chch Womens vs St George
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Topic: chch Womens vs St George
Posted By: M2K
Subject: chch Womens vs St George
Date Posted: 30 March 2009 at 1:04pm
I am still undecided on which place to give birth. Would like to hear from anyone who has used either place please 
I have been told that ChCh womens, usually you are in and out within a few hours, but other than that, every facilicity you need is there if there are any complications. But I was also told from friends who both recently gave birth, that St Georges is more for those who want natural births, and you won't get an epidural?? My MW didn't tell me that, I will ask her at my next appointment, but they gasped when I said I was thinking of giving birth at St Georges 
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Replies:
Posted By: flakesitchyfeet
Date Posted: 30 March 2009 at 1:23pm
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Both are correct :)
I went out to Lincoln to give birth, but lots of stuff happened and we ended up coming into town (womens.) I had an epi, and once that wore off (it took 5hrs), I was shipped back out to Lincoln for our 'recovery'. Womens has everything, but St Georges is close. If you want to go to St Gorges do, but be ready to accept that you may need an ambulance to take you to womens if you want an epi :) You could always give birth at Womens, and transfer to St Georges for your recovery :) Did that make sense? -------------  http://lilypie.com"> |
Posted By: Peanut
Date Posted: 30 March 2009 at 1:28pm
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St G's you can't have an epidural and in case of emergency you will be transferred by ambulance to Womans.
You can transfer to St G's after the birth provided it was all straight forward. I birthed at Womans and then transferred to St G's. I had DS at about 7pm and transferred about 9pm. They like you to transfer around 3 hours after but didn't push me out or anything. I was on a high and ready to transfer so did so at my own pace. St G's is lovely for recovery and I really enjoyed it (and the cold milos!). -------------  
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Posted By: lottieandharry
Date Posted: 30 March 2009 at 1:54pm
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I had my first baby at Chch Womens as I wanted to be somewhere where everything was available ie epi etc. Lucky for me as labour ended in emergency c-section! I would have been out at Rangiora otherwise and I can't imagine having to have tranferred into CHCH whilst in labour. Second time I had an elective at ST Georges ( they no longer do them). I then stayed there for postnatal care.
If you knew your birth would be straight forward St Georges would prob be great but as no one knows what would happen I personally would go to ChCh Womens then transfer to St Georges. It is so much calmer and quieter at St Georges. I loved it there, ChCh Womens was just so busy and noisy and they tried to make me leave way too soon. Only thing about St Georges is that you have to share the toilets and bathrooms but that wasn't a major issue at all, you have to at most other birthing hospitals anyway. Also, the midwives were fantastic at both hospitals in my opinion. And I agree with Peanut, the milky milos are divine at St Georges!!!!! Lol! I thought I had heard that you can no longer transfer to St Georges after a c section??? May be wrong but hopefully you won't have that problem anyway! Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy, such an exciting time for you!! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 30 March 2009 at 2:14pm
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If you think you might want an epi...go to CWH. If you are dead against pain relief birth at St Gs
I birthed at cwh for my first as I wanted all the facilities available. Plus, it is a lovely hospital and everything is new. I was also lucky (or unlucky) in that Tom had complications so we had to stay there for 8 days. The postnatal ward is LOVERLY!!!!! |
Posted By: M2K
Date Posted: 30 March 2009 at 2:16pm
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Yeah guess Im delusional to think I have a half hour birth with no complications what so ever hahaha.
Im now thinking of going ChCh womens and then transfer, it is reasuring knowing they are more equipped, hopefully it will be a sunny winters day when I transfer (again delusional or what? hehe) -------------
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Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 30 March 2009 at 2:21pm
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you wont care when you transfer...you will be besotted with your little bundle |
Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 30 March 2009 at 2:28pm
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I had no choice but to birth at CWH due to my medical history and needing paed's at the delivery and scanning equipment available etc. Luckily I chose that as my labour, once waters broke was too intense so I had an epi. Being a first time mum I liked knowing everything was there (was also prepped for a c/s so if that had happened I wouldn't have had to transfer).
