independent midwives - who aren't homeopaths!

[Saffron]

Oakwood Midwives were fab. We had a very good service from them. Sadly overall, I don't rate the rest of Forest Hill Road Practice, whom I am no longer with.

My regular GP manipulated me into giving our daughter additional vitamin K drops at one postnatal app, then hassled me appallingly when I deviated from the standard immunisation schedule (we started a bit later and have more time in between).

Another GP there told me *wrongly* that I would have to stop breastfeeding my 2 month old daughter if I wanted to go on meds for postnatal depression.

And the final straw was the HV referring me to a nutritionist (a nutritionist?! she didn't even know the difference from a dietician!!) when my exclusively breastfed daughter was gaining weight slowly. She also gave me a bunch of rubbish advice about breastfeeding. We saw a private specialist who told us everything was fine in the end.

I would go to Forest Hill Road Practice for the Oakwood Midwives, then change practices after the birth.

[Kes]

Thanks for all the advice re Oakwood / Forest Hill road - does anyone know if they do blood tests on site? I have to have them regularly for a minor condition and it's really inconvenient to drag all the way to Dulwich hospital from Nunhead and then try to keep a toddler calm for 2 hours in the waiting room, that might make the difference as to weather it's worth changing at this point given the mixed reviews.

K

[crystal7]

Can't believe I forgot to mention the HVs at Forest Hill Road Practice. Your experience sounds familiar Saffron! I would avoid at all costs. This time I'm not going to bother going to the baby clinic apart from for immunisations.

[simonethebeaver]

Yes, I've read stuff on here before about the HVs there - the reason I've started another thread on here to be honest!

Sadly blood tests are at Dulwich, Kes. Although I've never asked if there's an alternative.

[buggie]

I'm with FHR and have also had fun with the HV's (there's only so much that my professional experience can help with).

Had them try to ref bugglet to out pts as having been born below the 0.4th centile, she remained still below the 0.4th centile (despite br/feeding well). She's now well into weaning and at last weigh in was above 0.4th centile - am v happy, but when I got home and looked in red book it said "now feeding well" grrr... even when giving top-up's, she still fed well, just not to their standard!

Luckily the out pt ref was put on ice after being seen by Dr Greaves - as she had 2 arms, 2 legs and was breathing he wasn't worried!

Needless to say the Oakwood MW's were fantastic (hello if any are having a peak ;-)) and hoping that when/if we have No 2 I'm still in their catchment.

[teagan]

I used Rene from South East London midwives for all 3 of my children. She was fantastic, I would recommend her. She was very calm and reassuring and I had 3 easy births.