Ulster Hospital Maternity Unit

nozzadamozza

Hi Everyone

I know this isnt money-related but have checked in arkonite_babe's sticky and hope i could get some advice before this is moved to another section:o

I am going for my first appointment at the ante-natel clinic the Ulster Hospital on Monday and am really begining to panic.

I was asked which hospital did I want to go to and I said the Ulster as I live in the east of the city. Now for some reason, everyone I know is going to the Royal- I dont know why! Has any one any experience of the Ulster hospitals maternity unit?

I am also dreading the consultation itself! I am really hoping I am not going to meet a horrible doc or midwife - cos I have been waiting so long to see someone, and I am afraid that if they are horrible, I will become like the incredible hulk!!!!!:eek:

wanttobeasaver

Ive Had Both My Children In The Ulster & Its Fantastic........every1 Really Nice.........

They Have A New Unit Even Since Then Top Of The Art Suites & Everything -you'll Be Grand & All The Best!!

nozzadamozza

thanks wanttobeasaver- I've been up to high doh for the past 5 weeks, so this is much relief!!!

seatzie

if you live in the East why would you drive across town to have a baby?ignore any scare stories you hear, I could tell you a few about the Royal, the Ulster is really good especially the new Maternity Wing they've built, relax and enjoy the next few months

BelfastMish

The Ulster is great - i highly recommend it. I had my baby there not so long ago and the staff were brilliant- even taking her away for a couple of hours after the birth so i could get some sleep. Don't worry - all the midwives were lovely. Good luck and congratulations!

PS i have heard some not so good stories about the Royal too

nozzadamozza

thank you seatzie & BelfastMish- thats is so good to hear- i know someone from about 15 miles outside belfast who goes to the Royal and someone who goes to it from Castlewellan:eek: - I was worried I was missing out on some vital piece of information! And I dont drive, so it would be silly to have to bus it into the city centre then head out to the royal- well now to get the first appointment over with - thanks again:)

Girlzmum

I had both my girls in the Royal - stick with the Ulster!

carlamagee

i had my baby (just a couple weeks off a year ago now!! -- how scary!) in the ulster in the new suites, and its great!! so good, they said i could go home, but i stayed an extra day - just for the comfort!!
it really is lovely -- i got one of the side rooms, so it was just me n my baby!!
couldnt reccommend it enough!!!
Good luck!!!

itsmylife_2

Some people can be sent to the Royal if there is a risk of complication in their pregnancy, or if they work in town and it suits them for antenatal appointments, theres a whole host of reasons why the people you know are booked in at the Royal.

I had my little one in the Ulster a couple of years ago, and the staff were amazing. Now they have the brand new unit it is amazing, and you have more choices for birth - they have the home from home suite which I have only heard good things about. For me it was important to be somewhere where the baby facilities were good incase anything happened to the baby (i'm a bit of a worrier over those things), and the Ulster has an excellent neonatal unit and therefore paediatric doctors in the hospital 24/7.

As for scare stories, I think that comes with having a baby, everyone you talk to knows someone who had a bad experience in various hospitals... it kind of comes with the territory unfortunately.

When you are at your booking in appointment, ask if there would be an opportunity to see around the new unit at some stage, you'll probably not get to see it there and then, but they are always showing people around.

Good Luck and enjoy your first appointment ( I assume you'd be due a first scan! Drink plenty of fluids, so you have a full bladder and get to see a great pic!), let us know how you get on.

natasha8642

I had my son at the MLU (midwife lef unit) in Craigavon hospital and was it was fantastic. At same time a friend had a child in the Royal and it was a completely different experience, midwives there were run of their feet and very tired.

rjh090384

i had my bub 6 months ago in ulster it was grand. only thing i didnt like as a first time mum was that i was induced and noone came to see me for about 4 hours after my 3rd pessary and i would have liked someone to ask who i was. also u have to ask for the gas and air urself. i also left it too late to ask for the remyfentaol as the anaesthetist was too busy for 4 hours and i ended up with a pethidine stoned baby! staff were lovely very helpful. even looked after my baby for an hour so i coudl snooze. TIP: if u want a private room and ur being induced turn up b4 everyone else. i was there half an hour b4 they asked me and no beds were ready except private room!! u will be fine. the antenatel staff spend ages with you!! good luck!