Having said that - I did feel that CWH is not personal at all. For medical reasons Jack was not allowed to transfer for 5 hours but they kicked us out of our room after 2 (I couldn't even walked unsupported) and made us wait in a tiny room with no facilities for him 
St George's is fantastic - don't know what it's like to birth there but definitely go there for recovery! The m/w's are lovely and the food is devine! Nothing like the horrible plasticky stuff they give you at CWH. And heaps of it too
To put another spanner in the works, a friend birthed at Burwood and said it's lovely there too (more spacious apparently but I wouldn't know). Obviously no epi's and the same scenario with ambulances etc if you need to go to CWH. |
Posted By: lizzzzie
Date Posted: 30 March 2009 at 2:52pm
I can't speak from personal experience, but have decided to go to St G's over Chch women's as I really don't want any drugs if I can help it. If all goes according to plan then I won't have to move at all which appeals considering it'll be Winter when I'm there! However if some unforseen complication does arrive, then I'm only 10 mins away from the Hospital 
Personal decision I think, good luck! ------------- 
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Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 30 March 2009 at 3:04pm
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I had planned to birth at burwood (no drugs allowed lol) but ended up at cwh at 35 weeks because my waters broke and my baby was breech....(so not part of my birth plan) stayed there for weeks then had an elective c/s stayed 3 nights post birth there then transferred to Burwood (would have transferred sooner but they were full). They were great, no complaints at all. The only annoying thing was the stupid buzzer going off all night.
I then went to cwh this time around and didn't have any issues with being pushed out early or rushed or anything. Had Kyle at 4.44am and was able to stay in the birthing suite till around 7am, was then transferred upstairs to the maternity ward for a while (I had had an epi and it hadn't worn off properly, I could move one leg but not the other..lol). Ended up not leaving till about 3pm as they were in no hurry for me to go and it took them awhile to sort my transfer papers out. The only thing I found was that they didn't help me with Kyle at all, which was the total opposite to my experience with Spencer. I don't know if it was because I was a 2nd time mum or because I was just someone waiting to transfer but it was pretty slack and most annoying, especially as I couldn't move for part of my stay 
Have stayed at Burwood and Rangiora for aftercare and both are awesome (I have heard that you can't always get into st g so you might have to go to one of the others), the buildings are a little old and the showers are not ensuite like at cwh, but the staff are lovely and they have heaps of time to sit with you and help you out with anything. ------------- 
 
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Posted By: lisa85
Date Posted: 30 March 2009 at 3:29pm
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I've heard only good things about St Georges. I had my girls at CHCH. Because I was having twins I elected to have a c/section. I stayed for 5 days because I was having so much trouble feeding the girls but from day 3 they were constantly pushing to get me out. I really didn't enjoy my experience there. I found most (not all) of the midwives not very helpful or friendly. I constantly felt like a thorn in their side. -------------  
TTC #3 since Jan 2010 - PCOS MC April 2010 |
Posted By: angel4
Date Posted: 30 March 2009 at 4:39pm
| My plan was to birth at burwood (have you looked there - when we went on the tour of st georges i found the staff really rude to me - i asked if their birthing pool was ready yet as it was being built and the woman turned to me and said 'we have baths but you'l want to get out as soon as you get in' which i thought was very rude.) Anyway plans changed and i went into labour at 36weeks so had to birth at womans. I had to be there right from the start of my labour and for the most part they were brilliant. From what ive heard though womans is only good if you need specialist care. I wanted a drug free labour and kept getting offered drugs (i got very angry). THey tried to make me take codine which i hadnt asked for (post labour) nor did i need. Most of the midwives are lovely - i had one that was great (so encouragign while i was in labour - did a few laps with me so my husband could go bathroom and have a coffee lol), but also had one that was awful to me, puting me down etc. I think no matter where you go there are good midwives and not so great midwives. I personally wouldnt birth at womans unless you have a complicated pregnancy though. |
Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 30 March 2009 at 5:48pm
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Just remember chch womens is very busy so unless you have complications you will kinda be left to it. Unfortunately its just the way things panned out with the rising birth rates when it was predicted they would fall. At the primary units (St Georges, Burwwod, Rangiora, Lincoln) they aren't so busy and have more time for normal. I had mine at Burwood and it was lovely, I stayed 3 days both times and never felt pushed out. They even have a bath for a long soak afterwards if you want it and they come and chat with you if your up feeding bubs in the middle of the night.
