Mater Mothers Brisbane Public

[mummybeast]

I would be interested to hear from anyone who has recently had their baby at the Mater Public at South Brisbane ???

I have had both previous babies there but the last one was 5 years ago, and I had a very scary experience ... problem is that this is the "recommended" place for me because I cannot afford to go private.

I have always found the antenatal staff very helpful, but not too sure about the ward staff. So any info good or bad would be greatly appreciated!

[Tubbychook]

Hi i havent had my bub yet due in 18 days :D But im having him/her at the mater mothers south brisbane. Even though i havent had bubs yet i was admited to the mat ward on the 25/1/06 after spending 6 hours in the delivery suite on the CTG following a car accident and will gladly tell you that all the staff there were fantastic and there was nothing that i could fault. They were very understanding and helpful and happy to answer all my questions. I was very very scared as you could imagine. i was a little nervous about the whole birth thing and hospital stay but after being in there even though i didnt have bubs has made me a little more relaxed about it.

Shannon and Squirt ETA 1/3/06

[Ffrenchstar]

They have a very handsome and professional pathology collector there;) The best in town....lol

Seriously, my hubby works at both the public and the private and he says that he feels like the public is run better (because it is not primarily a business focussed on making money) than the private. There are generally more staff available at the public becuase they are not tyring to cut costs to make money:) I have had a couple of friends give birth there recently and they had good experiences:) I am sure you'll be fine:)

[mumoftwoboys2005]

DS#2 was born at the Mater in June of 2005. I would recommend it to anyone who asked. I had no complaints about the antenatal staff or the "New Life Centre" staff as they call it now. I turned up there at 3.30am in the morning and right from the word "go" they were fantastic. #3 once I get the mix right will be born there too. :)

[mandymoo]

My daughter was born there. She was 11 weeks early and they had the best Neonatal ward for premmie babies. The staff were just lovely. The birthing suite was great, a large room, bathroom, seats for everyone, a tv and recliner chairs (which hubby slept in). I had the best mid wife, she was so nice and really funny. The only thing I didnt like was sharing a room afterwards. The lady next to me was about 1.5m away and it felt like you had to wisper when you had visitors. Next time I am going private though so I do have my own room and if I have any problems having a premmie baby again.

[mummybeast]

thanks for your feedback I think I'll be a bit better off this time because my GP is giving me really good advice about what is OK and what I have to jump up and down (so to speak) about.

Frenchstar - the path collector's name is not Michael by any chance??? One of the other "tuckshop mums" (yes we tease him about it too) works at one of the hospitals as a collector & he is alright!

[Seekrit]

Ooh I was born there! All of 23.5 years ago!! LOL

[~Alicia~]

My first was born there in 2004 I had PIH for the last few weeks so i got to know the midwives and the nurses pretty well.
I would recommend them to anyone they were fantastic.
I wish I could have gone there for my second too but unfortunatley we got in too late and they were only taking high risk patients.

[Ffrenchstar]

lol, NO his name is Mark:)

[Briannabear]

I had my bub there Jan 05 and it was an awful experience. I'll never go back - ever!
However, my friend went there too and her experience was fine.

[babykelly79]

Hi all,
I'm going to deliver my 3rd bb in Mater Public. I would like to listen more about the Mater story. As this will be my final pregnancy and hope to get a little bit more idea. Pls help! EDD will be on 17th March 2006.

[Zoe & Troy]

Hi everyone

Not sure if anyone still wants info about the Mater Mothers, but here's my story.

When I had Jayden in April 2004 I hated the Mater. I felt like I was treated like a silly first time mum. I really didn't like the experience at all.

When we found out I was preg with bub #2 I booked into the Royal Womens Birth Centre and the Mater Mothers. The Royal B/C only take no complicated pregnancies and I wanted to be sure I could get into Mater if they couldn't have me.(I didn't want to risk having to go to the Logan)

Well around 28 weeks my bp went high so hence the B/C was cancelled and care was taken over by the Mater.

I can't say a bad word about any nurse, doctor, ward staff anyone at the Mater. They were fantastic. I developed HELLP syndrome and had bub at 32+2 weeks (3 weeks ago today) and everyone was great.

I don't know if my I was treated different second time round because of my complications, but I would go no where else but the Mater next time round.

Wishing you all lots of luck Zoe


p.s Isaac has now been transfered to the Logan Hospital (much closer to home) and they are really great as well. Not sure about the maternity section, but the nursery nurses are just as good, if not better than the mater.

[hinkley]

just bumping this thread as i am interested if any of the new mothers have anything to say about this hospital...

[tickle]

Hi there:wave:
I had my DD there 10 weeks ago. I had a c/section with major complications and they were fantastic. There will always be a midwife that you clash with or who doesn't agree with how you parent (one told me I was feeding my baby too often:rolleyes: ), but without the fantastic doctors and nurses there I would not be alive. I couldn't fault them.

