Mums in Newham – what was your maternity experience at Newham Hospital?

honestly having my first baby at newham was a rollercoaster ride, the appointments, scans and check ups were great everyone was so nice and heard your concerns, as my pregnancy progressed and was at triage it started being different everything seemed normal to them and they disregarded my symptoms i was told it was psychological but this was on one occasion every other they were really nice and helpful. The midwives helped me move my induction forward as I was in a lot of pain and vouched for me which i am greatful for, the actual labour and birth was great more than i was expecting, my midwives were so helpful they listened and tried their best eventhough I was being a hard patient😂😂, by the end of my labour they were all cussed out and f'ed off in every way possible but i apologised and they said it happens more than I think. But they made sure everything went right and how I wanted. However, post partum I had to stay at the hospital for a few days and honestly it was horrible

i wanted to pay for a private room and i couldnt as they told me thats not an option anymore so i was stuck on a ward begging to have my baby checked by the doctors who proceeded to check her 2 days after i had raised my concerns which meant I had to stay longer. The older midwifes that were there honestly made me cry multiple times, they didnt support in anyway and made me feel horrible about breastfeeding because my baby wouldnt latch no matter how many people came and tried. It was bad postnatal care wise but with the prenatal care and labour it was great

I was super super worried about having my baby at Newham just because overall peoples views aren’t great however, my experience wasn’t bad what so ever.

All the early appointments were fine, the only thing I didnt like was the fact the midwife appointments were in Pontoon Dock and if you drive it isnt accessible at all.

I went triage twice, once when I had reduced movement and after my waters broke which both times it was your typical wait depending on how many people there were. Triage went down hill a little bit when I went into labour, I had to go back after my waters broke to be induced and the midwife in triage couldnt get the canula into my hand and when because I was moaning it hurt, and then asked for reassurance that it was actually in the vein she yanked it out 🙂 so that wasn’t a positive experience what so ever. However that was all in triage.

When I went into the induction ward, the ladies there were amazing she was able to do my canula, she done her checks..

My experience at Newham wasn't great at all. The reception staff kept moving appointments about and not telling me about it. I would turn up to appointments and my husband took time out of work and you turn up and they tell you they cancelled your appointment yesterday and the cancellation letter is in the post. I was really thinking what on earth. They were so disorganised and I just knew giving birth there was going to be a nightmare. I do feel bad for the doctors and midwives there as they have so many patients to get through in a short space of time but that being said they need to do something about staffing levels.
Luckily I got referred to the Royal London Hospital as I have a blood condition and like you, I was really happy to travel there for all of my appointments.

I didn’t have any appointments in Newham but due to all the reviews and opinions I’ve heard from others I decided to go with Homerton hospital and I cannot fault it at all

I don’t have any experience in either of these hospitals but I can definitely recommend UCLH if it is convenient for you to travel. It was recommended to me by a few midwives and apparently that’s where they go to give birth. I had a fantastic team on the day and also when I was in the labour ward.

I had my daughter at Newham. My issue was only with the scans every single one we had people walking in and out.
I was lucky and had gave birth in the birthing suite so I had my own room, I was moved from a single bed to a double bed after giving birth.
Message me if you want more detail.

Antenatal care was very good with newham.

Birth experience was so and so. You’ll be lucky if you have supportive nurses there who will offer you different options to manage the pain. It’s best to do it natural though just so you can feel the contractions and push with the body rather than blindly hahaha. Stitches were terrible - the muslim lady didn’t administer the anaesthesia properly so that HURT! I was traumatised!

Post care - I had no idea you could book a private room so was alone with the baby! It was horrible.
In contrast, after my second birth at whipps cross hospital - they now do private rooms for free - I think! They have newly built it! The husband can also stay all night with you and doesn’t need to leave but they don’t allow kids to stay so you’ll have to leave the kids somewhere else or your husband goes with the kid etc.

It’s always best to have your own room post birth ALWAYS especially since you’re vulnerable and I was extremely uncomfortable with other ppl.

My first pregnancy at Newham Hospital was a traumatic experience. During my 21-week scan, an undiagnosed cervical dilation was missed. When I later presented with bleeding, I was told I was 3cm dilated and that it was likely a late miscarriage. Despite my pleas, the staff refused to attempt a cerclage or seek a hospital with higher-level care, and a doctor even imposed her personal religious views on my decision to save my son.
Thankfully, I advocated for myself and secured a transfer to Homerton University Hospital. Thanks to their excellent care, my son was born at 23 weeks and 3 days and is now a healthy, thriving 3-year-old. I am so grateful to the team at Homerton, where I later had a wonderful experience with my daughter.

I tried getting in to Homerton and Royal - and was refused due to lack of space. Had to go to Newham then. All these terrifying experiences make me worried. How do we get transferred to a different hospital with ease?

Thank you for this post Newham was my closest but i was advised to go to Homerton now i can see why

Closest to Newham, went with Homerton. My birth didn’t go to plan (so many things went sideways, but nothing that was anyone’s fault) but everyone was lovely. You can pay for a private room there although there may not be one available.

Did have one hairy moment when two different heart beat scans failed to find him and it turned out they were just broken :|

Really lovely. We had a private room in Newham and had no issue. Make sure to ask questions all the time and get clarity for any concerns you may have..be vigilant and get someone to go with you!