Thinking of having baby in 'Mount Carmel', Dublin. Any experiences?

[ice]

At the end of the day experiences vary greatly from person to person.
I know 4 ladies who attended Mount Carmel and loved it and the same number who hated it.

It can depend on so many factors.... if you have complicaitons, how busy the hospital is on the night you give birth, if your consultant is on holiday, whether or not you happen to get the nicest or the grumpiest midwife present at the birth, how long you have to stay in hospital after the birth etc etc

My kids were born at Holles Street using the domino scheme. A team of highly experienced midwives. I never had to wait for appointments and found the care to be excellent. It did not cost me anything and I would highly recommend this service (although it is only open to certain postcodes).

I think a mid wife led brith (assuming you are low risk) is the way to to

 

[Kitten]

Hi.

Had my first 2 sons in Mount Carmel. My 2nd son developed an infection after 6 hours and due to not having proper facilities to ventilate we nearly lost him. We had to wait overnight for a transfer to Holles St and he spent 3 weeks fighting for his life. He had to have blood tranfusions, his lungs collapsed, he got a very bad stomach infection & pneumonia. It was hell. Had we been in Holles St, the Coombe or the Rotunda he would have immediately been transferred to a special care unit and he would never been as close to death as he was. Thank God he pulled through but I still have it on my concious that I was more concerned with my comfort than his safety. My 3rd and 4th sons were born in fully equipped maternity hospitals.
Hope this helps your decision. I don't mean to upset but I'm as good an example as you'll get.

Kitten

 

[kramer2006]

Some people seem to wear Mount Carmel like a Gucci bag draped over their shoulder

Choosing a maternity hospital shouldn't be about impressing the ladies over coffee up in Dundrum Shopping Centre

Always back to the "snob" element... Most people who go to Mount Carmel don't think like this. No-one I know who attended MC went there "to be seen". You seem to be rather focused on the "snob" aspect of private maternity care. Would you say you have a chip on your shoulder about the whole thing? (don't be embarrassed, you're not the only one.)

 

[David_Dublin]

Kitten's post really settles this - I'm sure you'd place more importance on the health of your child than your own comfort.

I'm not in medicine, nor do I have relatives that are doctors, but I do find it objectionable when foreigners deride medical practices or medication used here, or suggest that the medicine is better at home. When in fact they know precious little about what they are talking about - their brother heard that something is used, or their aunt knows of a hospital that is still doing..etc etc.

The fact is that we use some things that are not yet being used in other countries, and we use other things that other countries used to use and no longer do.

You also have to take into account that there tends to be fairly strong medical culture that differ between different countries. for example, in some countries anti-biotics are overly relied on or prescribed, in other countries they'll give you a suppository for pretty much anything.

But you can be certain that whatever medications or proecedures are prescribed, they do the same job, and that they are not discredited or dangerous or anything.

Just because something still being done in one country and is not being done in another country does not mean that one is more safe or more affective or better. It could be that it is cheaper, or owned/developed in that country, or any number of other reasons. People should stick to facts. Ireland's health system is far from perfect, but you can be sure in our litigeous culture, that it is highly unlikely that medicines that are outdated are being prescribed, or that procedures are being used that have been discredited.

 

[kramer2006]

Some people seem to wear Mount Carmel like a Gucci bag draped over their shoulder...others who do a bit of research and speak with the experts ensure that they attend a maternity hospital which has the facilities to deliver the best possible care to both mother and baby regardless of the circumstances.

It's simple really. Ask any doctor whether Mount Carmel or Holles Street is the better option and they'll ALL opt for the latter.

Choosing a maternity hospital shouldn't be about impressing the ladies over coffee up in Dundrum Shopping Centre...it should be about obtaining the best possible care for both mother and baby.

Oh man, this is such your typical blinkered Irish begrudgers' opinion and paying no heed to any of the facts that were put forward in this thread. If Mt Carmel wasn't a private hospital would you still have such a problem with it?

Pat has his mind made up. He hasn't even read any of the arguments in this thread, or listened to anyone's reasons for attending Mount Carmel.

Tell me Pat, have you ever attended an A&E department in Dublin, or another city?