[~Emmylou~]

I had my DD there in late 2004.
Nothing but positive things to say about the Mater, the middies were fantastic.

What I was happiest about - they let me deliver vaginally when I probably would have ended up with a c-section anywhere else. I had gestational diabetes, PROM at 36.3 weeks, induced looooong labour,.....but they monitored DD and I closely through the whole thing and both she and I were happy and I never once even heard the word "c-section" mentioned. :)

[dragonflyblu]

I have posted my referral off to the Mater to book in (2 weeks still no answer!). I must admit I am also nervous about the mater. I have heard that they are really good for high care but if you are having a no-complications labour then they can be a bit dismissive. I am also going to try to book into Royal Brisbane and womens Hospital as I would really like to go with the mid-wives section I think I am too late for the birth centre as I am 15 weeks and I heard that they allocate to the birth centre at 16 weeks.

I am really interested in any feedback about the mater in regards to the wards and the staff attitudes after giving birth. Also, I am hesitant about using drugs during the labour how are the staff attitudes about natural pain releif?

[Caz4alex]

Hi Girls

I booked in when i was 8 week and they rang me two days later though that was with Mater MOther's private. I would ring again and make sure everything you say on the answering machine is really clear. Maybe they couldn't understand what you said.


Carrie

[aquarius]

II am really interested in any feedback about the mater in regards to the wards and the staff attitudes after giving birth. Also, I am hesitant about using drugs during the labour how are the staff attitudes about natural pain releif?

ditto - any new mums out there like to share their experiences of mater public in brisbane, good and bad?

dragonfly i hear you - i waited nearly 2 mths to get an answer to my referral! but antenatal staff have been fantastic so far...

[Kat'smum]

Hi

I have had three bubs at the mater within the last three years :eek:

All of them have been very good.

I went to a satellite clinic (near to where I live) for all my check ups (even all obs appts can be seen there as well :thumbsup: )

My sister went to the Other clinic where you see the same group of midwives that you have during birth (and would you beileve I had one of them for my post baby care on the wards that my sister had at her birth - she was great!!!)


My first two were straight forward vaginal births with epidurals (I did try hard to have the pain free birth and they helped me greatly with encouragement but I just can't handle pain well)

My first daughter was a basic vacume extraction as I had two hours of pushing and had just had enough.

My son was an amazing birth - I had the BEST midwife ever and within two pushes he was out!!!

My recent birth (dd is now almost 12 weeks) was a scarey one. I was in labour and things were going great - dialated 4 cms - then my waters broke and I had a major cord prolapse

At first bubs heartrate dropped majorly and didnt come back up - My midwife kinda knew straight away what was happening and did an internal - It was the most scariest thing in my life, the midwife immedetley told my sis (my birth partener as well as DH) to push the emergency button and everyone came rushing. I was told I had to have an emergency c-section - The poor midwife had to keep her hand "inside" (mind you only dialated 4cms :eek: ) to keep the cord back from the head - right untill bubs was born!!!!

From the moment my waters broke to the time bubs was born (including me being put under a general) was 10 mins!!!

They saved my bubs life - I have nothing but respect for them.

My aftercare was great. It was very buisy (as it always is) but there was always someone to answer any of my questions (even had a dr ring up from ICU where my bub was overnight just to give me updates that all was fine ect)

My sister has had two bubs there and both have been fully natural (with just gas!!!!) with her first son being 9pd 9os and huge sholders!!!!

I have nothing but positives

Amanda-Jane

[kiah]

I had my first there in the Private section and it was the worst experience of my life!

I had no choice because i had heart complications...i refused to go for my second

They were understaffed, forgot to bring me food...great considering i had a csection and couldnt move...they took my catheder out and never came back to help me to the toilet...yet again gret if u cant walk

by the way it makes me sick coz we paid so much money to be treated like ****...
good luck:thumbsup:

[lillypilly]

I had my first two at the mater public, in 97 and 05. I have really short labours, both bubs born within 1.5 hours of arriving at the hospital. Having a short but very intense labour meant that I wasn't particularly aware of what was going on around me, but the after care was great. I wish I was back there this time, but building a house at the gold coast meant that we had to pick somewhere in between as we didnt' know where we'd be living when the baby came, so I'm at Logan this time. Not much very positive to say so far, except that waiting times are not too bad for antenatal visits. having c-section on 12th (7 days to go!) so we'll see how it pans out.

