BJelly
19-10-2004, 05:42 PM
Hi there,
I'm new here, but I had to vent and find out other's experiences at the Royal Women's Hospital in Brissy.
I'm 23 weeks pregnant, and just found out today that I wouldn't be able to go to antenatal classes at the hospital because they can't meet demand!
A little background: I found out quite late that I was pregnant, my periods are irregular and I didn't get any morning sickness and we'd been trying for a couple of years to get pregnant without any success. In the end I was 12 weeks gone before the pregnancy was confirmed.
From the start, my pregnancy has been great, but my dealings with the hospital have been less than great. First of all when I first rang to book into the hospital, all I got was a recorded message telling me to leave my details and they would get back to me in the next 4 weeks.
I did get a reply within 2 weeks, but again it went wrong. I sent back my forms to go to the booking-in clinic, and go to antenatal classes, but I didn't hear back after a couple of weeks, so I rang the hospital .... several times .... eventually I got to speak to a real person who was unable to tell me if I was in the system, or if they had got my details. Luckily I kept pestering to find out my midwife's appointment,and they eventually gave me details over the phone, (lucky for me because the letter they sent me went to the wrong address). I easily could have missed my first hospital appointment and would not have known until I was nearly 20 weeks. The booking in system was totally dehumanising and I felt completely out of the loop - not a good when the system's stated aim is to be caring, compassionate and assist team-building.
The booking-in appointment with the midwife went well - she was very helpful and kind.
Then we had the 20 week ultrasound. We brought along a video tape and CD, just in case we could record the US - friends had said that it was common thing to do. Also, after having an earlier US at a private clinic to confirm the baby's due date early in the pregnancy, we had a CDRom of still images from week 12.
The US technician was bossy and got my husband offside straight away - and he's a very easy going guy - he was still seething about the experience late that night. She definitely was not in a good mood to start with, but she seemed to relax as the US went on. We asked about getting a video tape of the US, but she said no, with no explanation, despite a video recorder being in plain view under the monitor in a newly built hospital wing (The building only been around for a year or two). We didn't bother asking about the CD. We did get some still images which were very nice.
Today I got a phone call saying that the letter they'd sent me about the lack of antenatal classes had been returned - they'd sent it to the wrong address - AGAIN! I was gobsmacked ... I'm now wondering what I've gotten myself into. I'm trying to stay positive ... I couldn't get a spot at the Birth Centre. I'd love the option of trying a water birth, - the hospital has spent heaps on a new building and facilities including birthing baths which it has banned women from using, even for pain relief. I am so disappointed. I know it won't do me or the baby any good to get upset, so I'll focus on what things I can do - I did get a place with the Phoenix midwives group at the hospital - it's kind of like a compromise the hospital has come up with to appease women who weren't able to get into the Birth Centre - so I'm hoping they will be helpful and supportive and assist me to have as natural a birth as possible.
Hopefully my case is a rare one - maybe I've just been unlucky. But I'm curious to hear from others about their experiences with the RB&WH. Needless to say, I'll be sending in a letter to the Qld Review of Maternity services.
Sorry for raving on.
For anyone interested in participating in the review of maternity services in Qld, submissions close Monday November 1 2004, read on ..
The review is looking at health services provided to women during pregnancy, birth and one month post-birth. It is aimed at improving choices for women, within a framework of safety and sustainability and with particular attention to midwifery models of care.
Written submissions can be sent to:
Review of Maternity Services in Queensland
P O Box 910
Brisbane Albert Street, Qld 4002
or email: info@maternityservicesreviewqld.net.au
You can phone them on 07 3235 9038; fax 07 3235 9033
I'm new here, but I had to vent and find out other's experiences at the Royal Women's Hospital in Brissy.
I'm 23 weeks pregnant, and just found out today that I wouldn't be able to go to antenatal classes at the hospital because they can't meet demand!
A little background: I found out quite late that I was pregnant, my periods are irregular and I didn't get any morning sickness and we'd been trying for a couple of years to get pregnant without any success. In the end I was 12 weeks gone before the pregnancy was confirmed.
From the start, my pregnancy has been great, but my dealings with the hospital have been less than great. First of all when I first rang to book into the hospital, all I got was a recorded message telling me to leave my details and they would get back to me in the next 4 weeks.
I did get a reply within 2 weeks, but again it went wrong. I sent back my forms to go to the booking-in clinic, and go to antenatal classes, but I didn't hear back after a couple of weeks, so I rang the hospital .... several times .... eventually I got to speak to a real person who was unable to tell me if I was in the system, or if they had got my details. Luckily I kept pestering to find out my midwife's appointment,and they eventually gave me details over the phone, (lucky for me because the letter they sent me went to the wrong address). I easily could have missed my first hospital appointment and would not have known until I was nearly 20 weeks. The booking in system was totally dehumanising and I felt completely out of the loop - not a good when the system's stated aim is to be caring, compassionate and assist team-building.
The booking-in appointment with the midwife went well - she was very helpful and kind.
Then we had the 20 week ultrasound. We brought along a video tape and CD, just in case we could record the US - friends had said that it was common thing to do. Also, after having an earlier US at a private clinic to confirm the baby's due date early in the pregnancy, we had a CDRom of still images from week 12.
The US technician was bossy and got my husband offside straight away - and he's a very easy going guy - he was still seething about the experience late that night. She definitely was not in a good mood to start with, but she seemed to relax as the US went on. We asked about getting a video tape of the US, but she said no, with no explanation, despite a video recorder being in plain view under the monitor in a newly built hospital wing (The building only been around for a year or two). We didn't bother asking about the CD. We did get some still images which were very nice.
Today I got a phone call saying that the letter they'd sent me about the lack of antenatal classes had been returned - they'd sent it to the wrong address - AGAIN! I was gobsmacked ... I'm now wondering what I've gotten myself into. I'm trying to stay positive ... I couldn't get a spot at the Birth Centre. I'd love the option of trying a water birth, - the hospital has spent heaps on a new building and facilities including birthing baths which it has banned women from using, even for pain relief. I am so disappointed. I know it won't do me or the baby any good to get upset, so I'll focus on what things I can do - I did get a place with the Phoenix midwives group at the hospital - it's kind of like a compromise the hospital has come up with to appease women who weren't able to get into the Birth Centre - so I'm hoping they will be helpful and supportive and assist me to have as natural a birth as possible.
Hopefully my case is a rare one - maybe I've just been unlucky. But I'm curious to hear from others about their experiences with the RB&WH. Needless to say, I'll be sending in a letter to the Qld Review of Maternity services.
Sorry for raving on.
For anyone interested in participating in the review of maternity services in Qld, submissions close Monday November 1 2004, read on ..
The review is looking at health services provided to women during pregnancy, birth and one month post-birth. It is aimed at improving choices for women, within a framework of safety and sustainability and with particular attention to midwifery models of care.
Written submissions can be sent to:
Review of Maternity Services in Queensland
P O Box 910
Brisbane Albert Street, Qld 4002
or email: info@maternityservicesreviewqld.net.au
You can phone them on 07 3235 9038; fax 07 3235 9033