Mercy Hospital Mt Lawley or SJOG Subi?

[pollyana]

Any thoughts or advice on what hospital is better either Mercy or SJOG Subi? I've heard mixed reviews about SJOG being too busy and the aftercare not being as good as Mercy. It's first bub too :)

Thought I'd put the question out there... Thank you in advance for your help.

[srguitargirl]

I loved being at Mercy in Mt lawley the midwives were great well most you do get the odd one and the lactaction consultant was lovely and it was more like being in a hotel yes you do have to ask for help if you want it but they are willing to give it to you and if not they will be there as back up while you get to know your bubs it was prefect for me and my family

[HART]

I had all three of my chn at Mercy and love it there... the majority of the midwives were great, the views are beautiful I loved waking up early watchin the row boats on the water and the rooms are huge compared to some of the other maternity wards I have seen.

My only advice would be book your OB as soon as possible - they book up really quickly....

[LittleLew]

I had my DS 1 yr ago at SJOG Subi, it was amazing!!! The midwives were fabulous, I could have stayed there forever! They also have a nursery from 11 each night to look after bubs- that was fabulous! I had Michael Gannon as my Ob, couldn't recommend him highly enough. Unfortunately we live in Brisbane now, wish we could go to SJOG again, but a hefty commute!! Also, the best thing about SJOG is the pre birth care. Morning Teas each week with great midwifes for support & advice. After birth, there is a weekly morning tea, with volunteers to look after babies while mums have a few hours to ask advice of early child care nurse- amazing & so supportive!! Loved it!!

[pollyana]

Thank you! You have been most helpful. I have decided on SJOG Subi, it's also closer. Now just to get pregnant. Thank you very much :)

[Shh]

I'm going to go and look at SJOG tomorrow. My obs delivers at both and gave me the choice (I originally was told Mercy wasn't an option).

Both hospitals run tours of ward and delivery suites on Sundays at 2pm. You can just turn up.

The classes are what is swaying me towards SJOG.

I can also recommend Dr Lewis. His rooms are in Subiaco. He is very straightforward, explains things and his fees are very reasonable. He is said to have a low intervention rate if that is important to you.

[LittleLew]

Dr Lewis delivered my DS, as my OB Dr Gannon was not available. Our DS was delivered without any problems so I can't complain too much, but shocking bedside manner and anti my wishes re an epidural, which my OB later confirmed shouldve been a problem. The midwives were amazing and really had my back defending our birth. All turned out ok, but wouldn't go down that track again

[kristybabe]

I had all three of my chn at Mercy and love it there... the majority of the midwives were great, the views are beautiful I loved waking up early watchin the row boats on the water and the rooms are huge compared to some of the other maternity wards I have seen.

My only advice would be book your OB as soon as possible - they book up really quickly....


Can i ask what Ob you had? Did you have the same for all 3?

[HART]

Hi Kristybabe.... no I actually had a different OB for all 3. Firstly I had Dr Chow (who has passed away), then Dr Anne Yoong (who doesnt to ob anymore) and then Dr Donald Clark - who didn't end up being my OB as he was away that week so I had Dr Glen Lewis - he only did my stitches as it was a very fast labour and my DD ended up being delivered by by husband.... I really like Dr Lewis seemed to have a nice nature and bed side manner... hope it is some help...

[kristybabe]

Thanks tigers mum,

We are TTC at the moment, just started, so trying to look out for any recommendations of Ob's for Mercy..

Thanks for your help..

[clevermum]

My friend is currently booked with Dr Patrick Wu at Mercy. He seemed very caring and polite. I think he belongs to a new group of obs called Perth Obstetrics and Gynaecology Specialists. Apparently he's an ex concert pianist and very skillful with his hands. That should be good as my friend is having a Caesar for some medical reason. They've got comfey couch in the waiting room too.

