my delivery at City Hospital - feedback | ExpatWoman.com
 

my delivery at City Hospital - feedback

294
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 April 2012 - 12:04

Here is my feedback and comments on my delivery in City Hospital. I delivered beautiful DD 9 days ago. She came 3 weeks early. I had normal birth with epidural. It was quite difficult for me and very long.
Unfortunately I delivered on the busiest day ever at CH according to staff and my doctor so I understand some of the delays, repeated asking was to be expected, Im not bothered by mix up food service... on the larger scale of things Im happy all went well at the end, however Im a little disappointed overall and expected bit better service.
Despite this I would not hesitate to recommend CH and perhaps I was bit unlucky on the day.

-When contractions started at 4am I called hospital and operator transferred me 2 times to a wrong extension, finally I dialed delivery dpt directly and got to speak to a first nurse/midwife who was not very friendly, mumbled down the phone and she could not understand me, she could not understand spelling of my name
-same nurse was on the shift when I arrvd to CH at 6.30AM, she could not even pronounce my doctor's name properly, she took me to delivery room and hardly explained what will happen and she kept mumbling, me and my husband did not understand a word she was saying, then she took my birth plan and then misplaced it and then kept asking for it 15min later despite having it at the first place, luckily this nurse finished duty at 7am so new nurse came to attend
-second nurse tried to find my vein on my hands and said bluntly 'Madam you have a fat hands I cant find a vein' ( I had a big problem with water retention and that was one of the reasons my OB wanted to induce me also) I thought it was very insensitive comment on her part, she then proceeded to put needle cannula to my other hand after unsuccessfully piercing left hand, my hands were left bruised and painful, also because the way she placed the cannula I could not use this hand to support my legs during pushing stage as needle was digging into my hand every time I moved it
-same nurse wanted to break my waters before I rcvd epidural, I had to basicly tell her no way as I m still waiting for epidural
-during my time in labour room form 6.30am to 11pm I had 6 different midwifes coming going, some came to introduce themselves to say they will be attending me and then I never saw them again but different personal came which really confused and I had to keep asking repeated question as communication between nurses/midwifes who attended me seems to be non existent, they kept asking me same questions that previous staff already asked me
-when I got to hospital in the morning at 6.30, midwife said she will request breakfast for me, well hour later no breakfast so I asked again, she said she will requested it again, at the end my husband had to requested it another 2 times finally at 10.30am I was given 2 sweaty looking tuna sandwiches
-I had to constantly ask to bring water and juice to drink
-I asked for TV to be switched on to keep me distracted during contractions, asked 3 times but it never was switched on, one nurse mumbled something about not having remote for it
-I had birth ball request in my birth plan, I asked twice for it and it never came, my husband went to the main reception to ask for it and nurse just looked and said..'oh yes birth ball birth ball everybody wants a birth ball' and that was the end of conversation
-I waited 3,5 hrs for epidural from the time I requested it, I don't know if its normal to wait this long I understand anesthesiologist was busy but I kept asking at least for them to tell me how long it will take, they were not able to give me aprox time frame just kept telling me doctor is on its way
-epidural stopped working after 3 hours so I asked for a top up, waited another 1,5 hour in pain before it was given
-TV in the post recovery room was not working had to ask nurse 3 times to call somebody to get it fixed, it took 4 hours for somebody to attend and fix it
-one nurse snapped at my husband when I asked for more pads as I was running out and when she brought it he also asked for new gown for me as I just noticed one I was wearing was stained, she said "couldn't you asked at the same time?" with a tone like why do you bother me so much?
-food often came not what I ordered day before (breakfast porridge was missing one day, next day no milk), one main course was totally wrong from what I ordered, my husband ordered from room service on numerous occasion and twice they got his order wrong (one they forgot to bring soup he ordered, once juice he ordered)
-wifi Du wow card was working very sporadically
-didn't have a hearing test done for baby, is it part of the package or no? They were not able to clarify it for me
-didn't have lactation consultant visit during my stay, ok not a big deal as I know I can go and visit her on other day but unless I asked about it nobody informed me
-didn't have physiotherapist/post birth exercise/kegal exercise lady visit
-did not receive baby goodie bag on departure, had to ask for it and they said they run out, I was able to collect it few days later when I went back to pick up Birth certificate notice, but I wonder how many ladies do not know they should be receiving baby goodie bag and just never ask for it? Hospital did not make an effort to tell me about it and unless I asked for it I would not get it, I only knew I should rcv one as my friend delivered at CH 6 month ago and I was with her all through out the labour, so I was familiar with what to expect, what care she received etc
-my OB was fantastic, despite having record breaking number of babies born on that day and my DD was the last one to be born