 

[David_Dublin]

Always back to the "snob" element... Most people who go to Mount Carmel don't think like this. No-one I know who attended MC went there "to be seen". You seem to be rather focused on the "snob" aspect of private maternity care. Would you say you have a chip on your shoulder about the whole thing? (don't be embarrassed, you're not the only one.)

But why go to Mount Carmel then? If they cannot care for sick babies as well as the maternity hospitals, why put your own comfort ahead of the potential safety of your newborn? I think you have misplaced the emotion here, it is not snobbery, it is probably more complete bewilderment that people make the decision. The fact that it costs more only intensifies this bewilderment: what (or who) are people thinking of?

 

[kramer2006]

I'm certainly not a begrudger

it was good enough for me after all.

The mantra of the begrudger....

 

[kramer2006]

Then I actually got sense and did some research.

Well don't apply for that PhD course just yet. Your extensive research led you to believe that Mount Carmel doesn't even have a neo-natal unit...

 

[di74]

Interesting thread.
Here's my experience. Had my first child private in the Coombe 2 years ago and going there again shortly for the next one. When I initially went to my GP she requested that I not consider Mount Carmel (which i was doing ) as it doesn't have the special baby care facilities of other hospitals (Holles St, Rotunda, Coombe) and it is not uncommon for babies to have to be transferred. My friend had her twins in Mount Carmel a short while back and one of them had to be transferred to the Rotunda, leaving mother and second child in Mount Carmel.....they do not have the special care facilities of other hospitals (certainly not as many cots). I do know plenty of women that have had wonderful experiences in Mount Carmel, but as anything can happen during childbirth and afterwards I know where I want to be when my baby is born.

 

[fizzelina]

But why go to Mount Carmel then? If they cannot care for sick babies as well as the maternity hospitals, why put your own comfort ahead of the potential safety of your newborn? I think you have misplaced the emotion here, it is not snobbery, it is probably more complete bewilderment that people make the decision. The fact that it costs more only intensifies this bewilderment: what (or who) are people thinking of?

David Dublin is making good posts, particularly when he says Kitten's post should settle this ridiculous debate, surely it is a medical threadand should be closed. It is becoming a tit for tat with Kramer attacking those who make a post ("Don't apply for the PHD just yet".....come on Kramer what sort of comment is that?) Personally I think each to their own on where to give birth but Kramer don't come on to a public forum if you have such a major problem with the views given. Re-read Kitten's post - her baby could not be cared for in MC and was moved to Holles St. For many of us it's not a question of money or public / private it's a question of bewilderment like David rightly points out - why pay for the worry of hoping your baby doesn't get sick as it could need to be moved........even if the % is small lots of us would not take the chance. And we certainly would not pay dearly to take a chance like that.

 

[kramer2006]

It is becoming a tit for tat with Kramer attacking those who make a post ("Don't apply for the PHD just yet".....come on Kramer what sort of comment is that?) Personally I think each to their own on where to give birth but Kramer don't come on to a public forum if you have such a major problem with the views given.

Have you even read my posts??

I've simply given my/our reasons for choosing Mount Carmel.

I've also pointed out when people have contributed information which is plain wrong.

I have no problem with people airing their "views" - this is after all, a discussion forum. I never disputed the fact that MC does not have the full complement of maternity services that are available in the public maternity hospitals. What I object to, and have pointed out over and over again is people printing "tittle-tattle" on this thread. I think people should have FACTS, and not some of the rubbish that has been stated here.

I have also asked the question several times: why do people who are opposed to MC always harp on about "snobbery", as if that's the only reason some people choose private maternity care..?

 

[kramer2006]

But why go to Mount Carmel then? If they cannot care for sick babies as well as the maternity hospitals, why put your own comfort ahead of the potential safety of your newborn? I think you have misplaced the emotion here, it is not snobbery, it is probably more complete bewilderment that people make the decision. The fact that it costs more only intensifies this bewilderment: what (or who) are people thinking of?

I've already given my view on this...

My priority is the baby and the mother. As I and other posters have already pointed out, the chances of anyone's baby being "moved" from MC is miniscule...

I think I'll be bowing out of this thread now, people here are hearing only what they want to hear. Good luck.

