Southmead Maternity Services - Bristol

katie L.

Awful my family and myself will be making a complaint to the discrimination and access. This hospital is unaware that a retroverted uterus can hide a scan . I asked the nurse not to tell my partner any information as I wanted too and the nurse blanked me and told him . They reported me to social services for going for a scan and making out I was making up everything. I use to help with complaints and will certainly be taking this further than pals . Absolutely disgusting treatment. If they check c Somerset private scan information plus google research a retroverted uterus can hide a pregnancy as it also did with my
friend . I will be going for my private scan in 16 weeks In brridgewater as the retroverted uturus gos flat then .

Katie

The staff had no clue about a retroverted uterus. I went for the scan and previously went private ( on the Somerset scan it clearly saids a retroverted uterus,can make a 12 week scan difficult and at 16 weeks tge uturus goes flat ) now because I was told at 12 weeks I'm taking nonsense, they have called social services on me ! Be aware you confront them and stick up for just wanting medical care they can try and make your life hell. Awful hospital

Emily

On the whole, fantastic care provided by Southmead Maternity Services from first scan appointment to giving birth.

The antenatal clinic was well run despite being very busy. Reception staff very helpful. Scan staff informative. Nurse providing whooping cough vaccine kind. Consultant very reassuring discussing concerns and advising best options.

The Chill Clinic at Cossham Hospital (get referred by your midwife if you go overdue) was absolutely fantastic! I think my birth plan and birth would have been very different had it not been for a very honest chat with the midwife running it around what I wanted from labour and we discussed induction options in detail. She gave incredibly helpful advice to me that helped me stay calm and focussed.

Induction clinic at Southmead - midwife doing membrane sweep was informative. Long wait to speak to doctor about induction options - I had lots of questions as I was worried about it potentially leading to a Caesarian which I wanted to avoid. Doctor was very helpful and after listening to my concerns gave me honest advice around what induction could be worth pursuing and potential risks of interventions from those.

I attended the antenatal assessment clinic for 2 further membrane sweeps and recommended daily CTG checks. One doctor there did seem very pro-induction there and then just because I was overdue but with no other risk factors, and I did feel like they didn’t well consider my wishes to wait until a specific date overdue for induction, but everyone else was supportive and happy discussing my options with waiting. There were delays being seen as they were incredibly busy, but I was fine with that.

Later induction (ARM and hormone drip) on the labour delivery ward. Birth was a fantastic experience there. The private room was clean, comfortable and had a large en-suite. The midwives (before and after shift change) were so welcoming and explained everything before they did anything, read and acknowledged my birth plan, and were incredibly supportive of enabling me to have a labour as close to what I wanted as possible. The midwives Isabelle and Ella were so considerate, encouraging and communicative throughout breaking my waters, connecting the hormone drip, explaining options for stopping vomiting if I wanted them, monitoring the baby (via CTG and internal), and gas and air if I wanted it, letting me get in to the position I wanted to be in, and reassuring me. Birth felt like a very calm, controlled, empowering moment - and me being able to remain calm and controlled was very much thanks to the supportive midwives observing and letting me do my thing and stepping in where they needed to or I asked them to. I cannot fault the care they gave me or my baby and if you get them as your midwives then count yourself very lucky!

Theatre staff to fix tears were fantastic. They let your partner and baby come in with you and sit next to you/do things like weigh baby whilst they work on you, which helped time pass quickly and kept me calm. Theatre staff were very communicative about an existing health issue they needed to be considerate of and made me feel in very safe hands.

The postnatal ward was very different to the private labour delivery room. Busy, loud, cramped, with heavy squeaky roller toilet doors (that I even struggled to move without a Caesarian), but I appreciate it’s an old ward and they have to make the best of it. The staff were however all helpful and responsive, and absolutely fantastic during a brief temperature drop in baby and quick check in NICU. All also very helpful providing advice on establishing breastfeeding.

I recommend reading up on your options in advance so you are informed, advocate for yourself, and if there’s something you really want/don’t want, make this clear and I am sure staff will do everything they can to try support that.

Harriet L.

Midwives communicated WELL with us and between each other. Very good at explaining. Reassuring and responsible. Had to use phone translator..we shall try not to next time. Cesaerian theatre team FANTASTIC.
Reception team have rules but how to communicate with them is beyond me. They have 2 screens and can't find my relative... I feel sorry for them as they apologise!

S K.

I have two children solely because of their wonderful staff getting me through two very difficult pregnancies. What better review can a maternity service have?!! Any shortcomings are not due to the staff or the hospital - it is down the the system and lack of support for our struggling NHS. These fantastic heroic fabulous humans need our appreciation and kindness - we will forever be so thankful to Southmead hospital for the rest of our lives.

Erica G.

My daughter had outstanding care throughout her pregnancy. Thank you to the community midwives and the numerous hospital staff at Southmead hospital. You were all, caring, professional,
empathetic and overall fabulous. We are so grateful to your attention to detail.
Asal, I hope Southmead snap you up.

Jess

I couldn’t rate my experience any more highly with the team at Southmead. I had my little boy almost 3 weeks ago. I initially went in for an induction but had some complications during my labor which lead to an emergency c-section. From start to finish, my midwives, surgeons, anesthetist, doctors were incredible. I felt so safe throughout the whole experience even though it’s probably the most vulnerable I’ve ever felt. Everyone was kind, supportive and just took care of me so well. I don’t remember everyone’s names but of the few I can remember, Maisy, Thea, Hannah, Asal, Mercedes and the rest of the team who took care of me and my little one - thank you so much for everything 🤍 I couldn’t have asked for a better team x

Is B.

I think everyone in Southmead Maternity Unit is absolutely fantastic. My baby was delivered by c section on 26.10.23 after being in and out for 2 days and I could not fault the care I recieved in theater, just before and for another nearly 4 days after. Everyone was fantastic from consultants, anesthesiologists, surgeons, obstrectritians, nurses, midwives, and all assistants involved in delivery of baby known as "Sausage", and obviously a great care afterwards. I just want to say big thank you to you all. You were fantastic!!! Ludwina and Baby "Sausage"