Giving birth at Darent Valley Hospital, Kent

I didn’t have a great experience there, wouldn’t recommend

Thank you @Abbey, I’m so sorry to hear this, was that recently? And may I ask if it was due to lack of compassion from staff or other reasons? But please don’t need to respond if you don’t want to, completely respect and understand this. Hope you and baby are ok now. Sending best wishes

Hi T, ive just had my beautiful baby girl who's 3 weeks old. I think it depends on midwife. My daughter is my third child and I had a better supportive experience this time round at Darenth. All my kids are born there. My first was horrible as I felt so anxious and was only given codeine and was stuck in a ward for majority of my labour. I think if I had know then what I know now, I would of complain and took things further. My second was just in and out was no kind of interaction but maybe you could have a better experience. My eldest is coming up to 6 years old now. My advice, don't worry if you feel something is wrong, alert the midwife and get them to check you out. Don't wait for them. My first time i could of been offered gas and air and other pain relief much sooner, so make sure you know what your entitled too. Also they do online Antenatal classes. It is worth going signing up to know what it will be like at the hospital. Good luck.

I had a good experience. I never had to wait long in triage when I had suspicions of reduced movements. I saw one midwife the whole pregnancy which was reassuring. Once in labour, the midwives were really nice and tbh compared to another hospital im at, it’s ’well kept’. My actual birth wasn’t great and my son was in another hospital for 2 days. So after the birth they put me in the induction ward so that I wouldn’t be triggered by the new babies. Not sure if that’s routine but it was very thoughtful. As above, just make sure you speak up for yourself, and do your research so you’re not pushed into anything you don’t want to do! All the best xx

Also they have a microwave and facilities for storing breastmilk. Birthing partner allowed with you until delivery suite which you are allowed another birthing partner. No other visitors allowed after birth unless you have a family already where siblings are allowed

Thank you so much @Danielle, so so helpful to hear this, very much appreciated🙏🏻 Congratulations on your beautiful new bundle of joy. Wishing you a lovely day

Hope this helps x

Thank you so much @Melanie , very much appreciated 🙏🏻 Wishing you a lovely day xx

I had an odd experience and not because it was bad. Basically had to have an emergency c section 4 week early. I think I was well looked after and everything was explained to me. The c section bit was a bit weird as i was told I would have in the next 30 minutes but felt like 30 seconds. Anyway. Moving to the postnatal ward I got everything I needed like pain meds on time, all the checks. Formula. And bottles. Weirdly enough I had my mother in law, my mother, husband and father in law all come to visit me. Even had ordered food brought in… idk if that was a fluke but nobody said anything. Only had 1 person stay overnight tho. I did also stay 3 nights. Overall good experience.

Thanks so much @Chí , reassuring to know was a good experience overall🙏🏻

My little boy is 17 months now and my experience was mixed. I had a terrible midwife for the majority of my labour but thank god her shift ended just before I gave birth and the new midwife I got along with a student midwife were incredible. Looked after me really well after birth too. Just wish I had known what I know now and I would have complained and demanded a different midwife. I'm not sure if I would have my second child there... I would definitely do my research into other options xx

@Chí sorry to jump onto this post! Was you allowed 1 person to stay the night following the c section? I’m booked in for one on Monday and am terrified that my partner has to leave 🥺x

@Maddie yes I was allowed 1 person to stay overnight xx

I gave birth there twice my little girl is 2 and my son is 6 months. Both experiences were fine. I found most of the midwives so helpful and supportive. The only thing I do feel is that really push for C-section and I’ve heard a lot of people say the same thing about the hospital it’s really strange.

@Kd that’s makes a lot of sense 🥹🤦🏿‍♀️

@Melanie did you have one there x

@Kd yeah 😭

@Melanie same 😢

Had Two births there now 2021 and July just gone and both had absolutely lovely midwives and staff throughout pregnancy too, I feel for anyone that has a bad experience at such a precious time in life

There are online antenatal classes with DVH who went through the whole experience and answered lots of my questions. Highly recommend. I ended up needing an elective c section and my experience was positive.