My Royal London C-section experience-positive
It’s now 4 weeks since I had my c section at royal London hospital in whitechapel at 33w5days due to pre eclampsia.
Here is a little summary of what went well and what was not great and I hope it helps those who consider giving birth there
What went well:
- fantastic fetal medicine consultants on the 8th floor. After the triage dr sent me home despite my high BP readings , I felt it was not right and went to the 8th floor to find a doctor - they saw me immediately without an appointment - they run more tests and admitted me! The consultant stayed until 1900 to ensure I am admitted and make a plan
-Admitted to HDU on the 6th floor - great care from the nurses - frequent overnight visits from the duty consultant and anesthetist in preparation of c section
-next day morning the same consultant and midwife visited to check on me
-team of consultants meeting to decide on to delay my c-section so I could have the steroid injections for baby lungs
-still great care from the nurses
- moved to a private labour room with amazing London views-the room was huge
-blood tests twice a day to monitor pre eclampsia progress and quick results that I was made aware of on time
- 2 days later was told that liver values went too high and that I would have the baby an hour later
- anestetist Ivana came to my room for the forms etc - amazing lady
- massive theatre and 15 staff members
- including paediatrics who explained us of what the baby would need
- introduction to all staff and relaxed environment despite me being in panic
-smooth surgery - 30 mins - tiny scar and good recovery
- while I could not experience time with the baby as he was preterm , they still saw me the baby via the curtain and passed to the paediatric team next to me so I could see and hear him
- staff kindly took photos of us with the baby before he was taken to nicu
- returned to hdu for recovery - great care
-amazing nicu and Nicu staff
-nicu encouraging skin to skin and kangaroo care
What was wrong :
-the triage was terrible - huge waiting times (8-9 hours)
-terrible doctor there that I was unlucky to see twice in 2 separate occasions!
-if I was not taking the initiative and popped to the 8th floor , I would have been sent home and both mine and baby’s life would be at risk
-post natal ward - hit and miss. Some nurses were good but most were overworked , rude and mean ! Both I and other mums were bullied
- many times my blood pressure meds were forgotten - I had to remind them
-no lactation nurse until 3 days in - had to check videos on YouTube for the colostrum part as FTN
-forgot to discharge me and I had to follow up at 7pm!
Overall if your health is at risk, the care is great ! When you are out of danger you are forgotten :)
I am grateful for the care and safe delivery of my boy and my admission and c-section were great !
I’m giving birth there soon too and quite nervous about the level of care there. I’ve heard some terrible stories! Yeah, triage waiting time is ridiculous!! I realised it’s best to go early morning (get seen much quicker). Reading your experience has definitely helped a bit to not be so anxious now about delivering there. Thank you ♥️