You might find you do fine at a primary unit but if things aren't going the way you want you can always transfer. |
Posted By: my2angels
Date Posted: 30 March 2009 at 8:25pm
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I think when its your first baby and you have no idea how things are going to go its safer to be at Womens. I had both my kids there and both times i would have had to transfer while in labour if i had of elected to birth at st georges (or anywhere else)
Your midwife will be in charge of the birth anyway so it doesnt really matter if the hospital is busy or not because she is there for you. I know when I was there with Addison they had 14 c sections the following night but when i said i wanted to go home they said I was welcome to stay another night if I wasnt 100% sure. Plus its all nice and newish now so you get a room with your own bathroom, was almost like being in a hotel! And yeah they do transfer you out pretty quickly but only if everythign is ok. |
Posted By: RBsMama
Date Posted: 30 March 2009 at 9:19pm
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I had no choice but to birth at CWH and I can't say enough good things about the experience. I had a prolonged labour at home (30 hours), so I ended up with syntocin drip, waters being broken and an epidural, then episitomy and forceps due to bub being in distress. The staff were great and the facilities were brilliant. Rhys was born at 5.27pm and we ended up going to St George's at 12.30am. That was the only down side. The delay was due to me though as I had lost abit of blood. It was very reassuring to be so well looked after at both CWH and St Georges.
Personally I think either choice is good. Probably not helping make your decision any easier, sorry  ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Mamma2N
Date Posted: 30 March 2009 at 10:47pm
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Well I'm fresh out of Burwood, arriving home saturday after giving birth last thursday night.
I can't recommend Burwood highly enough. The midwives were fantastic, they left me to my own devices and I never needed them once. I was happy to find my own feet with my baby and they respected that. They all saw that I am confident with Novella and if I needed help I would ask for it. And I loved that they were so great with visitors popping in and having DF around. Only grumble would be the buzzer going off in the middle of the night as has been mentioned before.. but hey wee babes can be overwhelming at times and I just felt bad hearing the wee mites crying so much so I could understand why the other mothers were wanting help. And in terms of labour and birthing... remember there are positive stories and you don't have to think that only the worst scenario is going to happen and you will necessarily need to have drugs or intervention. I for one had a labour that lasted 3hours and 15minutes from first contraction to birth. I was at the hospital for 1 and half of those hours and water birth was so calm and amazing. I also knew from day one that if I wanted to transfer to womens if things didn't go according to plan then I could. And after the birth, my support team weren't hurried out of the hospital even though it she was born at 11.14pm.. they all stayed on till after 2pm and had milos and biscuits with me in the lounge while I breastfed baby... They are family orientated at Burwood and I found it awesome! Anyway, sorry to babble.. just wanted to give you my perspective... and it was my first birth! I'm just a little bit proud of it, (if you can't tell already!) 
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Posted By: M2K
Date Posted: 31 March 2009 at 10:10am
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Hey anna_bana, congrats on your wee one!
My cousin was transferred to burwood after giving birth at chch womens and she said they were family orientated there, very helpful and friendly, although she did share a room when she first arrived and felt bit awkward. I love hearing everyones experiences and I think I will choose to go ChCh womens -------------
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Posted By: Aquarius
Date Posted: 31 March 2009 at 11:18am
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hey joleneandjustin...i had a big talk to sue regards where to birth just last week. i was undecided too as i kinda want the best of both worlds.i have decided to go with st georges, but this is my third baby and the last one was a natural birth (drug free)i didnt chose for a drug free birth..lol but it just progressed quickly and before i could freck out he was born!..so i'm not to scared of no-drugslike i used to be as i know its not to bad.