 

[David_Dublin]

@Kramer2006@: That's the nature of posting I find, especially on topics as emotive as this! I have just taken the time to read your posts and can totally see your side of things. Not for me, or for everyone, but can appreciate that you want to avoid the public wards which can be very difficult to bear when having just given birth, not to mention to enjoy your new arrival and share moments with those close to you afterwards. For those who cannot afford this, and perhaps would like to be in such peacefulness & luxury, I can imagine some jealousy might fuel posts. Good luck with the little one, it's a great time.

 

[kramer2006]

@Kramer2006@: That's the nature of posting I find, especially on topics as emotive as this! I have just taken the time to read your posts and can totally see your side of things. Not for me, or for everyone, but can appreciate that you want to avoid the public wards which can be very difficult to bear when having just given birth, not to mention to enjoy your new arrival and share moments with those close to you afterwards. For those who cannot afford this, and perhaps would like to be in such peacefulness & luxury, I can imagine some jealousy might fuel posts. Good luck with the little one, it's a great time.

Thank you for those words David. I really do respect anyone's choices on where they want to have their babies, but I find it hard to understand the disapproval and (barely disguised) inverted snobbery that's frequently meted out to those of us who choose to go private.

I'm far from loaded, but people have made a lot of assumptions about my wealth - there have been too many mentions of Gucci handbags and the like... It's plain idiocy...

I also completely understand why most people would want to have the full range of emergency services available at their baby's birth, I really do. I guess I've had very good experiences with MC as all of my siblings children were also born there. I know how reassured and well looked after new mothers are at Mount Carmel, and that's what I want for my wife too.

It certainly is an emotive topic - we couldn't quite believe how emotive it was until we found ourselves having to make that choice. I can cope with anyone choosing public hospital, having studied all the facts. What infuriates me is people printing plain garbage (like the neo-natal unit comment above) which only serves to confuse and scare expectant parents who are terrified enough as it is. It's stupid and plain dangerous. It strikes a chord with me because I remember how terrified we were when we made our decision and remember how much conflicting information we found on t'internet. In the end, we did the sensible thing: we took the advice of our families and close friends, trusted our own judgement, and we never looked back.

 

[Pat Bateman]

...

 

[kramer2006]

Kramer2006, your posts have been aggressive, ignorant and insulting.

It's futile trying to discuss this topic in a rational manner with you.

Pat, I was not being "aggressive" or "insulting". I was simply pointing out that you were fueling myths regarding private maternity care at Mount Carmel. You need to get some facts right before you offer your opinions. If you can't handle someone disagreeing with you, or pointing out when you've posted erroneous information, perhaps a public message board isn't the best place for you.

 

[David_Dublin]

I'm with Kramer on this. I looked back at his posts before my last post to read his views and I dont see any aggressive or insulting content. Aggression has been in posts on this thread, but not from him.

As for ignorance, he's been dealing in facts, which aid rational debate. I'm not sure that the accusation of having contributed ingnorant posts, or an inability of contucting a rational discussion is pointed in the right direction to be honest.

 

[pinkyBear]

Guys, would you mind sticking to the original debate! Please.

Look if someone can afford to have a baby in MC, is that not their choice? The reality is MC is no different than most private hospitals that deal with elective (or scheduled) patients, they dont have full emergency support.

If a mother does decide to have her children in MC, and wear it as a badge, is that your concern???

P..

 

[z107]

Look if someone can afford to have a baby in MC, is that not their choice?

Indeed. If someone wants to buy a new car, for example, that's their choice too.

I'd rather spend my money on private health care, and drive an old banger. Does this make me a snob?

 

[kramer2006]

If a mother does decide to have her children in MC, and wear it as a badge, is that your concern???

My problem is that a lot of people on this thread can't get past the "badge" idea, assuming that everyone who attends MC does so for that reason. That idea is judgemental and idiotic. I don't give a toss who knows where we had our baby, and I never volounteered this information unless asked.

Argument over.

The argument is far from over. Kitten and her baby were extremely unlucky to have to be transferred to Holles Street. People are transferred between hospitals all the time, e.g. cardiac patients can be transferred from Loughlinstown to Vincent's because they have specialised facilities there.

Just because one person's baby had to be transferred doesn't make Holles Street (for example) any more attractive to me. I don't want my wife to have to share a cubicle with a stranger while giving birth to our child. Is that so strange??