[nicplus4]

I have four children. Twins delivered at SJOG Subi, daughter delivered at SJOG Subi and Son delivered at Mercy. It was a VERY difficult decision to change hospitals because it meant changing Ob (I had Tim Jeffery for my first three). What a wonderful doctor. Unfortunately my second delivery and that of a couple of my friends since turned me off SJOG Subi. I really felt like a number, actually got told off by a night nurse for taking too long on the breast pump one night (had me in tears - told me to "get a hold of myself"). This also happened to my good friend. Two days post delivery they couldn't wait to get us out the door. Nearly every shift asked "when was I going home" it was only for my Dr who told me whenever I wanted to that I stayed 6 days. Mercy a whole different experience. Small, bit like a boutique hotel, food lovely, rooms lovely and my new Ob, Dr Donald Clark, divine. I always found him to be open to all discussions, not at all pro c-section like I read in previous posts (never came up in discussion at all, except for him to say that he would not be prepared to turn a breech baby). Ran well to time, and was advised if he wasn't BEFORE I arrived. NEVER felt rushed in fact, I felt very very cared for. I cannot speak highly enough of him. Mercy also much more relaxed about visiting (and prepared to keep people out if you need them to be).

[mrmoosmum]

I had DS1 at SJOG subi and had a great experience - only one not so good middie, lots of BF help, great support program afterwards etc. However they have a new policy now on labours - all women have to be monitored (went on a tour a couple of months ago trying to get a feel for obs from the middies). I asked about showers and they said some obs might let you go in the shower for 15 minutes or so and then come out and be monitored again. Apparently 80% of women have epidurals there (so the middie taking the tour told me) and some of the junior middies there have minimal experience with drug free deliveries.

[Hopeosh]

I had DD at Mercy in 2009 and can't say I'd be in a rush to go back there. We chose Mercy as it was closest to home. I needed a booked C/S in the end but didn't enjoy my time there. On the morning of my op, the nurse forgot my pre-med, I have no idea who my Midwife was (she apparently popped into the operating theater just as things were about to get started), if you do need a C/S, you are separated from your baby to go to recovery while you baby goes to the nursery. I was not offered skin-to-skin at any time during my stay, requests for me to see the physio and lactation consultant were ignored. There were so many agency nurses that looked after me and I had no idea who was a midwife and who wasn't. On the day we decided to leave I had a massive list of questions I wanted answered and the nurse doing my discharge check said that it should have been done on day 4 (i left on day 6).

They do have nice big rooms with double beds but they were not comfortable to sleep on. Both DH and I are tall so we asked for the foot of the bed to be removed but we were told that it doesn't come off. Friends were at Mercy a week later and the foot of the bed DOES come off.

Plenty of people have good experiences there but it wasn't the case for me unfortunately.

[firstborn]

Mercy Hospital :)
I arrived back in Perth after spending a few years in Brisbane. I was 18 weeks pregnant and could not find a private obstetrician anywhere. My friend who is a middy at King Edward hospital told me about Dr Pierre Smith who started in a new private practice in Mercy. (She says he is the best obstetrician she has ever worked with and he is caring, patient and respects the opinion of midwifes.) Dr Smith does not deliver at SJOG Subi so I have to go to Mercy.
I did a tour of both hospitals. The rooms in Mercy is definitely bigger and they all have double beds. It is an older hospital but does not feel as cold and clinical as SJOG Subi. I also heard their (Mercy) caeserean section rates are the lowest of any private hospital in Perth.
I guess I am biased but from what I have seen (and heard) Mercy seems to be the hospital to go to.

[Newbie31]

All these replies are so helpful!!

I am considering the same question at the moment. I have booked in with Dr Charles Anrstrong in Mercy. Does anyone have any feedback about him by any chance? Has anyone had to have an emergency c-section at Mercy? I have heard that they may not have a resident anaethesist?

[nicplus4]

All these replies are so helpful!!

I am considering the same question at the moment. I have booked in with Dr Charles Anrstrong in Mercy. Does anyone have any feedback about him by any chance? Has anyone had to have an emergency c-section at Mercy? I have heard that they may not have a resident anaethesist?

