Closing labour and delivery?!

[_Lexi_]

Had my 34 week mw appt today. Yet a different mw, grr. Anyway, I'm a bit concerned. We were joking about how often I'm at the hospital during pregnancy for extra scans/checks etc and said at least when I go into labour I'll easily know my way to l&d ward! She turned round and said, well, actually, l&d is closing for refurbishment for a while. I asked when and she said in a few weeks, and it will be closed for a few weeks. They'll have minimal deliveries in the private rooms on the maternity ward, everyone else has to go to a different hospital. Here's my concern, neither me or oh drive, the other hospitals, both are 2hours away, in opposite directions. Our main concern though, whilst they never were able to diagnose what happened to Joshua, we have a 50% chance of this baby needing high level nicu care at delivery. The other hospitals don't have a nicu. They have a basic scbu, but we need to be where my consultant, and Joshua's paediatric specialist are. I have no idea what to do if they're full and turn us away. I'm opting for a vbac this time. I was offered a c section at 38 weeks, but I really would do anything to avoid a repeat c section. Just scared about what we're going to do x

 

[LilMiss_91]

What?! I live in the same area as you and I haven't heard anything about this! I've got 8wks(ish) left so that's probably gonna fall right on when I'm due I live a good hour away from the hospital as it is, what am I supposed to do? Whereabouts are the 2 alternative hospitals?
It just sounds so irresponsible of them to close it like that

Sorry I don't have any advice, I was just really shocked to read your post!

 

[_Lexi_]

I only found out this morning by chance. Other two are gorleston and kings lynn. I can't get to either. It's good it's being refurbished, it really does need it, but doesn't help us. Hopefully it might be done before you need to go x

 

[lewood88]

i would call and speak to your consultant and explain your concerns x

 

[LilMiss_91]

Totally agree, it can't be a bad thing for it to be refurbished but as you said, not helpful for people due in the meantime!
I just read on the N&N website that the midwife led birthing unit won't be affected (so chances are I won't be). Would it be an option for you to deliver there and have the specialist there? Considering your circumstances they really need to take that into consideration before shipping you off somewhere they know might not be sufficiently prepared to take proper care of you. Otherwise it's negligence, plain and simple. I'd see if you could push your MW to arrange an alternative hun.

 

[Smudge101]

I can't believe, especially given your history, that the MW just casually dropped that into conversation like that!

I'd get onto your consultant and raise your concern.

 

[_Lexi_]

My usual midwife went on maternity leave 8 weeks ago. My last appointment I saw a lovely midwife who was great, but had yet a different one this time that I had to explain my history too. Unfortunately as I'm a vbac, not allowed in the midwife led unit, and they wouldn't allow consultants in there, plus we need certain tests done at birth. I've got my next scan next Thursday and an appointment with my consultant straight after, so going to find out what they plan on doing with me. There's no way I'm giving birth at either of the other hospitals. Concern with the midwife unit is I think there's only 5 rooms there, so hopefully they're not full when you need them!! x

 

[_Lexi_]

Just read a shocking article about my particular hospital. They said that due to the lack of rooms on delivery, women are being forced to give birth on the antenatal/gynaecology wards, with just a flimsy curtain for privacy!! x

 

[murmur]

I was speaking to a midwife about this today and she said that Cley ward should be able to handle all deliveries as they will be moving the gynacological patients that would normally be seen there to another part of the N&N.

It seems maybe the midwives are being told different things.

 

[_Lexi_]

There's not many single private rooms on cley ward, that's the problem. I don't really want to give birth on a ward to be honest. x

 

[LilMiss_91]

I hope you manage to get something straightened out with your consultant. They can't expect you to give birth somewhere without the right facilities, that would just be ridiculous. I don't blame you in the slightest for refusing to go to either of them tbh, I'd be the exact same.

I swear to god if they think they can just shove me behind a curtain to give birth they are thoroughly mistaken! I'd rather bugger off home and do it there! I've been to Cley ward before and they have NO privacy at all and the cubicles are tiny. No thanks!

 

[Abz1982]

I think you need to speak to the consultant in charge of you and find out what their plan for you is. For me I am consultant care due to previous sesction and blood loss, and so it has always been planned that I will labour etc in the labour ward under consultant care - which means I have to go 24 miles to the main hospital, and not 16 miles to the closest as its only a midwife unit.