[Putsy]

Hi all, just found out I'm pregnant with bub numero 1.was getting worried bout the whole "public v private" Mater!! but reading all th positive stuff bout th public side has almost swayed me...still have to confirm this with my GP so she can do th referrals....so would like to hear more stories :)

[BB&D]

Ooh I was born there! All of 23.5 years ago!! LOL

Me too but i'm a little older than you nikki


i had a great experience at the mater. i went public and found the care to be great. i had some problems with bubs on the first night with her not settling so the nurse took herfor a few hours and let me get some rest. i wasn't very comfortable there - not the staff or the hospital just the fact that i wanted to be in my own home so i left early.

oh - i had one problem - the birth suite couldn't find a pair of compression stockings for me as i had forgotten to bring mine and developed some blood clots in my leg (again) and the dr that saw me after told me i didn't know what i was talking about and said the cramps i felt in my leg was just from the epidural :rolleyes: - really annoyed that they didn't believe me (especially knowing my history) and considering i had been injecting myself twice a day since i was 5 weeks pregnant.:mad: and i had to continue to do so for the next 8 months too

unfortunately i will have to do the injections for any more future pregnancies but i will remember to pack my stockings this time.

overall i will be going back to the mater for my next babies too. (maybe i can afford to go private next time - i hear they have better food :D

[leisurly]

Thank you for all the info on the mater Public, we have been advised to go there as they have the best neonatal services and I'm expecting twins.

What I would like to know from all of you who have been to the mater public, which OB were you under and what were that like, I can choose who I go to

Thanks Lx

[peta1410]

I had my son at the Mater public in Nov 04. I was transferred there from gold coast as my bub was premmie. I had to stay there a week b4 bub was born and I'm not sure if it was cabin fever or the hospital but I didn't think it was anything to write home about. The facilities were so outdated, the bathrooms left alot to be desired and the rooms are tiny. I felt so claustrophobic. The doctors didn't seem to want to talk to me and I basically had to breakdown in tears to get any answers out of them. HOWEVER...the ward staff and midwives were all fantastic and the intensive care and special care units are first class. I wouldn't go back though unless I had to, I'll try the gold coast this time and see how they are. In regards to Logan Hosp, my sister had her baby there a year ago and she raved about it. Each to their own I suppose and eveyone has good and bad stories to tell. I suppose you just have to go with what feels right and hope for the best! : ) Good Luck.

[OJandMe]

I'm going through the Maters 'Midwifery Group Practice' for Freckles. It took a while for them to get back to me after my referral, but if it's been two weeks, you should hear soon.

I've met my midwife and she's excellent, and also met the consultant who liasons with the MGP and he seems great.

The MGP is very big on natural births with minimal intervention and also early discharge from hospital after bubs is born.. which is excatly what I want.

I'm looking forward to it as the doctors I've met so far are VERY supportive of my VBAC stance and are seem very professional.

[marcy30]

Hi Girls

I had both my boys @ the MATER MOTHER PUBLIC my 1st son 04 born @ #31 weeks started off int he delivery suite but ended up in theater with an emergency C-section my 2nd last year started off in delivery suite also ended in an c-section FULL-TERM i loved both times postnatal with #2 was better as i had the same midwives looking after me for the 2 nights i was in hospital but i must say i love the mater i'll be going back for #3 when that one happens. The midwives i had while i was in labour where lovely and explained everything to me about what was going on, the better midwife i has was when i was in labour with DS#2 he was gr8 jsut basically left us too it and if i needed enything he just came and helped, Yes i had a male midwife and i can recommend it they dont interfer to much.

GOODLUCK WITH UR SEARCH!!!!!!!!!

Marcy30

[aquarius]

hi everyone, i'm due in 2 wks and i have been seeing the midwives at mater public for my whole pregnancy with the occasional visit to my GP. i guess i don't know how well they'll support me in labour until i get there, but so far the midwives have been very nice and professional and they are big on all the things that are important to me such as active labour and skin to skin contact asap after birth. during our antenatal education classes they took us on a tour of the delivery rooms, they're not that flash but they seemed clean enough and there was plenty of room around the bed and in the bathroom for walking around or trying different positions (with CD player, oil burner and a recliner chair for your support person!) my only gripe with the hospital so far is that in the brochure they send you, they tell you that the same midwives who look after you in the antenatal clinic are the same ones who will be looking after you in labour (shifts permitting). i checked this with one of the antenatal midwives but she said it's not true, they have two different teams of midwives, one in the antenatal clinic and then another team that actually looks after women in labour. but that's my only gripe so far. hope this is useful :wave:

[marcy30]

Hi
When i had my boys @ the Mater Public, all the midwives where just gr8, i really liked the one in Antenatal they where lovley they had time to sit and listen to u and what u wanted, the midwives i had during labour where just as wonderful i had a active labour with both so i was able to move around the room and stay active which is what i liked, even though both my labours ended in having to have a c-section i cant complain about anything in regards to my experience with the mater mothers hospital, my postnatal care with my 2nd baby i had the same midwives all 3 days i was in hospital whiuch was good as i got to know them and they got to know what i wanted with regards to my care and my babies.
We're currently tring for baby #3 which i'll be4 going back to the Mater Mothers again which will be my last time.

