[dr superfruity]

Hi ladies, title pretty much says it all...

Does anyone know when they are officially reopening? what style of care they have (midwife group practice?), if OBs are onsite 24hrs (for emergencies) and just general thoughts on Mona Vale hospital in general...

thanks for any insights

[Gonewiththewind:...]

I think they reopened after Easter (there is a sign up at the intersection of wakehurst parkway). Last I heard it was midwife only, no ob back up (much like Ryde).

Personally no, I would not go there (but then again I wouldn't go to Manly either). I think there are some great midwives but it is such an old maternity unit with huge rooms (4 women in most). It isn't air conditioned (or wasn't when it closed) & they frequently close the theatres & as a result close the maternity for short periods meaning you could prepare & plan to birth there only to be turned away & need to go to Manly.

I was born there, as was my husband but I chose to have my own child at the SAN.

[dr superfruity]

Thanks mtilly... that doesn't sound too good!

And BUMP... Any other insights?

[fooiesmum]

I have had a girlfriend sick @ Mona Vale for the past week - Maternity is not open yet - I think June one of the ED nurses said (who is pregnant and was very clear with where she would be having her bub - not Mona Vale)

(I know the sign at the Parkway turn off said after easter)

The hospital is still very old - girlfriend was on ward 3, all shared wards (male/female mix) 4 to a room, bathroom down the corridor , no air com, not a lot of anything new..................

I'm in northern beaches local like mtilly had my daughter at the SAN (I'm off there this evening to meet my god daughter who was born there on Monday!)

[vitrioleuse]

Hi,
This might be a bit late, but just in case others are interested (I was!) I thought I'd post that I had my first antenatal appointment at Mona Vale today and it was fantastic. The maternity ward is due to open this month so at the moment antenatal apps are being done in a temporary space and are booked through Manly Hosp. I have to have a c- section this time & my first doc app will be at Manly because MV maternity isn't open yet but all my future visits will be at MV. The maternity ward is undergoing a refurbishment that will include an increase in private rooms & ensuites as well as more general upgrades throughout. That's all the info I can offer. Perhaps direct your questions to Manly if you can't wait until later in the month.
Just to put things in perspective I also want to note that my first child was delivered at North Shore Private by a well known Ob. Both the delivery and post natal care were bad experiences. The post natal care in particular was incredibly disappointing given the supposed standard of the facility. Overall it was a very negative, expensive experience that no amount of pleasant food or surroundings could make up for. When you are in the post-natal haze those things don't really matter. I received more support & care in my first antenatal visit to Mona Vale than I did in my entire stay at NSP. I have much greater faith in my care providers this time and am looking forward to seeing the improved ward. I'll keep you posted!

[Boombox]

Hi vitrioleuse, are you having your elective C/S at Mona Vale then? I imagine that would mean you're having care with an obstetrician, is that as well as the midwives?

I was born at Mona Vale, and have been a midwife in the surrounding hospitals. I'm now out of the area- but still interested in the goings on- it's still very political it seems!

[vitrioleuse]

Hi Phoney - Yes, I'm having my elective c/s at Mona Vale. Unless otherwise required, I will have 2 appointments with an Ob (my next appointment at 20 weeks and another at 36 weeks) and all other visits will be with the midwives. They were going to make my next (ob) appointment at MV but couldn't be certain that the MV ward would be ready in 3 weeks, so they are sending me to Manly to avoid any confusion. They also gave me the option of delaying my Ob appointment until the following visit (i.e. with a midwife appointment in between) in case travelling to Manly was an inconvenience, which it isn't. I'd expect the ward will be up and running within the next month.

I've not followed the MV situation very closely but understand there has been some political tension involved. It all seems to be resolved now though and the admin people at Manly are doing a great job handling two sites - so far service has been polite, efficient and well coordinated. I can't believe how different this experience is to my first (in a good way) despite all the contention.

At this stage, nothing could be worse than my previous experience, so I guess I'm a bit more willing to take a chance on the new ward. So far I've been given nothing to worry about. I'll be interested to see how things unfold over the coming months before my due date in Nov.