Freemasons or St Vincents (Melb)

[singa06]

I have to choose one very soon and am not sure.

I am a little concerned about the small rooms at Freemasons ( I have a big immediate family!).

I would hope for a double bed for Dh

I am also concerned about nurse care after delivery (first timer!).

I am not too worried about food (I heard vinnies isnt that great, but I am not a fussy eater).

Thanks!

[singa06]

Bump

[cath]

Hi,
I would say that the rooms at St Vincents are smaller than Freemasons. I had my first at Freemasons and have visited friends at St Vincents. Some of the rooms at Freemasons are bigger than others - luck of the draw a bit I think. I think the midwives at Freemasons are overall better than St Vincents. My friend who has had 2 babies at St Vincents had minimal assistance with breastfeeding there which is not a good thing wheras I found them pretty good at Freemasons (once I worked out I had to buzz them every time I was about to feed - I was on that buzzer all the time - you have to harrass them but who cares - you need help when you are doing it for the first time). Good luck with your decision but I would probably recommend Freemasons over St Vincents.

Cath

[singa06]

Thanks for that info. I had my lap surgery at the epworth and IVF and found the staff fantastic. I saw on the website that freemasons is in fact Epworth freemasons, so I hope the staff are just as fantastic!

[singa06]

Sorry to bump, but it would be good to have other opinions!!

[siansmum]

I had my daughter at St. Vincent's back in September 2006 and was happy with it and would go back there next time. My Obstetrician was David O'Callaghan and he was great. I had a huge room with a double bed - the ensuite was very tiny and the shower leaked water everywhere, but I just went through more towels!!!
I found the staff to be lovely and very attentive (despite one midwife telling me to, "calm down and get it together", during labour!). Probably the only disappointment was the food. In fact it was very ordinary, but then you're not dining at a five star restaurant, are you?! Compared with the food at Mitcham Private where I went for Sleep School, nine weeks later, St. Vincent's was poor. Next time I'll get my Mum and Dad or husband to bring in extras!
Having said all that, I think the most important reason for choosing a hospital, is the level of care that they can provide both you and your baby, and with that in mind, I'd recommend St. Vincent's. Hope that helps!

[Malu]

Hi I went to Freemasons and found all the staff in delivery, the ward and in special care to be excellent - don't be afraid too buzz and ask for help its there job to come help. The rooms vary in size and the food is good. I liked that delivery, maternity ward and special care are all on the same level; where as at St vs the ward is on the 4th floor and delivery and special care is on the 3rd.

On another note: My girlfriend had a baby boy on Thursday at St Vs and she found them disorganised on arrival to delivery (she had phoned ahead to tell them of her eta so they knew she was coming) and the room was not ready although it had been empty for sometime - she had bub within 30min of arrival, which was a mad panic for staff. Anyway her experience was not that great and she didnt give a glowing recommendation.

Go for a tour, each hospital runs these then you can get a 'feel' for each place.

Good luck with your decision :)

[KiahsMum]

I had my DD at Freemasons in 2007 and I am currently struggling with the decision of which hospital to attend. My DD was fed formula without my knowledge or consent, she was taken from me the night she was born as I had a C/S and still had the catheter in and was told I couldn't care for her, since found out they should not have done this. I was given next to no help with breastfeeding and have since been told that St Vincents is more supportive of breastfeeding. One midwife had me in tears as she kicked me out of the nursery feeding room due to how long it was taking despite the fact I had to feed and express which takes time. When I tried to get an extra day at the breastfeeding clinic I was just told to persevere, plenty of women do. Maybe I was just really unlucky and I did have some lovely midwives but overall was not impressed with Freemasons.

[singa06]

Kiahsmum: sorry to hear about your bad experience. Decisions, decisions!!

[emma2938]

FREEMASONS!!

I just had my bub there and could not fault the delivery suite team, the midwives on the ward, the food, anytyhing, it was all fantastic. They knew we lived two hours away, and so kept a room aside for us so my husband could stay with me, even though plenty of people finished having their baby before me!!

All in al, they were exceptional!:yelclap:

[singa06]

I think I am now leaning towards Freemason...!

[Lissa7]

yes go with Freemasons it's brilliant

[giraffe]

Hi

I had my first baby at St Vincent's last year and found the midwives (most of them), general care and even the food to be good.

I am due to have my second child in the middle of this year and my obstetrician's rooms are at Freemasons, so I considered going there just for the convenience. However, when I sent for the brochure, it stated that not all the rooms were private at Freemasons, whereas they are at St Vincent's. That really put me off, so I have decided to go St V's again.

Hope that helps!

[singa06]

I read that 48 rooms at freemasons were private (single), 4 private (double) and only 4 shared. I read in the brochure that if you are placed in a shared room your will be moved to a private room as soon as one became available. So I am thinking that they are 'back-up' rooms only for peak times.

[debplus3]

I am sure you have made your decision by now. But I thought I would add that I have had 2 children at St V's and about to have my 3rd there. The mid-wives I had for both births were EXCELLENT. One actually delivered my DS as he arrived a bit too fast for my OB to make it to the hospital.
I found the rooms, bathrooms, food all to be excellent. When I had DS I ended up in a massive corner room with a lounge suite and a nice big bed!
I had one nurse who was a bit abrupt when I had DD, but you will get that in every hospital.
They are all good hospitals with good reputations and I am sure you will get treated well wherever you go!

[singa06]

That's true! From my reading, they are both excellent, that is why it was so hard to choose!