Anyone ever been to the Mater Mothers Hospital in Brisbane?

[MilliesMumma]

What was your experience like?

I'm in the new under 21 program, theres is a group of December mums, and we each have an assigned midwife, we go to groups together etc & get to know the other midwifes in case ours isn't available when we go into labour.
We also get home calls up to 6 weeks after bub to help us with breastfeeding etc.

They seem great!

Anyone been to the Mater and want to share your experience?

Thanks :)

[mumof 2boys]

All 3 of my bubs were born at Mater! They were fantastic every time.
2 perfect drug free vaginal births and 1 emergency c-section due to bub being oblique breech and going into labour at 36+6 weeks.

I am also a Doula so have experience at the Mater as a Doula too. Everytime they have been great! Alot better than some other hospitals.

Congratulations on your bub and i hope your experience with the Mater is just as good as mine!

[MilliesMumma]

Thats great to hear.

I've heard alot about other hospitals around and it scared me...

I went with Mater because that's where I was born, but I don't really know anyone who has had their bub there.

Im glad you had a good experience, hopefully i do too. Lets hope I have a drug-free labour also! lol

[MumToBabyGirlPhoenix]

I had my daughter there and will be going back in 2 weeks to have my second. I had a natural drug free birth at 31 weeks (baby was prem) I couldn't fault their services, especially with the care my daughter was given in the NICU/SCN. I too am in the young mothers program although next time I will opt out, I find them very uncomfortable and not very personal. Good luck with everything .

[MilliesMumma]

I had my daughter there and will be going back in 2 weeks to have my second. I had a natural drug free birth at 31 weeks (baby was prem) I couldn't fault their services, especially with the care my daughter was given in the NICU/SCN. I too am in the young mothers program although next time I will opt out, I find them very uncomfortable and not very personal. Good luck with everything .

Thats good to hear.
So glad now, looks like i've chosen a good hospital!

When are you due?

I like the young mothers program so far...only thing is, i haven't been given any info on pre-natal classes or tour of the hospital...little things like that

[MumToBabyGirlPhoenix]

It is a great hospital :) I'm due in 2 weeks. The program is good, especially being your first time around and you get to meet people around the same age. I just find it uncomfortable in a group setting where you have to ask questions, personal or not, in front of the group. I'm a very private person and don't like being examined ( having your belly checked/heart beat read etc) on the floor in front of everyone. But that's just How I feel personally. I was never given a tour of the hospital but I'm sure you can ask your midwife an they'll be able to help you.

[HarvestMoon]

I went to the young mums program going back a few years now. It was a horrible experience tbh. The midwives and social worker attached the young mothers program were the most judgemental and critical people! I left the majority of my check ups in tears.

I went to the mater second time around. Just the main part of the hospital. Was a much better experience. I was still very bitter and angry from my first experience and made the fact clear i wouldn't be taking any **** 2nd time around.
I actually got a very nice young student midwife during my second labour and a nice older midwife. They were far better then the ones i had first time around.

I think every experience is different and alot of it comes down to luck of the draw as to what midwives you get.

[madreader]

I had all three of my boys there and it is a fantastic hospital,. The staff are so so helpful.

[MissSteph]

I LOOOOOOOVE Mater Mothers!! I had my DD and DS there within the last 2 years and wouldn't even consider any other hospital for any future babies!!
For DD I did the Young womens Program and they were wonderful! I love Kirsty Lehmann.. She is such a warm and caring person. She was part of both of my pregnancies at some stage. I chose not to go back to the Young Womens Clinic the second time because I found it was more for women who had unplanned pregnancies or were suffering from lack of support etc. Both of our children were planned so I was more comfortable going straight through the hospital for my appointments.

Second time I had an assigned midwife throughout m yentire pregnancy, except the last couple of appointments as I wasn't available the times she was, plus it's good to meet other midwives. For both of my pregnancies, I didn't come across any horrible midwives. They were all kind and made me feel right at home.
Britt Nelson delivered my DS, and she was WONDERFUL!! She was definately what a midwife should be. She was excellent support! She had to do her main job (get DS out!!) but still managed to give me her hand to hold or rub my back or do something to help me feel better. While I was getting my stitches DF was with our son.. Britt held my hand and even said I can bite/squeeze her hand if I felt I needed to lol.

I honestly can't say enough good things about the Mater Hospital. I'm certain you will have a wonderful time there aswell :)

Oh, and I never got the at home visits post-birth because I was out of the area.. Mater Hospital is a good 30-35 minutes from our house!

Good luck :wave:

[MilliesMumma]

Wow, sounds like you had the perfect support! Hope I do too :) its reassuring thats for sure.

I dont know either of those midwives :confused: maybe they dont do they young mothers group anymore...my midwife is Deb, she's lovely!

I cant wait :)
I like the fact they really encourage breastfeeding. Because i dont want to give up, I want them to support me & push me to do it :) lol

[HarvestMoon]

I like the fact they really encourage breastfeeding. Because i dont want to give up, I want them to support me & push me to do it :) lol

I think its more a case of them pretending to encourage breastfeeding. I struggled with breastfeeding first time around and was told by midwives to stop and give my DS formula otherwise they would be contacting DOCs to notify them i was starving my baby.

2nd time around i had no trouble breastfeeding but they never encouraged or discouraged it.

[MissSteph]

The nurse who mainly took care of me post birth encouraged breastfeeding but as my supply was low I had no choice, I had to FF. Ds would be on the breast for 1.5 hrs then drink 40mls of formula. They were supportive of my choice to FF, cos it was best for Ds. From my experience they do really try to encourage BF and are very supportive. But I think that's the same with every hospital!

[CLW]

I went there with all three, the first time around at 18 I did feel a little judged but I am not sure if it was all my perception back then. I had to go on bed rest at the Mater with my third and found it a really positive experience, despite the difficultie I was experiencing. I am hoping I'll be accepted for number 4 as we are no longer in the area.

[mumsy2bee]

I was under the care of the Mater and delivered there too. I at the time was living NSW and had to travel 4hrs each way once a week then came up to stay in Bris at 36wks.
I had a 16hr labour that was made very stressful due to bub having serious illness that was unavoidable. During my labour i had 3 different midwives and allowed each of them to have a student with them. Each and every lady who cared for me was amazing!!! I couldnt fault one single thing! They helped keep me calm and motivate me through it all, reassuring me everything would be fine!
My after care was great also.
My bub ended up being in Mater Mothers NICU for 2wks then moved to SCN for one week before we were transferred home to our local hospital for one final wk.
If it wasnt for the Mater it would be highly unlikely that we would have ever have been able to bring our little bundle home.
Now we are in Bris and will be choosing the Mater 2nd time around (when it comes) over any other hosp!!
Lets just hope next time its a smooth sailing preg, labour and a healthy bub!!

Goodluck with your experience there!

[sweetseven]

For the pregnancy, I found they were lovely if you agreed with and followed all their policies. When you start to question their system you get problems.

After the birth, I found them respectful and accepting of the mothers (parents) choices.