Chippenham, RUH or GWH?

[albertgirl]

Hello ladies! I'm in a bit of a dilemma and I was wondering if anyone has any recent experience of these birthing options? I've heard great things about the birthing centre at Chippenham, but I'm a little anxious about the fact that if anything went wrong it would have to be an ambulance transfer to Bath, which I've heard dreadful reports about. They did say that I could opt for the GWH as my back-up, but that's even further, although it would be by motorway... Can anyone give me any advice? I live about 20 mins from Chippenham, 25 from GWH and maybe 35 from Bath. I'm a first-timer, but I am relatively old (I'll be 39 when I drop) although I'm probably the healthiest person I know! Just to complicate matters, my GP is Oxfordshire (I'm military, so it's work-based) so they're trying to make me have my ante-natal appts in Witney, which is 1 hr 20 from home. Of course, no one gives you any advice about how you can make it easy for yourself!

[workingtitle]

Okay, so I gave birth last year at RUH, and of my NCT group one went to Chippenham and one to GWH. Everyone had good experiences. Do you have any specific concerns?

I had planned a home birth but DS turned up early and we ended up at the RUH. I was there for a week and it was fine. Delivery suite was excellent, wonderful staff, and it's just been done up - 4 pools now I think. Post natal was fine, I paid for a private room as wasn't sure now long we'd be staying. We got tons of support with trying to breastfeed. DH stayed overnight every night (sleeping on a mattress the floor) and the kitchen/social area was good. Partners can sleep on the postnatal ward too, sleeping in chairs. They were renovating the bathrooms when I was there so hopefully they're a bit nicer. It is a little tired. Some midwives on postnatal better than others, but overall very good.

My friend who went to chippenham loved it and having also visited frome birthing centre, I would always try for a birthing centre rather than hosp in future. Staff seem happier and less stressed, less medicalised approach, beautiful clean and well equipped rooms, more privacy...

Given where you live might it be best to plan to go to chippenham and have GWH as back up? If you have to stay in at all it's less hassle for your partner?

In terms of hospital transfer times playing a part in your decision, I don't think it makes much difference-- you'd be blue lighted and they take a cautious approach so v unlikely to for the extra time to be absolutely critical (and if it was, you'd opt for RUH at the time I guess).

Have you done a tour of Chippenham yet? They will be able to give you their transfer stats and discuss it with you.

[workingtitle]

Wow, essay. Sorry

[littlesupersparks]

I had my first in the ruh 4 years ago - it was fine. Always heard good things about Chippenham. Is there a birthing centre/mw led unit at GWH? You could cut out the middle man?

[didiimaginethis]

I had my DS at RUH. They were lovely, post-natal ward very busy and bright but great food!

[magicalmrmistofelees]

I gave birth in RUH last November and it was great. Rooms have all just been refurbished, midwives were lovely, huge bath for afterwards and best of all they let me go home 4 hours after giving birth .

[turkeyboots]

I haven't heard a bad thing about GWH since I've been in Swindon. I had great experience there (but was planned section so different). I understand they've massively expanded the midwife led unit recently.

[albertgirl]

Thanks everyone, that's really helpful. The reviews I'd read were all at least 3 years old so it's nice to get some more recent feedback. I think I'll go for Chippenham with GWH as a back-up - but at least now I know that the RUH isnt the awful option I'd heard it was, in the event I end up there! And the birthing centre at the GWH is also an option, but I do like the sound of Chippenham - everyone says how small and friendly it is, and the midwife I spoke to on the phone was lovely.

[TarkaTheOtter]

I've had two babies at the GWH (although both in delivery suite due to inductions). I'd go for the birth centre there to avoid any risk of needing to transfer - it's just along the corridor.
Also the idea of partners staying on the postnatal ward fills me with dread. I paid for a private side room at GWH because I needed to stay overnight and it cost about £120 from memory and was well worth it.

[Superlovely]

I had two of mine at RUH, it was fantastic. If there is space you could go back to Chippenham for a couple of nights.

[Polkadotscarf]

I'm in a similar situation to you, half an hour from chip and an hour from the two hospitals so going with Chippenham first and GWH as the back up. Am 33 weeks and swindon have been great with all care up to now and the Chippenham midwives seem great so happy with our decision. You can go and look round the birthing centre too.
I get the whole 'what if something goes wrong' scenario but I think if things looked in anyway not 'normal' you'd be referred to the hospital fairly quickly!

[albertgirl]

Yes, I think that's the decision I'm coming to. I think the medical profession as a whole (incl midwives) is pretty cautious so if there was any sign of trouble you'd be whisked to hospital whether you want it or not! I like the idea of being able to pay for a private room if you end up staying in as well - I can't imagine there'd be much opportunity for rest on a busy ward.

[Lucy955]

Hello, I'm considering chippenham and Swindon. I am not usually one to be swayed by review sites etc as I know from my working life how often these are inaccurate, but have heard so many terrifying things about bath I have been completely put off. I live on the patch at Hullavington and there are a quite a few ladies here who have had babies in the last few years. In the end I made it very clear to midwife that I was under no circumstances too be taken to bath and it is now clearly written on the front of my notes. This is literally the only thing about this birth I feel strongly about. Hormones seem to be making me even more opinionated than usual. As a result no one has even mentioned it again and, as I have had a few little worries recently I have been into Swindon a few times now. They have been brilliant each time. Very reassuring, calm and competent. Looks like it'll be swindon for me and I gave to say I'm very happy about that. I also refused to decided until I was allowed to look round. I means really the idea that you should pick one without any real information is fairly mad. Xx

[tiredismymiddlename]

Hi there, I have had two at Chippenham and one at RUH as well as one DS taken to GWH when he was very ill at 1 week old. My experience was:
Bath - bit of a delivery conveyor belt, good at delivery but can't wait to get rid of you, very little support once baby is born and (just as a side issue) food was inedible. Didn't seem very hygiene focused either.
Chippenham - Lovely, great at delivery and support. Great for a first baby as they helped establish feeding and looked after the baby and me. Felt very safe and supported.
GWH- just when DS was ill, extremely clean and all staff very hygiene focused. Again felt supported and safe.
If I had to do it all again would definitely choose Chippenham with the option of GWH if needed.
Hope that helps and good luck x

[albertgirl]

Thanks, that confirms my decision - I've gone for Chippenham and emphasised that I do not want to be transferred to Bath if anything goes wrong, but to be taken to the GWH. The midwife didn't seem to find it unusual, but it does seem to make a difference to the notes they compile, as Swindon comes under a different health care authority to Chippenham/Bath. I was always going to cause problems, as my GP is in Oxfordshire, which uses another system again!