first pregnancy, giving birth in a hospital I cant visit?? (sheffield) a bit scared :(

[ladylegume]

HeLlo,

Im not sure if this is normal or not (or if im being a total diva?). I asked the midwife today (25 wk visit) when I can look round the maternity hospital (jessops sheffield) and she said they only have virtual tours now (from website, which ive done). Im not sure I want to go to give birth somewhere I've never physically been before? But as its my first not sure id want to be at home either?

Is this normal practice now? (I guess they are too busy with all the actual women giving birth?)if so I guess ill just deal with it? Has anyone here given birth at jessops recently? (Give it to me straight!) Id like an intervention free birth as pos (I guess most people do) but know its in the hands of fate abit what happens!

Sorry, feel abit lost and the midwife is nice but not very forthcoming with information?? I just dont know whats normal practice?

[Bunbaker]

I didn't know you weren't allowed to look round now. It could be a security issue or perhaps an infection control issue, I don't know.

I visited a friend who gave birth at Jessop's just after it opened and it was very nice inside. She had had a section so was in an en suite single room and was very comfortable. The only disadvantage I can see is that the parking in that area is terrible. There are just too many hospitals within a mile or two and nowhere near enough parking. The multistory at the Hallamshire is full by 9am.

[BikeRunSki]

Jessop's is superb. I have never visited, but it is the hospital people round here (Barnsley) get transferred to if things go pear shaped. I have only ever heard glowing reports of Jessop's, particularly so for difficult and premature births.

One of my other nearish by hospitals (Pinderfields, Wakefield) also only do virtual tours. But as of 2 years ago, Barnsley still did real ones.

[MrsCharlieD]

I was born at jessops and i hear it's an excellent hospital. Im giving birth at rotherham general and they do a tour as part of the antenatal classes apparently. I think you would be in good hands there x

[Shellywelly1973]

Its the same where im booked into in London. Its very unsettling. The virtual tour is so badly done that I can't even judge the size of the rooms.

I wish I booked in somewhere else now as I feel like its been one I thing after another with this hospital.

Your not alone & at least you've got some positive feedback from people who know the hospital your planning on using.

Best of luck!

[K8eee]

I know how you're feeling OP. I live in Kent and can't visit and your my hospital either feeling a but worried as the one car park they have gets packed during the day, and it would just be nice to know my way to the labour ward. It's all down to infection control, and because more babies are being born, this would incur more people visiting for tours I might have a trip up our one just so I know of back up parking & my way to the labour ward if I can

[PilchardsonToast]

If it's really important You could always go to one of the other nearby hospitals? Chesterfield is great and they do proper tours, I don't know about Rotherham but your midwife could advise you. Why don't you view the virtual tour first then see how you feel after that? It might be enough to put you at ease.

[BookTart]

I'm the same as K8ee (in fact it sounds like the same hospital!) and I'm feeling a bit unsettled about not knowing what the room will look like (the MLU is in an online film about giving birth there, but there is nothing to show the standard labour ward at all). I'm hoping that in the end my mind will be on other things and I won't be so bothered! I hope you find somewhere you are happy with to give birth.

[VegasIsBest]

My first son was early so I hadn't been on a visit to our local hospital even though they were offered.

To be honest that was the least if my problems! And things like room size don't really matter when you're in pain.

Can you speak to people who've had babies there, about their experience?

[BeattieBow]

yes, I think they've stopped doing tours now in lots of hospitals. I wasn't able to look around UCH last year, but when I had my first child 15 years ago, I had a tour of the Royal Free. (not that it helped - it was terrifying hearing the women in labour!).

[bringonyourwreckingball]

I had dd2 at Jessops, it's a great hospital and if you can go midwife rather than consultant led the rooms where you give birth are huge and very well equipped. I had to have an emergency cs in the end but we were very well looked after.

[grizzabellia]

I had both my dcs at Jessops and am having the next one there too. I had a great experience both times, the staff were all lovely. To be honest, once you get there and are in labour you become completely disorientated as to where in the building you are and it is all a bit trippy (at least I found it) The labour rooms are very nice,clean, dimly lit, they play music as I remember and it seemed quite calm. Good luck!

