"I gave birth at Frimley in March ..."

What I liked

I gave birth at Frimley in March 2007. The staff were friendly and most were very helpful. It was really busy there at the time but I still had a good experience with the birth. They let the birth progress at its own pace and let me have the main lights off, and it was really peaceful and natural and only 2 midwives in the room when needed so it wasn't crowded or frantic. They let me cuddle and feed my baby before going off for an urgent surgery, which I was very grateful for - none of this whisking baby away after a quick look!

There is a special room for breastfeeding in the night/day and midwives will help you if they see you there. The lactation consultant was excellent and you can go back afterwards if you are having problems with breastfeeding.

Food was alright, as far as hospital food goes!!

What could be improved

Cleanliness - bloody bedsheets weren't changed; staff waited for women to be discharged and only then were fresh sheets put on.

One member of staff was pro-formula and didn't let women who were struggling with breastfeeding try for very long before suggesting that they used formula milk "so baby won't end up in NICU". However she was the exception to the rule - most staff were very pro-breastfeeding.

Staff were so busy that they would often forget what they were doing and were rushing alot but this was a very busy period for them I think.

I was encouraged to go without any pain relief during the birth although I kept asking for it; I would have preferred to have an epidural, but am pleased now that I didn't. But women who ask for it should be given something to help with pain.