SW Ireland - Tralee General Maternity Vs CUMH?

Plek Trum · 08-04-2014 6:29pm #1

Hello all,
just found out we are having our very first baby yesterday, all going well he/she/they (!) will be with us for Christmas!

As its early days I cant really ask questions of family and friends just yet but would appreciate peoples opinions / experiences of Tralee General Hospital and Cork Univ. Maternity Hospital.

Tralee is about a 50 minute drive for us and Cork is approx. 2hrs 15mins.
We know the road to Cork inside out after years of travel so that doesn't worry me.

Unfortunately I have heard mixed reports of deliveries and care in Tralee (lack of equipment, reluctance to call in specialists in situations, misdiagnosis even of a miscarriage - child is now 5!) ...YET I know a few women who are awful worriers and stressers and they have all had their children there -so things cant be all that bad right?

My sister and other friends had their babies in CUMH and were very impressed with everything, I've only ever heard amazing reports from there.

Meeting with my GP on Thursday for a chat etc and would really appreciate peoples experiences before I commit to a hospital etc going forward.

Many thanks in advance - exciting times, eeeek ...:)

pwurple · 08-04-2014 7:44pm

Congratulations!
I just had my second baby in CUMH, and was happy with it again. Excellent range of specialists there, and the equipment is new.

That's a bloody long drive though. I know at the start it isn't a big deal, but in the last month of pregnancy it can be appointments once a week, or every few days if you go overdue. It can also be very uncomfortable to drive. You'r talking about 5 hour round trip of driving per day for those appointments. It won't be eay, that's for sure.

Do you work? You will end up taking full days off for hosp appointments instead of half days also, as they can take 3-4 hours when straightforward.

monflat · 08-04-2014 8:25pm

Hi there
Congrats on ur great news.
I cant comment on the services in either hospital but i can only comment on the journey time im livin 20 mins from portlaoise and 35 from kilkenny . Ive had my two in kilkenny and will be havin third there in sept.

. Just think of the journey if you go to cumh all along for care/ appointments etc you dont want your baby to be born at the side of the road either if you start labour at home and dont make it. Or if you start labour and can only make it to tralee.

Also when you are tired, no one to drive you to appointments and the extra time you are on the road with all those lunatic drivers out there.

Is that journey time with heavy traffic or without ?
Also i suppose no one knows what symptoms you could have.
I was extremely fit and healthy on first but i still developed SPD i could hardly walk.
Also remember your 2 and a bit hour journey could turn to three hours plus if you desperatly need to use toilet again and again.

Just a few things to think of. I currently drive one hour of motorway driving to work im 18 weeks but if it turns my stomach to have to get into that bloddy car on my day off to go do the shoppin !!!!

Just think of all those extra things near the end baby stickin in your ribs, heartburn, toilet stops,
Your bump being uncomfortable itching scratching. Leg cramps sciatiaca

Just trying to be practical dont want to put you off !
Hope whatever you decide is the best for you

I dont want to scare ypu

Plek Trum · 08-04-2014 8:58pm

Thanks guys - some very good points and yes, it will get rather tedious if I am facing the journey so often, especially towards the end (hadn't really thought of that!) Also, the time off work would be an issue, I don't get paid for sick days, hospital appointment days etc and I would much rather face a few hours off than a day (keep that savings pot growing... who knew travel systems were SO expensive!)

Thanks for advice, really is appreciated - Monflat, wow, the beauty of motherhood eh, haha!

If anyone had their baby in Tralee I would love to hear about your experiences, thanks...

January · 08-04-2014 9:06pm

Plek Trum wrote: »

Thanks guys - some very good points and yes, it will get rather tedious if I am facing the journey so often, especially towards the end (hadn't really thought of that!) Also, the time off work would be an issue, I don't get paid for sick days, hospital appointment days etc and I would much rather face a few hours off than a day (keep that savings pot growing... who knew travel systems were SO expensive!)

Thanks for advice, really is appreciated - Monflat, wow, the beauty of motherhood eh, haha!

If anyone had their baby in Tralee I would love to hear about your experiences, thanks...

By law you have to be paid for time off for maternity appointments.

Plek Trum · 08-04-2014 9:20pm

Thanks for that January - just to clarify, is that only from 12 week period onwards? Had a quick look at cittzens advice page there and it seems to be? We underwent IVF which involved several days off towards the end, all of which I took as annual leave. I have scan next Thurs (17th) and possibly 1st May too. Would these count as maternity appointments? Any links to 'official' legislation would be great and hugely appreciated... thanks!

monflat · 08-04-2014 9:24pm

Plek Trum wrote: »

Thanks for that January - just to clarify, is that only from 12 week period onwards? Had a quick look at cittzens advice page there and it seems to be? We underwent IVF which involved several days off towards the end, all of which I took as annual leave. I have scan next Thurs (17th) and possibly 1st May too. Would these count as maternity appointments? Any links to 'official' legislation would be great and hugely appreciated... thanks!

Absolutly they would count. But i suppose it depends on when you are goin to tell your emoloyer. You get 4 hours i think.
People correct me if im wrong

January · 08-04-2014 9:27pm

Plek Trum wrote: »

Thanks for that January - just to clarify, is that only from 12 week period onwards? Had a quick look at cittzens advice page there and it seems to be? We underwent IVF which involved several days off towards the end, all of which I took as annual leave. I have scan next Thurs (17th) and possibly 1st May too. Would these count as maternity appointments? Any links to 'official' legislation would be great and hugely appreciated... thanks!

Have a look at this link - http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/employment_rights_and_conditions/leave_and_holidays/maternity_leave.html

Specifically, this paragraph.

