Hunter/Newcastle Birth Experiences

[Veritas]

Hi fellow Novocastrians...

Just a couple of quick questions for those of you willing to share...

Thanks....

1. Where did you birth your child/ren?

2. Who cared for you?

3. What mode of care did you have?

4. How would you rate your antenatal, birthing and postnatal care experiences?
Cheers,

[Areca]

1. Where did you birth your child/ren?

John Hunter Hospital Birth centre (for those not wanting anything more than gas)

2. Who cared for you?
My midwife

3. What mode of care did you have?
I had a team of four midwife's...I met them all prior to giving birth but was lucky enough to have my main midwife available for my delivery.

4. How would you rate your antenatal, birthing and postnatal care experiences?
On a scale of 1-10 (1 being worst) 100 (no typo!) Seriously I could not have faulted the JHH in any way. The birth centre was FANTASTIC! I love my midwife and will be requesting her when I am pg again. She was very caring, was willing to help me find info. on different things and in the end she became an extra support person. Everyone I know that has gone there had the same experience with their midwife, and we all had different one's. I think it's because you see them the whole way through your pg and get to know them first, rather than seeing a different doctor each time, or going to your gp for your pg and then just rocking up to give birth and getting whoever is on. There were no shift changes (my midwife stayed the whole time...if it's going to be hours and hours they get anothe rmidwife from your team and then call your main midwife when you're done to the last few hours) and even when my midwife left (she'd been working for 18 hours straight and it was about 6am when she left) she was replaced with a midwife from my team.

The postnatal care was great! If sharing a room bothers you you can deliver at the JHH and then be transferred to Newcastle Private after you've had bubs to ensure your own private room (at a cost of course). I couldn't fault the midwife's on the ward and my midwfie came to see me twice (once was her day off and she came in just to see me) and then she came to the house when DD was 12 days old to see how we'd settled in and to answer my questions.

I would recommend anyone that has a trouble free pg that doesn't want an epidural (not sure if you can have peth or not) to go to the birth centre at the JHH.
Oh if you decide halfway through your labour that you want an epi, they just move you to another room...it's all in the same area so not that big a deal, but the birth centre has the bath's, the delivery suite's don't.

I personally believe I got better care than going to a private ob....when you have an ob they let midwife's handle you and then come in at the very end. My midwife was there from the moment I arrived at the hospital. She even got my toothpaste out of my bag for me when I had vomited so I could get rid of the taste so DP didn't have to leave my side.

:yelclap: :yelclap: :yelclap: :yelclap:

[vickster]

Hi Karrie,

I also had my daughter at the JJH. I went through the Birth Centre and Charli was delivered by one of the Midwives. She was fantastic! She let us do our own thing, but was right on hand if we needed her....10/10!:yelclap:

Afterwards, we transferred over to Newcastle Private. We found this a little tricky as usually the beds are all full. We were lucky enough to get a bed at 11pm (DD was born at 5.19pm) and were signed over by the OBGYN on duty at the JHH.

Now though, you need to get a letter from their resident OBGYN, before you can transfer to Newcastle Private.

The midwives there were awsome too.....a few conflicting ideas on how to breastfeed, but overall worth the transfer over!! I will DEFINATELY birth this way with the next baby when it happens.

I hope this helps!

[MrsTwith3]

Hi Karrie,

1.I birthed both of my sons at Belmont. With DS1 it was a proper maternity unit staffed by midwives and Ob's and paed's. With DS2 it is now called Belmont Birthing Services. Completely staffed by a team of 7 midwives.

2.With both boys I was cared for by just the midwives except for about 5mins with DS1 an Ob stick her head in the door.

3. I had my midwife for most part of my care with both boys. With DS2 my midi was away due to family crisis but had another BRILLIANT one deliver him.

4. I rate my care throughout as completely faultless both times. Im still seeing the midi's and they ring me a few times a week to check and see how we are all doing.
A huge thumbs up for the wonderful midwives at Belmont.

P.S. At the birthing centre the only drug available is gas and air.:yes:
They encourage you to birth in the bath which is massive and I personally highly recommend it.

Mel

[Veritas]

Thanks a heap gals....

I have just started studying to be a doula and am compiling peoples perceptions on the facilities in the area... great to get your feedback....

I too had my little gal through the birth centre at JHH... though unfortunately things didn't go exactly as planned.... but on the upside I got to experience a little of everything..... the bath in the birth centre was great... can honestly say I enjoyed the sleep that came with the epidural in the delivery suite... and the theatre team that did my c-section were just fantastic..... it was as enjoyable experience as one that goes awry can be....

Thanks again...

[SpecialMumma]

Hiya Kaz. Hopefully will be able to add myself to this thread soon.

Does that mean your a trainee Doula?

