"Great experience at QC birth centre"

I gave birth to my second son in the QC birth centre last Saturday. As with my first delivery there already, the midwifes were excellent-caring, in control, coaching us through the process in a wonderful way. Compared to my first delivery there in December 2013, it is evident that resources have become tighter following the closure of the mayernity ward in Ealing-while we were given a spacious double room that made it easy for my hisband to stay after the delivery of our first baby, we only had a tiny room with a single bed this time round-but it was still a private room without having to pay for it, so no complaints! Rebuilding work at the BC made it quite noisy, but this is temporary and all the staff worked very hard at making life very comfortable for us and discharging us quickly. The midwives there are really the best and helped me to have two natural deliveries with no pain relief or instruments, making my birth experiences incredibly positive. I would highly recommend them.

Sadly the same cannot be said for the antenatal clinic-getting appointments is tedious, timings are never adhered to, waiting times are ridiculous and staff at the desk is very rude. Luckily most of the antenatal appointments can be taken outside the hospital by community midwives who are lovely, but the antenatal clinic in QC really is a very frustrating place to be that I imagine puts many first tine mums off this hospital alltogether. Many have provided the same feedback before me, and it is a shame to see that no improvements have been made over the past two years for this. My advice to all muns considering QC-grit your teeth and stick through the substandard antenatal care-the care on the day of delivery is excellent and makes it all worth it.