Royal North Shore Public (Sydney)

[pebilz]

I'm due to have my second baby here in October as a public patient. If anyone has been there what has been their experience?

Thank you!

[Beany]

My sister-in-law was there with her first child. And hated it. She didn't like the care, the people, the set up - nothing.

Having said that, she is a cantankerous old cow so maybe her complaints are more of a reflection of her than of the hospital.

[CrazyBeautiful]

I have heard really positive things about RNSH maternity. I have also seen a few posts from ladies on this site that have had excellent experiences. Good luck.

[Jamily]

I had Emily at the RNSH in the birth centre. I can not recommend it highly enough. Even though I have private insurance I will be using the birth centre again. I had a wonderful drug and intervention free water birth. Just what I wanted. My midwives were exceptional and my appointments were always on time.

I didn't go through the Clinic 9 or Team Midwife program as the Birth Centre is seperate (although its right next door to the normal suites) but the delivery rooms looked similar when I was shown around.

[kiwibird27]

I'm 32 weeks and go through clinic 9 for my midwife check ups, also had to have a cyst removed so used the clinic 9 doctor service too.
Midwifes are great, no problems, occasionally u get one that rushes u thru but generally they're all very knowledgable, and really thorough and friendly!!!! Haven't had to wait long at all for midwife appointments, doctor appointments however u can wait for an hour, depending on how busy they are, Everytime i have phoned concerned about something they have helped me immediately or called straight back if i leave a message - have also phoned the delivery suite when really worried about things and they were brillant!!!! Unlike my GP!!!!!
Ultrasound people were lovely and everyone seems really genuine and caring!!!
The surrounding aren't that pretty though - the place needs a paint, but apparantly the birthing suite and ward is new - lots of people try and get into RNS cause it's also got the premmie baby unit etc, so u don't have to be shifted if there are any issues with baby!!!
Team midwife's facilities are much nicer, I don't know what u have to do to get in with them????
Good luck - I've had no problems!!!

[TinyStar]

I gave birth there last year and will be giving birth there again in just 12 weeks time woo hoo!

BUT I got my antenatal care thru Ryde hospital.

I could not reccommend the care I received from the OB during my c-sec highly enough. It made a very horrible stressful experience just a little more friendly.

That said they are a very very very busy hospital, and the post natal care was awful. Which is a bit hard when you can't get up because you have a catheter and are attached to a drip. Bubs was hungry and middie said she'd come back to help me with attachement....came back 1 hour later! (Lucky DD was a good feeder, but getting her out of the cot ouch!)

This time I have told my Ryde midwife I will NOT go to the wards there and will transfer direct to Ryde after the birth. (no-one will argue as they will need the bed anyway).

Find out what their early discharge program is like, might be a good option.

[Jamily]

Team midwife's facilities are much nicer, I don't know what u have to do to get in with them????

To get into the Birth Centre or use the Team Midwife program you have to be a low risk pregnancy. You just call up and ask to join either the Birth Centre or Team Midwives, but you have to book in early as they are really popular. The Birth Centre and delivery suites/postnatal wards for all Mums are in the new Douglas building which is not in the old part of the hopsital where Clinic 9 is so they are a lot nicer!

Good luck.

[pebilz]

Thank you everyone for your responses. It's very comforting. I'm booked into the Team Midwife program at this stage (only 12 weeks so final decision will be at the 16 week doc's appt).