[MrsReacher85]

I had my DS at jessops last September and they were very good. We started in the midwife unit but ended up with an EMCS. We were very well looked after and I won't hesitate to go back with my next one.

[MrsReacher85]

Forgot to add, once things got going I couldn't have told you where I was, much less cared! As long as someone had drugs, I was happy. (And that's why I couldn't have a home birth!)

[MinesAPintOfTea]

Look at it this way, in early (induced) labour I was staggering around the corridor of delivery in pain, waters leaking.etc. The last thing I wanted was a herd of pregnant gawpers there.

You will see it soon enough, so long as you know where to park and how to find the desk it doesn't matter.

I didn't have a tour due to moving in late pregnancy...

[badasahatter]

I had my dd at the OLD Jessops. It was a hole and closed down completely the day after (I wasn't the last birth there, but wasn't far off). The staff were amazing and the process couldn't have gone any better. I heard, from the many mums who had babies after me that year that the new Jessops is lovely. Many of them have gone on to have second children there some years later and none of them have ever complained. The staff are supposed to be great there...the level of knowledge is high and the care is supposed to be good. I can understand you worrying, but I'm sure you'll be fine and it's the people around you that you'll be worried about...not the building.

[ScampiFriesRuleOK]

I gave birth at Jessops 3years ago and it was great. I too wasn't allowed to look round but find the virtual tour more than adequate. Id hoped for an intervention-free labour but in the end needed inducing (so went down the Consultant-led unit route) and can honestly say I couldn't have cared less about birth plan/room size/surroundings when labour began.
The only important thing to know is that Sheffield Teaching Hospitals have one of the highest number of world specialists in the UK

[ScampiFriesRuleOK]

Sorry, posted a bit too early there! I was going to add that Im pregnant with DC2 at mo, and am definitely having this baby back at Jessops again.

I remember those worries about the finer details of labour when I was expecting DC1 but in the end you'll find that the process of labour is not the important bit, it's the end result that will be key.

Good wishes for your delivery.

[MinesAPintOfTea]

Oh and my defining memories of the room are of rather wonky walls when I overdid the g&a. You won't care, honestly.

[poocatcherchampion]

I think it is really common. I had a tour of the mlu of the hospital I gave birth in, but spent 3 days on the labour ward where I wouldn't have cared if I was on the moon. second time triage to theatre. it was fine and no big deal.

I still dont know how to get to post natal but all my family seem to find me!

I hope it goes well (also how rare for such glowing reports from all about a hospital - this Jessops sounds fab!)

[Strongecoffeeismydrug]

We only get virtual tours here too.
But seriously with my first It all seemed so surreal and I didn't have a clue so if I'd been led into a barn I would have happily given birth there

[aroha77]

Hiya,
I'm also expecting my first baby and will be going to jessops! I'm feeling reassured by everyone's positive experiences there. Also my sister, who's a doctor, told me she'd definitely choose to give birth there so that makes me feel better too!
Might get a taxi instead of drive though cos of the parking (planning ahead...I'm only 16 weeks!) Xx

[HoHoHopelessAtNamingBabies]

I had a tour when pregnant with DD1 (not offered this time but assumed as it was my second). To be honest it was a complete waste of time. They rushed us through and we only saw a corridor in the labour ward (where I ends up giving birth), because every room was in use. We did have a chance to see one of the MLU's birthing suites, but told if the ten of on the door the chance are only one or two would be able to use it due to high demand.

Overall, a virtual tour may actually be better as you can see everything!

Good luck!

[meditrina]

When you are yourself in labour, you might well be less keen on these tours taking place at all, and getting in the way of the care on the ward even if only briefly.

And having a tour doesn't really make any difference - one hospital room is much like another.

[EirikurNoromaour]

What is a tour actually for? If the hospital is poor you'll know it from reports/media. Just to look at the rooms? You won't even notice the rooms when you are in labour! You can't assess the quality of care from a visit.

[ladylegume]

hello lovely mumsnetters,

thank you all so much, yesterday i was sat on the bed in tears and it made such a difference this morninng to read all the messages xxx

i know some people think im silly/ diva, why does she need a tour, its just something i thought happened, and i find the whole everything about pregnancy a bit daunting anyway!!

thank you for all the feedback on jessops, it makes me feel much more confident, thanks again xxx