Sue scheduled our next appt at st georges for me to have a look around..she has also (just in case) enrolled me at both hospitals...and reassured me that should complications arise chch womens is not to far away ------------- http://www.magicalkingdoms.com/timers/"> 
mum to mr 16 & mr 10 |
Posted By: Mamma2N
Date Posted: 01 April 2009 at 5:04pm
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thanx joleneandjustin!
You totally have to do whats comfortable for you... good luck with everything - although pregnancy seems to go on forever its more than worth the wait once you have your bundle! It is only day6 for us here and I can't imagine life without Novella now!
Your in for the time of your life.. once again good luck with everything!
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Posted By: jack_&_charli
Date Posted: 01 April 2009 at 8:06pm
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jack was born at st georges and charli was born at chch womans.........i probably preferred st georges because of their cold milos but i don't know what it's like 'birthing' there as i had an elective c/s
i found the nurses at both hospitals really nice and caring, although their were 1 or 2 that were a little grumpy but i got that at both places. i was planning on birthing at chch womans and transferring to burwood after (with charli) but ended up with a complicated emergency c/s so i had to stay the whole time. ------------- http://www.alternatickers.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Lizze
Date Posted: 25 June 2009 at 9:45am
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bumping for more opinions...
i'm hoping i won't need pain relief and am planning for st george's at the moment, but then I read all of the horror birth stories and think maybe I should have that specialist care with Christchurch womens. ------------- 
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Posted By: Mamma2N
Date Posted: 25 June 2009 at 12:56pm
Remember that alot of the time you hear more horror stories than good.. During my pregnancy I never heard any 'good' birthing stories which is a shame really. 
If you have a straight forward complication-free pregnancy you will most likely have a straight forward labour & birth. At the end of the day, if anything were to go wrong and you were birthing at St. Georges, your LMC would make the call well ahead of time to get you to Womens. Think positively - and I suggest you talk through any concerns you have with your LMC. Good luck
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Posted By: my2angels
Date Posted: 25 June 2009 at 1:38pm
| hmm I had two reasonably straight forward pregnancies but both times would have ended up at womens if I had of chosen st georges and for different reasons. But i do agree you often hear more horror stories but for me I found womens great. |
Posted By: M2K
Date Posted: 25 June 2009 at 2:10pm
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hi Lizze, I agree you hear more horror stories than straight forward ones. I did originally choose st george but have since changed my mind to chch womens, just in case, as I will TRY to have a natural birth, but being my first I just have no idea what to expect. Am hoping to get a room with birthing pool... but I figure that I would rather move after giving birth than chance having to be transferred while having contractions IF any complications were to arise.
Wow Anna-Bana your wee girl has grown fast! you had just had her when this thread was started!!! -------------
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Posted By: lisa85
Date Posted: 25 June 2009 at 2:24pm
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I would birth at CHCH womens and transfer to St Georges. Womens will try and boot you out really quickly. Theres less pressure to leave at St Georges. -------------
TTC #3 since Jan 2010 - PCOS MC April 2010 |
Posted By: Peanut
Date Posted: 25 June 2009 at 2:56pm
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I agree with 2angels. I had a complication free pregnancy until the last minute and if I was at St G's I would have been trasferred to CW's.
My birth was by no means a horror birth either, infact I loved it but if wasn't straight forward and at the end of the day I was pleased to be at CW from the start. Its def a personal choice but for me personally even if I wanted a drug free birth I would still birth at CW as your MW is there with you and knows exactly what you want so no-one can force you into something you don't want. I loved St G's for afterwards though and def recommend transferring there. I have decided if St G's is full this time I will just go home rather than somewhere else as only other place close is Burwood and they make you take your own bottles, formula and steriliser if you are choosing to FF from birth! -------------
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Posted By: Mamma2N
Date Posted: 25 June 2009 at 4:32pm
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What I was trying to say in my earlier post is although complications can arise it doesn't neccesarily mean that is going to happen to everyone. Without sounding too mumbo-jumbo, I believe that the mind is a powerful thing and if all you think is negative thoughts about your impending labour then things probably aren't going to be wonderful.
