John Flynn Private Hospital Gold Coast

[~Mara~]

Just wanting feedback on this hospital. And also of Dr Trueman if possible.

DD was born at Pindara and I had a really aweful experience there and not sure if I could go back.

[~Mara~]

C"mon guys!!!! there must be some of you out there!!!

Well DH and I went and did a tour at JF this afternoon and I must say that there is just no comparison. It's beautiful, has wonderful birthing suites with a huge round spa bath for waterbirth. There is no constant ding dong buzzer noise going 24 hours a day (if you've been to Pindara you'll know what I mean). it is very waterbirth and VBAC friendly . Oh and the ocean views aren't too bad either

[Mum2Willie]

I have been to Pindara and John Flynn. I had awful experience at Pindara - actually nearly died due to blood loss and lack of monitoring by nurses! John Flynn was outstanding! Nurses brilliant!!! So supportive! Set up and facilities awsome. I had Dr Dutt and he was BRILLIANT! He was recommended at the very best to me and I totally agree!

[~Mara~]

Mum2willie, that's terrible. Do you mind if I ask who your OB was at Pindara?
I'm so glad you had a wonderful experience at John Flynn.

My experience at Pindara was quite an unpleasant one (nothing like yours though). I was not given pain killers when I should have been, got almost no help with breastfeeding (it wasn't picked up til they weighed Charli on day 5 and she'd lost too much weight that my milk had not even come in) and I was dismissed when I tried to tell one of the midwives my pee was the colour of port wine (sorry TMI) and that I had a bladder infection (which I indeed did).
I actually went back to Pindara to see a friend who had just had a bub a few weeks back and it was the first time I'd been there since I had Charli. I felt really claustrophobic there and the memories of my not-so-nice experience came flooding back.

The only thing that ties me to the possibility of going back is the fact that my OB understands how upset I was with my birth experience (I had a CS under a general anaesthetic) and she has agreed to help me have a better experience next time (either VBAC or maternal-assisted caesarean) so the thought of going to a new OB at a new hospital is a little daunting.

[Mum2Willie]

Dismissive is an excellent way to explain the behaviour of the nurses at Pindara. I kept telling them something was wrong and they kept saying it was normal! The next night though, I was checked every 15mins but too late by then.

I had Dr Mullens first and changed OB as I didn't like him. Then moved to Dr O'Dowd who seemed very understanding and supportive - but left me all night. Don't know whether that is because the nurses didn't report to him (I think that is the case). When he came in the morning though, his actions did save my life! So think it was the nursing staff that were the issue not the doctor. He does have an excellent rep from what I have heard.

John Flynn was brilliant. The nurses were OUTSTANDING! Never ever once dismissed me. Their procedures for checking that you have all the skills required to be successful when you leave was great. They had a checklist that had to be signed off and checked before you departed - with all the skills and health issues that need to be checked, modelled and explained daily. They also have a helpline free to you after you leave so you can ring and talk to a midwife any time.

I wish you all the best at Pindara. My only other suggestion is go to John Flynn for a tour. They do free tours every Saturday afternoon from memory. Hope everything goes well for you.

[Kyote78]

Spice, I was a patient of Dr Truman's with DD born Dec 07 and am seeing him again for No.2 due in May 09. I can't speak highly enough of him and know 5 other mums who are pregnant and patients of his at the moment (3 repeats and 2 who have changed from Pindara due to bad experiences there and because of recommendations to Dr T). I have never heard a bad report about him and he is very supportive of minimal intervention (I had a drug free waterbirth with DD and plan the same with no. 2). Good luck getting into him though if you are preg already.....I recommend making that appointment moments after getting a BFP!
Oh, and the hospital is lovely! Just like staying in a nice hotel! I was well cared for and LOVED my midwife!

[~Mara~]

Hi Kyote, thanks for the reply! JF is sounding good! Oh and yes as soon as I get my I'l be ringing Dr Truemans rooms to book in. The only thing that worries me is I'm all the way up the northern end of the coast. It taked 28 minutes on the highway to get to JF if the traffic is good but I'd hate to be stuck in a traffic jam in labour.

[~Mara~]

PS: Kyote, do you know any VBAC mums who have gone with Dr Trueman?

[Kyote78]

I know one who planned to have one but bubs was breach (same reason for first CS) so she missed out unfortunatley!

[~Mara~]

Hi again Kyote, just wondnering, does Dr Trueman do a scan at each visit?

[Kyote78]

He has scanned me at almost all my appointments. He does one always at the first appointment and all the appointments in the last month or 2. He missed a couple in the middle but if you ask him to scan he scans......if he doesn't scan he lets you listen to the HB. He charges a fee when he scans but if its just a quickie he doesnt charge you for it.
Good luck with your thyroidectomy! And good luck TTCing!!

[Amsta]

Hey there girls ive been reading your posts and its great to see that you have taken the time to comment on John Flynn Private Hospital.

