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View Full Version : Is it possible to switch to another hospital that is not in your area?



beebs
03-12-2007, 19:32
I had a pretty awful experience at the hospital I gave birth in last year, consisting of, but not entirely
* the induction ( 6 pessarys over three days and when that didnt work cintosin drip sp?) prostireor baby, ventouse delivery, baby in distress the whole active labour (14 hours) Ob running in saying 'emergency C section, because the baby is in distress' one minute and then leaving the room and not seeing any one for ages and then a new OB coming in saying nothing about C section. All the while we could hear that baby's heartbeat wasnt doing well. Baby born blue and not breathing, Rushed down to neonatal care, DH going with him to make sure he was ok, and me lying on the bed after being awake for 3 days( because of all the inducing) coverred in blood and screaming "where is my baby, can someone tell me if my baby is alright". Until finally after 90 mins my DH came back up to find me hysterical thinking the worst, when in fact he was fine. Being prescribed endon withought once seeing a doctor on the ward and it causing terrible halucinations the entire time, baby on the uv bed, me not being able to get out of bed because my back was gone from the prostieror birth and having an awful midwife who just yelled at me the whole time and told me to "stop being lazy and get out of bed or else I could get a blood clot and die". Among other things - And that isnt even the worst of what she said, by the end of the first day, not only was I not well, I was terrified of her. And the cherry on the cake is because I was so spaced on endone they didnt pick up the fact that I had a uterus infecition and sent me home with a brand new baby, where I quickly deteriorated and had to go onto antibiotics for 6 weeks with one thing after another. I felt that I was pressured into an induction in the first place after only 9 days....I think it all went downhill from there. After all that though - I am getting clucky, but to be honest - just the sight of the hospital makes me sick. I have heard that you have to go to the hospital in your local area....is that true? I just couldnt think of going into that hospital again.
PS - after reading all your inspiring posts I have decided that when I do go for baby number two that I will get a doula and I will not let anyone push me around or yell at me or pressure me to do things that I dont want to do. So thanks for that everyone!

Noah_and_Elijah
03-12-2007, 19:48
Well I live in Brisbane and I have about 6 or 7 maternity hospitals in very close distance to me yet I've chosen to birth in one that is now close to 80km away from me, why? Because I love it there!!

I may give birth in the car on the way there but it's worth it IMO.

I love my hospital so am prepared to travel to get there.

beebs
03-12-2007, 19:52
The reason I asked is because when i mentioned it to my GP he said I had to do it in the hospital that was in my local council area because I dont have private health.... I was hoping there was a loop hole or something:)

kadownie
04-12-2007, 21:59
Do you have another hospy in mind- maybe you could ring that hospy and talk to someone- someone in management about your prior experience and ask if they could take you next time... I know people that have done that here in Brisbane..

Good idea about the doula..makes a huge difference!

0BleSseD0
05-12-2007, 00:22
Wow I am sorry that you had this sort of experience..

I'm not sure where you are, but with my DD I toured and 'interviewed' hospitals until I found one that had policies and beliefs that were as close to mine as possible.

Remember, you dont HAVE to be in any hospital.
It is a choice, and you have the right to choose where and how you will deliver your baby.

Good luck, I hope you find what you are looking for.

FunkyMonkey
05-12-2007, 00:27
Well I live in Brisbane and I have about 6 or 7 maternity hospitals in very close distance to me yet I've chosen to birth in one that is now close to 80km away from me, why? Because I love it there!!

I may give birth in the car on the way there but it's worth it IMO.

I love my hospital so am prepared to travel to get there.
Can I ask where you will be birthing? Wouldn't be Nambour hospital would it?? I've heard really great things about their maternity ward.

0BleSseD0
05-12-2007, 00:35
The reason I asked is because when i mentioned it to my GP he said I had to do it in the hospital that was in my local council area because I dont have private health.... I was hoping there was a loop hole or something:)

A doctor said that to me too... I dont think kindly of him either.

I am and was a public patient, and still got to choose.

Mischief
06-12-2007, 20:09
You should be able to choose! Its like saying that if you were in Tasmania when you went into labour you would need to jump on a plane and go back to the hospital in your local area! :rolleyes:

Stupid Dr.... Question the hospitals! They will soon tell you!

StudentMeg
15-07-2008, 02:08
I had a pretty awful experience at the hospital I gave birth in last year, consisting of, but not entirely
* the induction ( 6 pessarys over three days and when that didnt work cintosin drip sp?) prostireor baby, ventouse delivery, baby in distress the whole active labour (14 hours) Ob running in saying 'emergency C section, because the baby is in distress' one minute and then leaving the room and not seeing any one for ages and then a new OB coming in saying nothing about C section. All the while we could hear that baby's heartbeat wasnt doing well. Baby born blue and not breathing, Rushed down to neonatal care, DH going with him to make sure he was ok, and me lying on the bed after being awake for 3 days( because of all the inducing) coverred in blood and screaming "where is my baby, can someone tell me if my baby is alright". Until finally after 90 mins my DH came back up to find me hysterical thinking the worst, when in fact he was fine. Being prescribed endon withought once seeing a doctor on the ward and it causing terrible halucinations the entire time, baby on the uv bed, me not being able to get out of bed because my back was gone from the prostieror birth and having an awful midwife who just yelled at me the whole time and told me to "stop being lazy and get out of bed or else I could get a blood clot and die". Among other things - And that isnt even the worst of what she said, by the end of the first day, not only was I not well, I was terrified of her. And the cherry on the cake is because I was so spaced on endone they didnt pick up the fact that I had a uterus infecition and sent me home with a brand new baby, where I quickly deteriorated and had to go onto antibiotics for 6 weeks with one thing after another. I felt that I was pressured into an induction in the first place after only 9 days....I think it all went downhill from there. After all that though - I am getting clucky, but to be honest - just the sight of the hospital makes me sick. I have heard that you have to go to the hospital in your local area....is that true? I just couldnt think of going into that hospital again.
PS - after reading all your inspiring posts I have decided that when I do go for baby number two that I will get a doula and I will not let anyone push me around or yell at me or pressure me to do things that I dont want to do. So thanks for that everyone!

So sorry you had such an awful experience. I can't imagine treating another human being in that way, much less a woman who has just had a traumatic birth!
I think having a doula is a fabulous idea. They can not only support you through your pregnancy and birth, but be you advocate as well. Have you considered a home birth? There is no reason why you can't have your next baby at home if you choose to, and a home birth midwife will support your choices and desires and not be driven by hospital protocol.
Remember, even if you choose to birth in a hospital next time, no one can do anything to you without your consent. My best advice would be to inform yourself as much as you can, and work on empowering yourself and developing belief in yourself. The medical establishment can be a powerful and daunting thing to confront, even more so when you are in labour, so having developed a strong sense of your own power beforehand can make that a lot easier to deal with. All the best to you :)