Have heard good things about Dr Armstrong (my husband is a Dr at Mercy) and we currently have a friend who is going to him. With regards to anaethesist, my understanding is SJOG does not have a resident anaethesist also. The way it works is there are usually three or four who share an "on call" situation. So you go to whoever is on that day. Most anaethesist's have private practices and they assist surgeons usually starting at around 8am most days. If you have decided on an epidural, it is most important to get it down before this time (or hooked up) as I did (minus the drugs until I needed them) before this time. That way you won't run into the "too late for the epidural" comment! I have always used the "on call" anaethesist (I have 4 including twins) and have been most happy with whoever I have had. You would almost find it impossible to have someone privately booked waiting for whenever you went into labour. Ask your Ob does he have someone he uses or does he use the on call guys at Mercy. My husband VERY impressed with the anaethetist we had at Mercy (Dr Theyer) Hope this helps!!

[Newbie31]

Thanks nicplus4! Wow- 4 little ones! I guess what I am worried about is that if there is something wrong with the bub and they have to act straight away, that damage could be caused if we had to wait around for an anaethesist. But if, as you say, I am already hooked up to the epi, there shouldn't be any need to wait, is that right? Thanks for the review on Mercy, I really want to go there as it seems so lovely and intimate but was drawn to the neonatal care in SJOG, you know, 'just in case'!

[nicplus4]

Yes, newbie, you are correct in if your epidural is "hooked up" when you arrive, it is then only used when and if you are ready for it. For my third child, I didn't need anything for a good couple of hours but when I did, the nurse just had to get hold of the already drawn up dose and pop it into the drip. The only downside is you can't walk around. I had no problem with this, I just snoozed and read my book. I must stress YOU need to discuss this with your ob and make it clear at your pre-admission interview that is what you want. When I was at SJOG, I had a very insistent midwife ask me to "just see how you go and we can always get you the eipdural later". Sure they can if they have an anethesist available immediately because unless you are going to theatre it is considered non urgent. The best advice I can give is discuss your options with your ob, be very clear with pre-admissions and whoever you see when you first get to the hospital. I found the line that works the best is "Dr .... and I have discussed this at length and we decided ......." EVERYONE will have an opinion on what you should do but as my sister in law said with the birth of her first child, even though she really wanted an epidural, she was convinced by nursing staff she would be able to handle it. As it was their first baby (and this happens with everyone) you feel like you shouldn't really be insistent. By the time her labour had finished (it was too late to get an epidural by the time the anethesist got to her, her Ob told her it had certainly been a very traumatic birth). second time around, she insisted she have it straight away, called for the top ups when needed and was fine. No one knows their tolerance to labour until you go through it. I just knew I had a very low pain threshold and had a very enjoyable pain free experience. However, I have a friend that has 8 children who told me she feels no pain and sometimes just needs a panadol. My understanding is, just because you get hooked up to an epidural does not mean you have to use it. Hope this helps.

[Lucy2510]

All these replies are so helpful!!

I am considering the same question at the moment. I have booked in with Dr Charles Anrstrong in Mercy. Does anyone have any feedback about him by any chance? Has anyone had to have an emergency c-section at Mercy? I have heard that they may not have a resident anaethesist?

I had Dr Armstrong for my daugher who was born by c section last year, I couldn't get her out vaginally so in a way it was an emergency. I'm pregnant again and using him. I recovered very well from my cesarean, I saw some family friends 5 weeks after the c section who are nurses, 1 midwife and the other a theatre nurse. They were impressed how easily I could get up from the ground and my scare was healing nicely. I would recommend him to anyone. My stay at Mercy was great, the midwives and nurses share so much about settling babies and little things you dont realise you need to know. I was there for 6 days and was checked on daily to make sure I was breastfeeding correctly etc. I'm looking forward to going back again :)