St V's or Francis Perry? The good and the bad........ - Pregnancy, Birth & Baby Forums ~ BellyBelly

Jo-O · #1 (**permalink**) October 19th, 2009, 01:38 PM

H All,

Just needing a little help on choosing a hospital for no 2, (Hopeful VBAC).
I'm tossing between St Vincent's Private and Francis Perry in melbourne.

Has anyone had a VBAC at either, how did you find the midwives and care both birthing and after?

I had my first at Freemason's private and was disspointed to say the least at the complete lack of care i got there, both birthing and aftercare.

Thanks in advance.

fionaw · #2 (**permalink**) October 19th, 2009, 01:43 PM

The below is the experience of my SIL. She didn't have a VBAC so can't comment on that aspect of your question.

My SIL had her first baby at St V's Private. She was very unhappy with the midwives and after birth care. She had her second baby at Frances Perry and was very, very happy with the care provided from the midwives (both during and after labour) as well as the lactation consultant. She tells me that the lactation consultant and midwives were the difference between being able to successful breastfeed her second child as opposed to her first.

Nai · #3 (**permalink**) October 19th, 2009, 01:44 PM

Jo, I had an attempted VBAC at Frances Perry earlier this year and the midwives and care there was fantastic. I had support and encouragement through the process and although I didn't get my VBAC I would still recommend FPH.

Additionally when things did go pear-shaped they moved so quickly that DD2 was out within 25 minutes which ultimately saved her life (and probably mine) so the response time was brilliant.

ETA: the lactation room and consultants there were awesome.

Falguni · #4 (**permalink**) October 19th, 2009, 01:49 PM

i didn't have a v-bac, but i have birthed 2 girls at StV private. The staff were great, i had wonderful midwives who were fully supportive of a natural birth.

Carrie · #5 (**permalink**) October 20th, 2009, 07:32 AM

I had a VBAC at Francis Perry, although only got there in the last stages. The midwife I had was great so I was very lucky. The care after was okay. I was left to myself bit, maybe because it was my second. I would have liked a little more help though as it was like a first (my first was 12 weeks early so completely different). My Ob was great though - David Friedin.