"Would not recommend to expecting parents..."

What I liked

Previous miscarriage, so officially first-time parents-to-be of twins and classed as a high risk Mum.

Ultrasound (XRAY Level 1) on behalf of EPAU - sonographers very thorough and helpful. Actually answered more questions than the staff in EPAU could answer. Very friendly staff.

EPAU - Process for admission to EPAU is very good. Good time keeping.

ANC - despite waiting over 2 hours with a full bladder, had an excellent sonographer for the NT scan. He explained everything, checked the babies thoroughly and pointed out to us key organs on the baby. Also introduced members of the team who were in the room and ensured I was comfortable. Was willing to answer any questions about the NT scan and any follow-on tests.

What could be improved

The help and advice from the Maternity Services and associated community midwives has been extremely poor and contradictory...

EPAU - Did nothing more than take a quick look at ultrasound results and send you on your way: very quick to get you off their list and onto someone else's. They did not debrief us on the findings, so it was a good job we'd already been given some information from the sonographer. Unable to answer detailed questions despite being trained midwifes(?) and simply referred us to community midwife. They didn't even tell us there was a Twins Clinic within the hospital! They need to spend more time reassuring Mums who've had previous complications and helping answer questions about 'what happens next'.

Community Midwife team - apparently extremely understaffed. So had very short booking visit, didn't take bloods, didn't fill out all of the pregnancy pack, etc. A second midwife had to call to book an appointment to 'finish-off' paperwork and was surprised how little had been completed! Little information provided, nothing on AN classes, etc and basically told we wouldn't see her again as we were being referred back to the Twins Clinic. Gave no information about the risks of MCDA, & gave conflicting information on delivery options & AN care. Apparently we are not the first couple to have reported these issues to Lavender ANC.

ANC/Twins Clinic - first appointment - hoped consultant would run through pregnancy and that this appt would provide all the answers to questions over MCDA and associated risks. Key consultant away on leave, so got an abridged version of risks and issues and although the team tried to answer questions, you couldn't help feeling that we knew more than them. Plus, most of the information contradicted what we'd previously been told. Not given enough time to ask questions and discuss TTTS. Future appointment plan seemed little ad-hoc, but managed to get this sorted eventually.

Anything else?

Extremely poor hygiene - community midwives carry needles, etc in a lunchbox! Midwife unloaded lunchbox on carpet to enable her to get to needle and blood sample bottle. Didn't use hand gel before handling instruments and needles. Sharps box did not exist, when questioned it was supposedly in the car.

Very few staff seem to know about the multiple pregnancies, apart from the main consultant - is it all down to one individual? What happens when she is not around or off-duty??

NT Scan - done 13 weeks and 3 days (window of 13 weeks 6 days) leaving little time to return if the tests could not be carried out on the day.

Overall, the continuity and consistency of care and advice so far has been appalling. This leaves parents not knowing what happens next and whether they should be chasing for appointments. The experience has left us feeling very confused and having to resort to National Organisations (such as th MBF and TAMBA) and highly rated hospitals to find out more about the risks and delivery options. May well choose to deliver elsewhere.AppointmentsContinuity of carePatient careHygieneConsultantsMidwifeAdmissionsWaiting timesMiscarriageOpening hoursServiceBabiesMaternityRadiologyX-rayBureaucracyReferralsCommunicationReassuringStaffing Level