’t feel that the postnatal care was the best. But still overall I personally had a good experience 😊

I've had both my boys in poole, first 2 years ago and second around 10 weeks ago. Both times I haven't been able to fault them, the staff were amazing and I honestly couldn't fault them. Day staff were great and night staff were soo helpful offered to do feeds so I could get a longer stretch of sleep and always brought me breakfast as I was feeding. Congratulations x

We had our baby boy in august and I couldn’t fault the staff or anything! I think the main problem is lack of staff hence the bad reviews but we had an amazing experience!xx

I had my LO in January and was happy with Poole maternity for pregnancy, birth and post care.

I gave birth there 2 weeks ago and honestly couldn't praise them enough. They really looked after me and respected my birthing plan. I'm a first time mummy so was also worried but the whole team were great. I have friends that all went to Poole and they all had great experiences too. All the best! 💓

I got induced at Poole hospital 2 years ago and had the most beautiful experience. The midwives were amazing! X

I gave birth there in December and it was a mixed bag but the reasons for that are complicated..On the whole I think they did a really good job so I wouldn’t rush to change hospitals if that means other aspects are more difficult like having to travel a long way for your antenatal care/ whilst in labour? Pros for me: -The midwives were lovely and very supportive -when it was needed they took action quickly - I had really really excellent breastfeeding support, I wouldn’t have successfully breastfed my son without it. But my son was in NICU so the support team was different from the usual support you’d have on the labour ward. -always have great advice on the triage line when I needed it Cons- -They were extremely understaffed when I was there so I’d want to know that that had improved. -partners weren’t allowed to stay overnight after the birth where as I think at Dorchester for example allows them to stay. Congratulations!☺️

Had my LG 11 weeks ago in poole. The care received was second to none. I was high risk and had 121 midwife care for when I was admitted. I had an epidural and the hormone drip to push contractions along. My LG got into trouble and the speed, care and communication to get her out safe and well was brilliant. The inadequate rating was only given because they had midwife’s off sick and had to rearrange sone elective c sections and inductions, nothing to do with the standard of care.

I gave birth there a week ago today. They were wonderful and explained everything and always asked for my thoughts or questions. I had a cesarean section as baby was breech. They were busy but that was to be expected with bournemouth mat unit currently being closed. I never felt like I was a problem and we rang at 4.30am when my waters broke and I had been assessed and baby delivered before 11am. I wouldn't hesitate to go back to poole with a second baby although sadly they may be closed before then.

I was induced in august with my first baby, I wouldn’t say it was awful but I wouldn’t say it was 5 stars either. My midwives during induction were so lovely and were there for my every need. I don’t really remember my delivery midwife other than when I was in surgery due to complication she was stroking my face. The midwife who stayed with me after surgery was incredible and made me realise why people name their babies after their midwives! Only experienced one midwife who’s as a total ass. She was unwilling to do anything for anyone. Even the midwives at change over we’re sick of her shit. Lots of my friends are going to Dorchester as it’s meant to be amazing xx

Wow thank you all so much for all of your comments and sharing your experiences. I can’t tell you how helpful this has been! (Just read them all out to my partner too as we’ve both had concerns on Poole) I have also seen that Poole will be closing in 2024 (I’m due June 2024) and then opening in the new Bournemouth facility. Think we definitely have more positives at the moment and perhaps I won’t rush into things and see how I get on. Thank you again everyone!

My antennal care was amazing. I ended up getting induced 6 times unfortunately. They normally only do it 3 times but because I was so adamant I didn’t want a C-section they did it again. The 6th time it worked luckily. My waters broke at 2:15am and the antenatal team were amazing looking after me until I went down to labour and delivery at 6:30am. When I got to labour and delivery they put me on the drip which I was confused about but I went along with it as I didn’t know any better. Now looking back on it I was confused of why they put me on the drip when I was having regular contractions. When it came to 9pm that day I got checked and was only 1cm dilated still. A hour later I had loads of pressure and bum pain. I was dismissed even tho I felt her head. About an hour later the pain got worse so I begged for them to check and yep I was 10cm dilated. They didn’t listen to me even tho I knew my body. I was pushing for over 3hrs and with every push I felt like I couldn’t breathe.

I was dismissed about that as well. I knew I couldn’t breathe as my stomach was so hard at the top and I had to birth on my back as I had the epidural and every push my ribs were getting crushed. I finally had enough as I was in so much pain even tho I had the epidural I wanted her out. I ended ip having forcepts because of her shoulder being stuck. So all that pushing was for nothing as she was stuck. When I got to postnatal it was manic. No one helped me to breast feed so I just gave up and it was just too busy. I couldn’t thank enough the night midwife’s and health workers as they took my little on for a few hrs so I can get some sleep as I was so tired. The maternity hospital is good but they are so understaffed. They do try there best tho. My next baby will be born in Southampton due to this.

Oh yeah also I had my little girl 11 weeks ago.

I had mine at Poole in January. We had a pretty awful labour/delivery after an incredibly low risk pregnancy (we both got sepsis and then I had a big bleed). This wasn’t Poole’s fault at all though and would have happened anywhere I went so I’m so glad I chose a big hospital with a NICU! The team were amazing and are the reason that me and my little girl are both here and healthy today. We had to stay in for a week and were in the high dependency unit for a bit and I can’t fault the team at any point. I really struggled to breastfeed at first as I felt so unwell and baby was very sleepy and I probably would have given up if I was at home but thanks to all the support I had I’m still breastfeeding 9 months later! 😊

I had my baby boy July and I have to say the maternity unit at Poole was incredible! The midwife’s where amazing and my little boy had infection and we had to stay 5 days after birth and they were amazing it’s the best service by the NHS I’ve ever had! I then had postpartum complications and had to have surgery a week after being discharged and they were amazing there I honestly could not fault them made having a first baby and all the stressful complications not as bad thanks to the help and support from the staff could not fault!

My baby is 3 weeks old. All my care was in Poole hospital. I had the most incredible experience from scans to an elective induction to post natal care. My midwives were the loviest people I met xx

I can only comment on their early pregnancy services and early midwife appointments but I can’t fault Poole. I’ve had two miscarriages and they were so incredibly kind, helpful and let me decide how I wanted to manage. I’m planning to give birth at Poole xx

Was so worried about this myself as when I had my second I had her only a month after they had said this in April. This time wasn’t as good as 6 years ago when had my first there but it wasn’t like super super bad birth was only bit that was bad really as be4 being induced two midwife’s had said waters had gone so set me up on induction 9 hours in wondered y I hadn’t progressed and turned out the two midwife’s where wrong waters hadn’t gone so just a mistake I guess but a bad one I guess. Post natal ward was really really looked after and was all so amazing and lovely and can’t fault that bit. Even after I had been discharged my daughter had not as had to go back a few times as she had heart murmur but can’t fault them on the care of that ether and kept close eye on that

I had my baby in September and Poole hospital was amazing!! The midwife’s were so supportive whilst in was in labour and also after they constantly checked on me helped me walk to the bathroom, clear the room and stayed until the end past their shift time to say their good byes. Cannot fault them. Would defo recommend x