[Angie]

Anyone had a c-section at Prince of Wales, how was it and how did you find the hospital, staff etc.

[rani]

Angie,

Didyou read the reviews here:

http://www.geobaby.com/com/mxdirecto...ital---shatin/

Rani

[MayC]

Hi Angie, I had a c-section at the Prince of Wales not long ago - mid September 2004. In fact, I was hospitalised 2 weeks prior to that because I had placenta previa. In total, I stayed 3 weeks at the public maternity ward. I must say that I was very impressed with the service I got. Initially, I wanted to have my baby at the Union hospital but because I started to bleed before Week 34, I was advised to go to the Prince of Wales (better facilities to handle prematurity). There were about 6 sections in the maternity ward - each consisting of 10 beds, 5 on either side. You can draw curtains if you wanted privacy. There is a tv at each section and some Chinese magazines. They have 2 showers and three toilets to be shared by all 6 sections. Sometimes you have to wait but mostly you don't. Sometimes, the ward would be packed (all beds occupied) but some days there would be only 2 occupants in a section. The nurses were wonderful and so were the doctors. They were really helpful. They taught me how to use the breastpumps and were very patient in helping me out of bed after my c-section. I was rushed to the labour ward twice. The first time I was there, they kept me on bedrest for 2 days. They had one nurse in charge of me 24 hours. She gave me a wash each day, moistened my lips when they were dry (I was on a drip), gave me a radio to listen to, held my hand when I was crying etc. She even called a pediatrician to talk to me when I got scared over my baby's health (she had to be born early). Everything went smoothly. I had an emergency c-section but baby was healthy = 10/10 on the apgar scored. I had ten stitches but the cut was shorter than I thought. The nurses also helped me all day with breastfeeding. I was unsuccessful at it, though, not because of the nurses but I couldn't bear seeing my baby cry so I gave in to the bottles.
One thing good about being in a room with so many is that if you need help (ie. getting in and out of bed) and you feel embarrassed calling the nurses all the time, all the patients around you would offer to help.
They say that expatriates get better treatment but I'm a Chinese and I thought I was treated really well.
My doctor during my stay there was also fabulous. I was so scared about my baby's health that she allowed me to have an earlier ultrasound just to put my mind at rest. That helped me through my difficult time.
There was also this one time where I was so hysterical from my bleeds that they allowed my husband to come in for 10 minutes during non-visiting hours to calm me. Of course, the nurse had to announce to all the patients at my section that my husband was coming in and if it was allright.
They were wonderful. I'd have my next baby there too but I'm going back to Sydney for my second one - mum's a midwife :-)

[Angie]

Hi May

Thanks for the info, it really helps to hear of other peoples experiences. It sounds like they have a really caring staff which I am sure makes all the difference. I know you had a long stay at the hospital but is there anything you would recommend to take with specifically. Do you know how they feel about birth plans, I have a few specific things that are important to me and I just want to find the best way to let them know what they are.

Glad to hear you and your little one are doing well may you share years of happiness and love.

Regards
Angie