Personally, my choice to not birth at CHCH womens was not really about wanting a drug-free labour. I didn't want to go there when there are women who need the facilities more so than I felt I would. If I wasn't progressing during labour, I completely trusted that my LMC would take me to Womens well ahead of time but only if I really needed to go. Ultimately however, you should birth wherever you feel most comfortable. I wanted Lizze to hear that not all births are horrors.. mine was fantastic and I'm so pleased about it. Oh and yes Jolene, times flown by, Nova is growing so quickly and sheesh you're due soon! Good luck!!
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Posted By: Lizze
Date Posted: 25 June 2009 at 5:00pm
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thanks everyone :)
i'm keen for the no pain relief, and we're going to go the hypnobirthing course, and at this stage want a waterbirth. I guess I'll see how I feel closer to the time. How many waterbirthing baths do they have at CWH? -------------
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Posted By: Aquarius
Date Posted: 25 June 2009 at 5:27pm
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its funny as i have since changed my mind too.
i will now birth at chch womens and then tranfer to St G for abit of a recovery... still would like to try and have another drug-free birth but would like things close at hand in case things drag out abit. ------------- http://www.magicalkingdoms.com/timers/">
mum to mr 16 & mr 10 |
Posted By: Ella1
Date Posted: 25 June 2009 at 11:11pm
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I wanted to birth at St Georges, cause I didn't want any drugs anyway.
However when I was in labour mw let me come to St Georges instead of checking me at home as I was promised , and I was only 1 cm dilated. I refused to be sent home, but I wasn't allowed to stay at St Georges and had to tranfer to Womens. Good thing I refused to go home, cause only 1,5 hours later I was fully dilated.
3 hours after Mika's birth we were all ready to go back to St Georges for recovery and then Womens refused to let me go cause I hadn't passed any urine yet. We ended up having to stay for another 3 hours, we were left holding our baby (no bassinette), sitting on chairs, I was given no food, nobody checked on us. We were both exhausted (I'd been in labour all night). It was awful! I wish I'd been able to birth in St Georges so I could have had some rest after giving birth. (BTW I still managed to avoid drugs in CWH) Oh, and they have 2 birthing pools at CWH |
Posted By: Tastic
Date Posted: 26 June 2009 at 3:44pm
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I had Bailey at St Georges and I LOVED IT! the staff were fabulous and could not have asked for better care
Aidan was a different story - I had to have him at chch womens and I must say the birth it self there staff were 'nice' they got quite rude
also when on the wards that night I had not help with the breast feeding - well expressing - they though grabbing your breast and doing it for you is teaching you, ummm no my morning nurse on the third morning was very nice (I had asked where the pumps were at 2am that morning as my milk was in I got a stern not its not and she left - the morning lady said it certainly has come in and showed me the pumps If I got to have a choice with this pregnancy Id defiantly go with st Georges again . but with the high risk this pregnancy I dont get a choice 
also I didnt actually get a choice but to have bailey at st georges - we were going to go to chch womens but they had a bomb scare! and there ended up with mothers giving birth in the car park eek |
Posted By: Tastic
Date Posted: 26 June 2009 at 3:46pm
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you can have the gas at st georges but not sure about the pethidine - and I dont think you can get an epi at st georges
one thing with st georges is you dont have to go anywhere after the birth my mate had her daughter at chch womens and within 3hours she was made to transfer |
Posted By: Lizze
Date Posted: 26 June 2009 at 5:13pm
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cool thanks tastic, did your st george's birth go well? my midwife said they have a resus team there, and the hospital doctors are around if there is a big emergency. (just no c-secs) -------------
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Posted By: Tastic
Date Posted: 26 June 2009 at 5:22pm
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Yes it went fine! no complications nothing
The only time I seen the st georges staff was when they showed me the birthing room - then my midwife did the rest herself (there were two as one was in training lol) then we seen the st georges staff when they showed me my room and of course after wards to help with feeding etc - the first initial feed they my midwife showed me in the birthing room St georges are very hands off but if you need them they are there I would defiantly recommend them again - and for first time mums to, they are great also you should of seen me! I was so scared of giving birth it actually made me quite sick, and I too only heard horror story's I found antenatal classes really good and helped me with my fair! |