Amz xx

[WeloveHarriet]

1. Where did you birth your child/ren?
Newcastle Private Hospital

2. Who cared for you?
Jock Shumack was my OB however Glen Lowe delivered.

3. What mode of care did you have?
Fully covered by an OB during the pregnancy

4. How would you rate your antenatal, birthing and postnatal care experiences?
Absolutely brilliant. For any births with potential risks (I have a history of incompetent cervix so therefore require cerclage to carry to term plus lost our first baby due to this) you cannot beat going to an OB. Public system is fine and good should you have good pregnancies but in my experience they have a wait and see approach with difficult pregnancies. Have also watched my sister give birth twice at JH and whilst they were nice she has horrid labours of 30hrs and often requires more then 1 epidural - something she would probably not have to endure should she have chosen to go via private sector.

[Luisa]

1. Where did you birth your child/ren?
I had Isaac in the UK, he was induced.
I had Malachi and Joshua in Joondalup H/C in Perth

2. Who cared for you?
I had shared care with both my Australian Pg's and Gp Care in the UK

3. What mode of care did you have?
When I had both the Boys here I had midwife Care whilst Delivering , If thats what you mean.

In the UK you have to have a doctor present for a birth, so I had 2 people there.


4. How would you rate your antenatal, birthing and postnatal care experiences?

Isaac I would have rated about 4/10 due to being an induction and very long.

Malachi I would rate at 7/10 even though he was induced the whole procees just "felt" Different and the staff were great!

Joshua I would rate as my best as he was a spontainious labour and it just felt "natural" The midwife I had was really supportive and helpful and she was great at suggesting different possitions and ways to help the pain with pain relief IYKWIM... so he gets a 9/10

[Shanaynay]

Hi...

* Both my bubs at Maitland hospital.

* Midwife care antenatally and in labour, delivery (ob preent for first - it was a cses) and post-natally

* Excellent prenatal care both times.

* Absolutely shocking care in maternity ward afterwards both times :mad:

* 2004 labour and delivery: TERRIBLE. Midwifes and Ob - terrible.

* 2006 delivery: excellent midwife, excellent Ob :thumbsup:

[petrijack]

I had Jack at Campbelltown Hospital and Riley at Maitland Hospital.

I did shared care with GP and midwives for both pregnancies though with Riley i switched to midwife only about 28 weeks after some differences with GP.

I was induced with both boys due to high blood pressure and had midwives with me during the labours, and only had the gas.

Both times the postnatal care was great, except for one midwife. With Riley i had PPH and the care was fantastic. Couldn't fault them at all.

Overall i had really positive birth experiences even though both were induced.

[~MUMMY~]

1. Where did you birth your child/ren?
JHH.

2. Who cared for you?
Midwife

3. What mode of care did you have?
midwife and OB poped in right at the end for the delivery

4. How would you rate your antenatal, birthing and postnatal care experiences?
check ups were great because i mostly had the same widwife she was gorgeous.
but the delivery,
**** **** ****... i have convinced myself it was because i was 17 and they were trying to teach me a lesson or something to make sure i wasnt going to be back anytime soon. so made it as hard and as scarry as possible.

[Wondermum]

Hi Karrie

1. Where did you birth your child/ren?
DS1 JHH Birth centre DS2 JHH delivery ward

2. Who cared for you?
DS1 JHH antenatal cllinic (various midwives, ob)
DS2 JHH/wallsend antenatal clinic (lovely regular midwife) and GP

3. What mode of care did you have?
first pregnancy I saw different midwives every time
second pregnancy I saw a few different midwives at first then as the pregnancy progressed one of the midwives at the clinic took an interest in me and my pregnancy and always said to the others when she came out to grab a file 'you take 'blaa blaa' and I have Jessica". She was great and when I was in labour I went down to have a meal with DH in the cafeteria and ended up bumping into her, lol. She was so keen to be there for me she told the midwife looking after me in labour to call her when it was time for me to push and there she was holding my hand, giving me sips of drink and wiping my brow with a cool washer... she was just wonderful :hugs: It meant a great deal for me as I had no close females by who could support me through labour - my mum and sis overseas.

4. How would you rate your antenatal, birthing and postnatal care experiences? With my first pregnancy antenatal care was fairly poor as there was such a looong wait just for what turns out to be a quick 5 min check most times and I was always driving around and around the JHH car park to find a free spot. With my second pregnancy having the choice of attending clinic at Wallsend instead of JHH was great, short wait and always found a carpark with no hassles. The birth experiences were both great, even though one was in birth centre and the other delivery I still felt in control and privacy respected. Though I have to say I was blown away by the three midi's that were fighting amongst themselves about who was to catch my baby in the end :o Postnatal care with my first was terrible - I'm now certain the midwives are real :devil6: with first time mums! I saw how some of them were treating the first time mums when I was in there after giving birth to DS2. With my second the care and interactions were a great deal better. The beds are terrible (but that's just hospital beds for you, lol). I stayed 3 nights after having DS1 and 2 nights after having DS2. I find I have more support and care at home from my DH.