I live in brisbane and just moved here from byron bay area, we chose to go with John Flynn because it was in the middle if we moved or if we didnt and we had to make a decision on an obstetrician and hospital.

We have gone with Dr Doolabh and i have to say that i have found himself and the midwife that does every appointment with him very helpful.. they check my weight, blood pressure, bubs heart beat and put bub on ultra sound at every appointment. They have been very supportive to answer any questions and as we are interested in a water birth they have even offered suggestions of lavander and oil burners to assist in relaxing and calming.

I am 24 weeks pregnant and very nervous about labour and feel very confident with the dr that i have chosen and the hospital is.. like you have all said very supportive.

Apparently the food is great, hubby/partner can stay with you in the same bed and they are more than helpful with making your stay comfortable and informative.

I know i havent stayed yet.. but its making the idea of going to hospital a whole lot more exciting.. and more comfortable i also like taht we can stay the full 4 days if we would like to without feeling we need to leave earlier.

Thank you and look forward to hearing more about John Flynn Hospital!

[Tygress]

HI Mara,

I have tried to respond to your post in another thread I started about John Flynn OB's but bellybelly wont let me post in it for some reason!!

I am under Dr Shiri Dutt - who is fantastic. We did the tour of the birth unit and it was great.
I have chosen to avoid Pindara as I have worked there for many years and just don't have a good feeling about the place and also everyone I know who has had babies has been to Pindara and had CS!

[~Mara~]

Hi There,

Just looking for some updated feedback on JF Hospital.

Who was your Ob and what did you think of them?

How was your hospital stay post birth?

[CrystalBoo]

Mara, I had DD there in 2007 with Dr Trueman and am seeing him again for my current pregnancy.
He never made me feel bad in any way, encourages questions etc., though keeps things on a very professional basis, (as opposed to my paed who loves a good chat for example).

I ended up with an EC but he stated at the time he would be encouraging a VBAC for my next pregnancy. The hospital is very baby friendly, I had DD with me during recovery (and BFing too then) She ended up catching a virus (from DH ) and was put in the nursery on Day 3, we were there 11 days all up and I can't fault the way we were both treated. I was allowed to stay on in my private room as a 'border mum', still fed meals and everything.
The midwives were so supportive of a first time mum absolutely freaking out about her new bub being sick, having to express, tube feed etc., not having DH there for support.

I'm at the northern end of the coast, but I think the trip down is worth it for the positive experience I had. Feel free to PM me if you want more detail.

[~Mara~]

Thanks so much for your reply Crystalboo.

I am still really torn. JF sounds lovely. But the things that worry me are
1. I want an OB who will understand how traumatic I found my previous ECS. It was under a general anaesthetic (cause the anaesthetist couldn't ge the epi in properly) and that is something I desperately want to avoid.
And 2, I have put on a stack of weight since I had Charli because of a few medical issues,and I'm now a size 18-20 and I want an OB who will not give me a hard time because of my weight. Because apart from being chunky I'm fairly healthy. Normal BP, Normal blood sugar levels etc etc.

The Ob I had at Pindara knows how devastated I was about the last birth and she also never thought my size was an issue (although I was a bit smaller back then) so that's kind of why I'm drawn to go back to her even though my stay at Pindara after the birth was terrible. I had very little support from the midwives. JF seems so much better in that respect.

[CrystalBoo]

Mara, I can't see Dr Trueman giving anyone a hard time about anything! lol He just isn't the type to get on your case I don't think. When I stated that I didn't want any tests for Down's etc, or to do ante-natal classes, he just acknowledged it and moved on.

I also think he, and the midwives, would take your concerns about your previous birth very seriously. I loved every single midwife I came in contact with during our long stay. You have an appointment with a midwife to show you around the suites, go through your expectations etc. too, at some point (I think toward the end of your pregnancy).

One annoying thing is the amount of time you sometimes have to wait at appointments. From what I can gather, that seems to be fairly normal for most OBs though? Anyway, this time I am doing share-care with my local GP, so less appointments down at JF.

HTH, good luck with your decision.

[~Mara~]

Originally Posted by CrystalBoo

Mara, I can't see Dr Trueman giving anyone a hard time about anything! lol He just isn't the type to get on your case I don't think. When I stated that I didn't want any tests for Down's etc, or to do ante-natal classes, he just acknowledged it and moved on.

I also think he, and the midwives, would take your concerns about your previous birth very seriously. I loved every single midwife I came in contact with during our long stay. You have an appointment with a midwife to show you around the suites, go through your expectations etc. too, at some point (I think toward the end of your pregnancy).

One annoying thing is the amount of time you sometimes have to wait at appointments. From what I can gather, that seems to be fairly normal for most OBs though? Anyway, this time I am doing share-care with my local GP, so less appointments down at JF.

HTH, good luck with your decision.

Thanks Crystal Boo, thats good to know. I have just found out about a New Ob at JF who has come up from the central coast. A Dr Neil Wallman, and he's been really raved about in another forum. Hmm, decisions, decisions . . .