Hope this info will be useful for some.
Good luck to all who are still waiting to give birth! Hope you have a bit better experience then myself:)

365
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 April 2012 - 16:36
I would not have another child at City. My doctor (who only delivers there) was fantastic, and so were the nurses on the Labor floor but the experience following the birth of my LO was not good. Once on the recovery floor I remember wondering if I was in the same hospital as it was so disorganized and I didn't care for any of the nurses I had during my time there. I felt they were cold and were not helpful at all. I had to beg for an injection of Morphine an hour after delivering via c-section and the nurse seemed annoyed but eventually gave in to my cries of pain. They were also terrible with pain management, supposed to be bringing me either Panadol or a anti-inflamitory every 4 hours, many times I would go 8 hours without anything. Discharge was also unorganzied and I had to remind the nurse of the medications I was supposed to go home with which she had failed to give me. Then upon leaving, I felt rushed along because my DH had brought the car up near the entrance doors as I was in a wheelchair. Even though there were other cars parked there and ours was running as we were leaving the hospital, they still were upset that it was there and trying to rush us along. Let me just re-iterate that he was pulled off to the side, not blocking traffic, and only there long enough to come up to get me and LO and escort us to the car.
157
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 April 2012 - 14:34
I heard about City being unorganized and chaotic during the post natal care. But I also heard so many great things from patients. I was still hesitant about choosing this hospital but decided to go on a tour and see it for myself. I remember calling City and asking to be transferred to the maternity ward because I wanted to schedule a tour. I spoke to a nurse who started coughing directly into the phone right after she said hello. She didn't even put me on hold and it lasted a good 5 seconds and then she just said excuse me. It wasn't a normal cough either, she sounded sick, so after that I just thought to myself, no thank you and chose American. :) <em>edited by Sal 123 on 04/04/2012</em>
160
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 April 2012 - 11:55
I have to say, I delivered during a fairly quiet week and I found City to be "friendly but disorganized." I was left on the operating table after my c-section for nearly an hour because they couldn't find the roller thing to move me, my food order was always hit or miss - what I ordered was never what I got - and I always had to remind them that I was supposed to get this medicine or that - not to mention to bring me my babies for feeding on time! However, I left knowing all about the nurses' wild love lives!
53
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 April 2012 - 11:51
loube replied : Despite it being the busiest day ever, they have a good idea of numbers at least the day before so should be able to manage staffing levels accordingly...if I were you I would send your OP as it is in complaint form to the CH and await their feedback. things will not improve if they believe they gave customer satisfaction. Unfortunately giving birth is not predictable a day in advance !
294
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 April 2012 - 11:37
Its not the midwifes who you ask for the water its the room service. so perhaps they can make it clear and explain when you check in? How Im supposed to know if they dont tell me? I do know I was not giving birth in a hotel but I do not think to expect enough water is something extra? I would think providing water is very basic care....
90
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 April 2012 - 09:44
tweet - i was not meaning to direct it at you but just using as an example, no offence to be taken x
784
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 02 April 2012 - 09:42
when i was giving birth, i didn't even think of asking for water but I am sooooo glad that I had a doula who brought water on her own for me..
5452
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 02 April 2012 - 09:42
Does anyone know of a hospital that's not overcrowded nowadays?
125
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 April 2012 - 09:40
Its not the midwifes who you ask for the water its the room service. And just to add if i was fit enough to walk I would have got have got my own water but many people aren't in that situ after giving birth <em>edited by tweet on 02/04/2012</em>
125
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 April 2012 - 09:39
Its not the midwifes who you ask for the water its the room service.
90
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 April 2012 - 09:36
