"Disappointing experience"

Anything else?

I have read all the wonderful reviews of St. Mary's and it sounds fantastic. However, my daughter's experience was a bit on the negative side. It may have just been the staff on duty, but I felt, as a birthing partner, that she didn't get the encouragement and guidance that she needed to continue with her birth at this centre. She was transferred (at her request, as she wanted an epidural), but it did seem fairly obvious to me (not a trained midwife, but a mother of five) that she was getting near to transition. She asked if she could still have an epidural if she was nearly dilated and was told no, so both she and I felt that it would be a waste of time. She was transferred as the midwife said that she didn't need to examine her again as she had done so an hour ago and that they were complying with her request for an epidural. Again, I asked for some support or guidance and was told that they couldn't tell how long this stage would go on for. This we did know, but we couldn't get a straight answer. She was transferred and on arrival was told that she was nearly fully dilated and couldn't have an epidural - what a surprise! The midwives at the General were fantastic and very encouraging and I felt if the same enthusiasm and support had been shown at St. Mary's she needn't have been transferred. I love the whole ethos of the place and I am pleased that so many people have had such positive experiences, but am a little sad that my daughter didn't feel that her experience there was that positive, and she didn't want to go back after the birth.