Medical visits
Once your pregnancy is confirmed you may take reasonable time off for medical visits connected with the pregnancy. There is no maximum or minimum amount of time off specified for these visits. Rather, you are entitled to as much time off as is necessary to attend each visit. This includes the time required to travel to and from the appointment and the time taken for the appointment itself.

You will need to provide your employer with medical evidence confirming the pregnancy, giving 2 weeks’ notice of your medical visits. You should show your appointment card if requested by your employer at any time after your first appointment. You may also take time off for medical visits after the birth for up to 14 weeks following the birth. You are entitled to be paid while keeping these medical appointments both before and after the birth.

lollsangel · 08-04-2014 9:33pm

From experience go with the nearest hospital, not easy making 2 hours trips at 8 months. Have had plenty of friends give birth in tralee gen with no issues xxx

cyning · 08-04-2014 10:20pm

Hi Congratulations

I've had two babies in Tralee since 2012 the second just 4 weeks ago. In all fairness the facilities might not be as good as a maternity hospital that is in Cork. But I've had two high risks pregnancies and I have the two lying here in the bed with me healthy and well. I went public on both and had scans at almost every appointment. I was admitted 7 times on my first pregnancy for various reasons including bleeding and was very well looked after. And I'm a massive worry wart believe me!

There's 3 consultants in Kerry: I have great time for two of them the third doesn't have as good a reputation at all but I've personally had no dealings with her. I was under Dr Hughes for both mine and he's a fabulous doctor.

Cons wise, there's no anomaly scan available, but you can pay to get one done privately elsewhere. If you go public and have a normal pregnancy you only get one scan at your booking appt which is at 20weeks approximately.

I live 30 minutes from Tralee and 60 from Limerick aprox. I picked Tralee. Hope that helps a bit??

Plek Trum · 09-04-2014 9:14am

Congratulations Cyning - and thanks for taking the time to post, not easy with 2 babies around - well done you!

Its reassuring to read your post, especially when you had high risk pregnancies and that all is well. I always thought it is important to hear stories from mothers who have actually been treated there recently rather than second hand stories from 'a friend of a friend'. Definitely puts my mind at rest hearing good things. I'm not too precious about facilities as such, to me once the basics are clean and my child is in good hands I can put up with minor inconveniences (I say now, gosh, my naievity haha!)

Best of luck to you and your family and thanks again, x

ncmc · 09-04-2014 7:56pm

I think 2.5 hours is FAR to long to travel for hospital appointments. Were you planning on going public or private? Just as an example, I had my 32 week check up in CUMH today, I'm a public patient and I was in there 2.5 hours. So with your 5 hours travel, you would be literally talking about a full day wasted on appointments! You can visit your GP for some appointments, but bear in mind your visits will be getting more frequent in the dead of winter which isn't pleasant for driving at the best of times, never mind when you're heavily pregnant. Plus a 2.5 hour drive while possibly in labour? I can't imagine anything worse! Make life easy on yourself, go with Tralee. I'm sure you'll be well looked after, there are horror stories with every hospital. I think you're always more likely to hear the bad stories than the vast number of 'normal' stories.

Best of luck with whatever you decide. And big congrats, you must be on cloud nine after going through ivf.

Plek Trum · 09-04-2014 8:05pm

Thanks ncmc - experience tells a lot alright. The journey to and from Cork for the IVF alone was a commitment and that was while we were comfortable and enthusiastic about the process (journey softened with many meals at The Mills in Ballyvourney on the way home haha!) Your points are valid for sure, thanks for input

pwurple · 09-04-2014 8:48pm

Are you thinking public or private Plek Trum? The reason I ask, is that with private in cork, your appointments would be that bit faster, and you could possibly plan your labour, either to be induced or elective section to avoid the risky 2.5 hour middle of winter drive for the birth.

Your partner/husband would possibly want to go to the appointments as well, as well as save some annual leave for the baby.

You never know how a pregnancy is going to go, pelvic pain towards the end can be agonising for people. I didn't have spd, but found cars very uncomfortable in the last month of pregnancy, and was nervous of the seatbelt position in case of an accident. I tried to avoid the car where I could at that stage.

ncmc · 09-04-2014 9:04pm

Also something to consider (and I know it's something no one wants to think about) if your labour was an emergency situation, you could end up in Tralee anyway. At least if that were to happen, you'd be in familiar surroundings and with a doctor you know and trust. There's even little things like I had to go to the hospital unexpectedly due to reduced movement. Thankfully everything was ok, but wouldn't have fancied driving 2.5 hours while worried. Or being in a strange hospital. Sorry, I don't mean to come across as negative, but these things do happen so it's worth considering those logistics.

Plek Trum · 10-04-2014 9:39am

Thanks guys - I have VHI but to be honest after hearing about the small differences between public and private at CUMH I think we'd be as happy public. Plus we have literally just bought our first home (in the process of moving last 2 weeks - all go!) and another bill for a few thousand after the birth well, we would rather not face that!

Meeting with my GP this evening and will chat it all through with her, but to be honest I think common sense, practicality and the best all round option is Tralee. Far more convenient for appointments, I can possibly still make a half day at work so as to keep things happy there and if there are complications or a few back to back appointments, Tralee is much more do-able. Plus for my family and partner its easier for visiting or if I need a lift towards the end of the pregnancy it wouldn't be a problem.

Had my first bout of morning sickness this morning, ending up laughing - we'll se if that's still the case after 8 months (!)

ncmc · 10-04-2014 10:36am

I think that’s a good choice Plektrum, it can be a difficult and tiring enough time without heaping extra hassle on yourself. Congrats again and best of luck with the pregnancy and in your new home.

cyning · 10-04-2014 8:19pm

Hope you got on well with GP

SW Ireland - Tralee General Maternity Vs CUMH?

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