I don't mean to be harsh but you had your baby in a hospital not a hotel - you said it was one of the busiest days so how would you feel if your midwife said to you to 'hold on' while she got some-one a bottle of water and you delivering your baby. I had my baby in city a few months ago and it was extremely busy, I actually felt very sorry for the midwives being so rushed off their feet and not being able to fulfil their role as they would like. It is the hospital management who are responsible for this, not those on the floor! I hope you and your baby are both very fit and well and you are enjoying your time together My sister had her baby 3 wks ago and is fighting for her life after suffering from a rare post partum condition and having life saving major surgery for this. She is not allowed to hold her baby for 6 wks and had to stop bf. She has a 3 yr old & 4 yr old also. It is not until things like this happen that even I think how lucky my kids are. Wishing you every happiness and fun as it is exciting times having a baby, live every day as your last x
125
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 April 2012 - 09:05
My experience at city wasn't too bad, was my first time so nothing to compare it to but I did have a nightmare getting them to bring me enough water. I was constantly having to ask for it yet they harp on about how much you need to drink afterwards. In the end I just asked for ten bottles at a time to keep me going!
112
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 April 2012 - 21:47
Do let them know as it seems they take feedback seriously ( seems, this is DXB after all... ), I know they have marketing people visiting peds for feedback. Having had 2 at AH, my third was born at City. Couldn't fault them and loved the whole thing. Had natural delivery leaning on the bed which did freak out the midwife who kept screaming I should get on the bed. No way that was happening as bub was on it's way out! According to OB poor thing is still recovering from that. She said it was the first time she had attended a birth like that which is a bit worrying but all in all my wishes were very well respected. Also saw LC but only because I requested it myself. BC
91
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 April 2012 - 20:30
So sorry to hear about your experience CitronKB. I hope if you have another baby you have a really good experience. Reading your post makes me feel lucky and grateful that my two deliveries were both so 'easy' and positive. I wish the same for you next time.
604
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 01 April 2012 - 18:39
I am stunned, your experience would be enough to put me off checking in there if I was ever in the preggers club again. Despite it being the busiest day ever, they have a good idea of numbers at least the day before so should be able to manage staffing levels accordingly...if I were you I would send your OP as it is in complaint form to the CH and await their feedback. things will not improve if they believe they gave customer satisfaction. Each persons birth experience is unique and each person deserves to have the treatment/care that they signed up for, delays to pain medication etc are not acceptable IMHO.
164
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 April 2012 - 18:05
CitronKB. I am sorry to hear about your experience. Mine was quite different. I had a normal VB with epidural. They were respectful of my birth plan. Epidural was in within 30 minutes of saying I wanted it and the two midwives who helped me deliver (as I was across shifts too) were lovely. Even the midwives that weren't helping me directly were kind and one lady even stopped me in the corridor as I was wandering and in the midst of a contraction to rub my back to relieve the pain. Birthing ball was in the room when I arrived. I might have missed some of your experiences as item one on my birth plan was unless we ask please leave us alone so we were thankful that they came when asked but also that they weren't in and out all the time. I loved my birth experience (my friends think I am nuts). I did smile at your comment on the remote controls as this is a problem we had too but that got sorted much to the relief of my husband who needed the distraction more than I did :-). The post natal ward was a little more hit and miss. We got one lovely midwife for the two nights we were in ( I cried when she walked in the door the second night as it was a relief to see her). We were there three days and only got a great midwife on the third day. I think the Canadian lady referred to below. The LC came and saw us a couple of times but I have to say the midwives were more helpful as they had more time and were more creative with the ways we could try as DD was not too keen to get started. The physio came and was helpful. The registrars were mixed but not essential, again the midwives were more helpful. The nursing aids were lovely and really helped us learn some of the skills we needed to take DD home. I will definitely go back to City if we have number two but I will get an independent LC organized so I get more assistance withBF. Enjoy bubs and I hope your experience doesn't mean that you didn't enjoy her arrival.