Marcy

[*mumof4*]

I've had 3 baby's at the Mater Mother's Public. My 1st was an emerg c-section then my other 2 were VBAC. As far as labour, birth, the dr's and midwives go, it's pretty much the same as every other hospital and it does depend on who you get also. I had a horrible midwife with my 2nd labour...but luckily her shift ended and I had a really GREAT midwife for the delivery :D

The hospital rooms and facilties are OLD...and the parking costs TOO much! But all in all, comparing the CARE I had at the Mater to the other hospital i went to with my 4th baby....I'd say they are the same. I found no-matter where I went, I had to remind staff of things they needed to check ect after baby was born, remind them of my painkillers needed and things like that which was something I experienced with every birth. Like I said before...I think it really depends on who's on at the time looking after you :)

[little_fish]

I'm also in the midwifery group practice there, and they tell you that one of the 3 midwifes you get to know from you clinics will be with you at the birth (and available for 6 weeks after!), so no new faces. I am pretty impressed with the programme so far. So much so, I even turned down the place at the RWH Birthing Clinic.

My friend had her baby there on the weekend, and they ran out of beds in the public so she got a free upgrade to a private room.

[aquarius]

hey there now i've had my bub i just wanted to share my experience of mater public in case anyone's looking for this info in future... if you're curious please pm me coz there is just too much detail to go into here, but i won't be going back. bad management of the actual birth, bad management afterwards of the complications i had (vacuum extraction, 4th degree tearing, distressed bub in special care ward), horrible conditions in postnatal ward, and the hospital is still making mistakes even now with documentation, follow-up appointments etc. if i ever have another baby (and let me tell you after this horrible experience it's a very big IF) i'll be going elsewhere and i'll be going private.

[madreader]

I have had all of my babies at the Mater Mothers and i have never encountered any problems whatsoever. They are the most helpful, considerate and patient lot you are ever to meet. They get a big tick from me.:thumbsup:

[tammac77]

Hi,

I'm with the Aquarius on this one - my experience (December 2005) at Mater Public was terrible.

The hospital was filthy - there 5 days without having my sheets changed, despite being bloodstained. My husband changed them in the end. Blood and faeces on the toilet seat every time I went - sorry for being graphic, but it is true!

No help with breastfeeding, midwives didn't believe I had no milk and my baby got dehydrated. I'll never go back there. I'm having a c-section due to breech baby in 11 days and I've been going to Redland Public Hospital - it is so much better!! The doctors actually seem to care, they don't rush you out of appointments. They've been fantastic. It's been worth the half hour drive, even though Mater is only 5mins away.

I think the problem with Mater is it is too big, too old and way too understaffed.

That's just my opinion!

Tammac

[aquarius]

tammac you hit the nail on the head exactly, every single thing u said, i experienced as well. horrid place. all the best with your new bub xx

[mum_I'm_hungry]

Hey gals :wave:. Just a quick call out to all those heading off to the Mater Mothers (public) in the next three months. My husband has just started working there as an anaesthetist and I thought it might be interesting to see how many bubhubbers he ends up with as patients. His name is Dave. He does a brilliant epidural :laughing:. Good luck to you all... :thumbsup:

[krisash]

hi all, i had my DD at the mater mothers but Private not public. but i was in a public birthing suite as the private was full. even in the private rooms are nothing flash (especially if you get a single bed room). although i can't knock the nurses they were all (except 1) excellent and like someone else said the food was fantastic. it was like a buffet menu for brekfast, lunch and dinner and really yummy. the building itself was in pretty bad condition. i was hopeing that the new building would be open in time for our next but accidents happen and we fall pg sooner than we expected. so i will be back there in november.
when i rang to book in they said the new building will hopefully be open by june 2008 and it is supposed to have all the best birthing suites you will find anywhere, including spa's and water births.

[kadownie]

Just in response to the new Mater Mothers- unfortunatley the information you were given is wrong- there will be baths (a deeper, longer version of a normal bath) but no spas and at this stage no water birth- just water immersion in labour- out of the bath to birth. Hopefully this will change and women will be able to birth in water.

It is a pity that they haven't put good lovely spas in- there were discussions from consumer groups- but at this stage it's a no go. However the birthing rooms are quite nice and the post natal rooms are lovely too.

[Eloise&Charlie'sMum]

I just thought I would let you know i had my DD in Nov 05 at Mater Mother Public and I all i can say is how FANTASTIC it was...my mid wives were great (so supportive and attentive)..the ward staff were amazing ( I had alot of trouble breast feeding and they were there with me every step of the way), even once I went home the on going support I received cause of a few problem DD had with jaundice they were fantastic. I only wish I was able to have my next baby there but we have recently moved to Townsville.