Birmingham Womens Hospital
Feedback Rating
Based on 1245 reviews
Reviews (1245)
Great maternity care
Maternity
December 12, 2016
I was induced, and then gave birth to my daughter following a trip round the birth centre, delivery suite and theatre! All excellent though I did feel I perhaps could have been taken down to the birth centre sooner after my waters broke. After care was excellent too. The Bounty woman was ok but seemed surprised I didn't want photos taken (I'd been up all night, was still recovering from the effects of the spinal block and had sent my husband home for a nap). No one had pre-warned me about this and I was quite surprised she was able to just wander around the wards full of slightly dazed and knackered new mothers pushing them to buy photoshoots. That said if I'd had more warning I might have agreed. Child benefit forms were useful but being given a guide on labour and birth after I'd just gone through it was silly.
Excellent Maternity Service, Bounty intrusive
Maternity
November 16, 2016
I delivered my son on the Birth Centre and received fantastic support from staff. The space was clean, welcoming and calming and the Birth Pool had been prepared for me (although I didn't get chance to use it!). My midwife was reassuring and made sure that I was comfortable and happy with what was happening. My son failed his 'Pulse Ox' test, so was transferred to NeoNatal where he received a course of antibiotics - initially on the NeoNatal ward and then with me on the Post Natal ward. We had lots of support with feeding, nappy changes and bathing from staff.
Downsides include a visit from an overly assertive Bounty Rep, who warned me that I wouldn't be able to apply for Child Benefit until I took her pack of promo material. The last thing I needed when trying to bond with my son and establish breastfeeding was a massive pack of leaflets for expensive baby equipment. I would imagine that for mothers feeling vulnerable, insecure or worried about finances that shiny catalogues and adverts would be even more upsetting. It's time that these reps were kicked off wards for good.
I would have liked a bit more dedicated support to establish breastfeeding - a breastfeeding counsellor sitting with me and other mums for half an hour each day could have avoided the months of pain, discomfort and tears that followed!
Downsides include a visit from an overly assertive Bounty Rep, who warned me that I wouldn't be able to apply for Child Benefit until I took her pack of promo material. The last thing I needed when trying to bond with my son and establish breastfeeding was a massive pack of leaflets for expensive baby equipment. I would imagine that for mothers feeling vulnerable, insecure or worried about finances that shiny catalogues and adverts would be even more upsetting. It's time that these reps were kicked off wards for good.
I would have liked a bit more dedicated support to establish breastfeeding - a breastfeeding counsellor sitting with me and other mums for half an hour each day could have avoided the months of pain, discomfort and tears that followed!
Unacceptably long waiting times - 4 - 6 hours!
May 14, 2015
Whilst the service at the Women's Ante-natal departments is very good, the waiting times are outrageous. For each of my two pregnancies, I have found that waiting times are at least 4 hours and up to 6 hours. I have even had morning appointments (at 8:50am) which I had hoped would mean there wouldn't be a backlog/delay but I still had to wait 45 mins for my scan.
Very good service
July 15, 2014
Very good service all through pregnancy, good midwife care and good hospital stay.
Too few beds, inexperienced midwives & awful gynae experiences
February 19, 2014
I had my daughter at BWH in June 2013. I got to 9cm at home but the midwife directed me to push on a full bladder, lying down when I had no urge to push. I ended up with forceps and now have multiple pelvic organ prolapses which haven't responded to management with pessaries or oestrogen cream.
I had to wait months for my referral then had two utterly brutal clinic appointments with callous and dismissive doctors. My prolapses are unbelievably debilitating but their attitude is very much "put up and shut up." I have been diagnosed with PTSD as a result. BWH's response to my complaint was incomplete and focused on directing me into a meeting with the delivery suite manager, which under the circumstances is completely inappropriate.
I think they were very keen for me to delivery quickly because they were short of beds but I think that this is prioritised over everything else. My midwife was inexperienced, tired, looking after other women at the same time and let down by poor systems. If you are considering having your baby here please please go to some mother and baby groups to ask local new mums about their birth experiences so that you are better informed than I was.
I had to wait months for my referral then had two utterly brutal clinic appointments with callous and dismissive doctors. My prolapses are unbelievably debilitating but their attitude is very much "put up and shut up." I have been diagnosed with PTSD as a result. BWH's response to my complaint was incomplete and focused on directing me into a meeting with the delivery suite manager, which under the circumstances is completely inappropriate.
I think they were very keen for me to delivery quickly because they were short of beds but I think that this is prioritised over everything else. My midwife was inexperienced, tired, looking after other women at the same time and let down by poor systems. If you are considering having your baby here please please go to some mother and baby groups to ask local new mums about their birth experiences so that you are better informed than I was.