294
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 April 2012 - 13:51
Hi Sparkly shame you didnt want goodie bag, there is a free baby photoshoot voucher from Pink Pepper, so I think it is lovely gift, I also could do without nappy bag but gift voucher from Pink Pepper itself was worth it:)
200
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 April 2012 - 12:56
Hi CitronKB, I also delivered at CH recently. Just to compare experiences, I think it absolutely was due to how busy they were as I had a wonderful experience and joke that I can't wait to go back next time ;-) - I spoke w a Canadian nurse when I called an she was great, FYI I was 3 days early and pregnancy was unremarkable. She was lovely and was the same nurse I met upon admission. I arrived at 4am and she left at 7am. The new midwife was possibly Iranian and though I didn't like the change to a new staff member she was wonderful in the end and stayed with me until delivery. The first midwife explained everything I expected and I felt at ease. - I am shocked that it took so long for them to get you the epidural! Terrible, I would have died before then quite literally!!! I asked for one at 8-9cm and after 12 hours. It then took a maximum of 30 minutes to get it. (as my first birth I realized I should have had that epi a lot sooner!!!!!!) - we had a VIP suite and everything was great. Even when the VIP suite was not yet ready, the service we received in the standard rooms was faultless. In fact we got extra meals by mistake. - I had to ask for a whole day to get the darn cannula out of my hand as it was not required anymore, but otherwise I didnt have to ask for anything else, we got drinks n food ahead of time. I must admit it did take a whole 24 hours to get bubs a bath after birth, which although there are benefits to delaying the first bath, they planned it after 6 hours and then kept delaying it, unsure why. - I had two visits from the lactation consultant but wish I had one more before I left. Reason for this is that the consulting Paediatrician gave me advice to top up by bottle with EBM or formula for mild jaundice and now I have issues with BFing. The LC, in hindsight, would have been a better person to discuss this with as the paeds advice has led to nipple confusion, breast rejection and so on. I wish the LC could chat to the paed and tell him to advise cup feeding before recommending bottle. - I had a visit from the physio but requested it due to a sore back. - I didn't get a goodie bag either but didn't want one as I had two nappy bags already (gifts). They did give me some formula and bottles and a few other little things before I left (pads, expressing equip, formula and teats). - I haven't a bad word to say about Dr Ibrahim! Not an exact match to my birth plan by any means but he was fabulous and I trusted him totally. They broke my waters at 6cm and being a first timer I didn't refuse this, I might not allow that next time but I wasn't really bothered by it. My only complaint would be that they kept giving oxytocin to move things along and it was so intense. I think I entrusted a lot more to the staff with the birth than I planned but was so overwhelmed with pain that I couldn't have done it any other way. Quite a comparison! It is a shame that your experience was in some ways disappointing, but glad to hear that all is well now :-) Hope others find this useful! ETA the birth ball was given to me without requesting it and within 1-2 hours of my admission. Maybe as they were so busy theyre was a shortage? It would be a shame if ppl had to start bringing their own. <em>edited by sparkly on 01/04/2012</em>
205
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 April 2012 - 12:32
Wow CitronKB, thanks for sharing. I'm sorry to hear that things didn't go very nicely for you in terms of the hospital staff. I'm glad that you let us know how it was for you, I was debating whether to bring my own birth ball or not but now I definitely will. I'm sure the nurses/midwifes were stressed and run off their feet but nevertheless it's not your fault that there were so many babies being born at the same time and you shouldn't have suffered in terms of care just because. Also the epidural business seems unfair, having to wait so long for it in the first place and then again for a top up! Also, you shouldn't have to run out of pads, if the hospital says it's something they provide then they should ensure that there is an adequate supply for you during your stay. I bet you were never so glad as to check out and go home! I also heard from another friend of mine who delivered at CH that the lactation consultant did not visit her until her DH went and tracked the LC down and brought her over. I'm delivering at CH too but I guess I'll hope it's a quiet day when I go in.
 
 

ON EXPATWOMAN TODAY