North West Private - Brisbane

[Dancing Girl]

Hi Guys

I'm due for my first baby in December and am booked in at the North West Private in Brisbane.

Any feedback on antenatal classes, staff, room setups or experiences (good or bad) would be gratefully read. Also, do they have the babies room in with you or do they go to a nursery??

Thanks in advance...:D

[KathrynB]

Hi Dancing Girl,

I had my baby girl at NW last Dec. I found the hospital to be really good, although I couldn't wait to get home. I was in hospital for 5 days as I had to have a c/s and found that I wan't able to get a lot of rest as people come in and out of your room all day long.

Antenatal classes were great and really informative.

I was lucky enough to get a private room straight away which was great! By the time I left, they had people queued up waiting for rooms - people were booking in for C/s before Christmas.

If you have a C/s, bub goes into the nursery for the first night. After that, they do like you to have them room in with you. I put Gabrielle in for the second night as I was extremely tired and needed some sleep. I don't know if it was me feeling guilty or if I was overly emotional at the time, but I felt like if there wasn't a good reason to put them in the nursery, then they were not that keen on having them in the nursery at night.

The food was great, with meals coming at you left, right and centre. Hubby was able to buy meal tickets at Reception and eat dinner with me for $6 a meal I think it was.

Most of the midwives were great, ofcourse there is the odd one that isn't as friendly or helpful as the others, but overall I was happy.

Next time, I think I will get more help with breastfeeding by asking more questions etc, and if I am tired, I will ask for the baby to be sent to the nursery at a reasonable time eg 10pm, so I can get a good night's sleep......especially as I will be returning home next time with a toddler at home as well!

[mackas5]

Hi there,

I have had 2 babies at North West and I'm due to have my 3rd there at any time. (Due last Thursday!!)

Our first little boy was born by C-Section (2002) and the second I had on my own. (2004)

My first experience was a bit overwhelming actually, which no doubt is a fairly common feeling after having an emergency C-Section and then on top of that I also had trouble with my milk supply.
In terms of the hospital though, the mid-wives were great and supportive. My husband and I just went to a 1 day Antenatal class and I found it to be great and more than enough.

I too found that they don't mind you having bub in the nursery, particularly after a C-Section or if you are feeling tired. But they certainly encourage you to have the baby with you if you are feeling up to it. (Plus it prepares you for when you get home anyway).

An interesting thing I did notice was that once you've had the baby, you don't have any consistancy in mid-wives rostered to your room. They seem to like you to have lots of different people. My feeling is that this is because they don't want you to get too attached to the one mid-wife. So, if you really like one when they come to see you, ask lots of questions because you may not see her again while you're there.

It's a great hospital with comfortable rooms and surroundings which make you and your partner feel welcome.
Not sure if you know but be sure to ask for a queen size bed when you get there as I was lucky enough to get one the second time around.: thumbsup:

Any problems with breastfeeding usually come up when you get home. I rang a Lactation consultant and still use her whenever I have any questions.

Best Wishes on your exciting adventure. :D

[squiglet]

Hi (apol in advance), I just whant to bump this thread up to the top.........

I to whant to go to North West, but just whant to make sure that I am making the right choice.:confused:

[~V&M~]

This is where I'm going too :D I've heard nothing but good reports about the hospital and when I'm there I just feel calm and at ease, unlike some of the other bigger hospitals.

There are so many threads on this hospital it's not funny! Do a search, you'll find so many responses :D

[Milly]

I had a fantastic experience at NorthWest. I went to the Wesley with my first child but found Northwest a lot better. I also got to have the birth I wanted - a drug free natural birth. They were very respectful of my Birth Plan and I had the most encouraging and postive Midwife throughout the birth. My Obstetrician dropped though for the crowning of course, but basically I had the most fantastic Midwife along for the journey. As I was a second timer I did not attend the Ante Natal classes, but have still hear that they are great!

Your baby rooms in with you and this is very much encouraged:). The nursery is still available.

Also, they have a very big focus on Holistic Care and they have a Well Baby Clinic where you can take you baby at the regular increments for checkups (instead of teh Qld Health Clinc) as well which is nice.

I was very happy with my experience there. If we have another I am going back. They are expanding too. I think they start extending the wards this year and doubling their rooms.