Both my births were vaginal. DS1 (birth centre) I had gas and bath as pain relief and required intervention in the way of an episiotomy. DS2 (delivery room) I had heat packs, a shot of morphine and gas.

Best of luck with your research ;)

[lizzymcfizzy]

I was induced with both boys due to high blood pressure and had midwives with me during the labours, and only had the gas.

Both times the postnatal care was great, except for one midwife. With Riley i had PPH and the care was fantastic. Couldn't fault them at all.

Overall i had really positive birth experiences even though both were induced.

Hi Petri, Thankyou for sharing that. I have high BP and will be birthing at Maitland too. I'm a little worried they might make me have a ceaser but I'd be happier with induction then vaginal birth. I thinK! I'm only just starting to look at my options (EDD late April)

The hospital wants me to do full care through their obs because of the BP and not shared care with my lovely GP.

Good to hear the middies are good too :)

What is PPH?

[mum2mady]

1. Where did you birth your child/ren? John hunter Hospital

2. Who cared for you? mainly a midwife

3. What mode of care did you have? I had my husband there and a trainee doctor

4. How would you rate your antenatal, birthing and postnatal care experiences?
I would have to admit i had a very good birth although i had all the pain relief. I was induced due to being 10 days over due.

I for some reason hated hospital it was just me not the staff i get very home sick so hopefully next time i will be able to leave after 4 hours. also madi was born on a public holiday weekend so there wasnt many staff on and basically my bed didnt get changed at all.


from Tracey

[Mrs J]

Hi Karrie

1. Where did you birth your child/ren?
Maitland Hospital

2. Who cared for you?
Maitland Hospital Antenatal Clinic Midwife.

3. What mode of care did you have?

I saw the same Midwife every visit to the clinic but she wasnt the one there when i had bub i had another lady, Her name was Dianne Roy and she is the best midwife ever, she was so nice and helped me relax it was a great experience. I also attended young parents classes once a week and they taught you what to expect in labour how to cope etc, it was great to have some idea what was going to happen.

4. How would you rate your antenatal, birthing and postnatal care experiences?

The antenatal care was great Dawn was excellent, My birthing experience was excellent it was so calm and relaxed, Dianne was excellent and postnatal was great they helped get going with breast feeding, helped me do anything i asked. I stayed there 2 nights and wanted to go home coz the ppl snored so they put my in a private room for 2 nights it was great :thumbsup: I couldnt fault maitland hospital in anyway at all, they were great and ill be going back there next time.

my birth was Vaginal and i only used gas and the shower and that was it, it was 4 Hrs 45 Minutes.

Best of luck with your research ;)

[petrijack]

The antenatal care was great Dawn was excellent

I saw Dawn a few times for antenatal care. She is lovely..

[Shanaynay]

I saw Dawn a few times for antenatal care. She is lovely..

I had Dawn for both my pregnancies as well. Couldn't have hoped for a better midwife. I only wish I could have had her in the delivery suite and maternity ward as well :(
She is really lovely, she is a good friend of DH's family so I feel blessed that I know i will still see her occasionally!

[Shanaynay]

when i had bub i had another lady, Her name was Dianne Roy and she is the best midwife ever, she was so nice and helped me relax it was a great experience. I also attended young parents classes once a week and they taught you what to expect in labour how to cope etc, it was great to have some idea what was going to happen.


Dianne Roy delivered my first DD when I had an emergency CS. She was really nice.

Ashlea, I went to the young parents class when I was pregnant with my first baby. I loved it and made some friends as well.

[alzah8]

Hi mums,i have 8 kids (9 in march) and i had all my kids at john hunter except for my oldest daughter who was born at the old western suburbs hospital at waratah. I really like the midwives at the john hunter they have been fantastic to me and my family:smiliedance:. I will be going there again in march,i have had fairly straight forward births with the exception of my 19 mth old who was born by emergency c/s , but even that was alright, no problems,i dont go to the birth centre so i dont know what its like there,but anyway i would recommend john hunter midwives, with all the kids i,ve had i must be a good ad for them.

[Hathor]

1. Where did you birth your child/ren?
John Hunter
2. Who cared for you?
Midwives
3. What mode of care did you have?
I was under one midwife in particular for closer monitoring. erm Can't remember what it was called, Family something..
4. How would you rate your antenatal, birthing and postnatal care experiences?
Antenatal care was wonderful.
Birth not so good. Induction more drugs than I would have liked a discouraging midwife failed ventouse and CS.. Hmm
Post natal care was wonderful. Midwives were very informative and helpful.

I think I would go there again!