South Wales birth options - any experiences to share?

[LaraG13]

Help please! I'm going to be moving to South Wales (porthcawl area) before the birth of my first baby in Autumn. I'm not from the area and have no friends there to ask about the local birth options.

My nearest hospital will be Bridgend Prnce of Wales, but I understand this is just a consultant led unit. My ideal would be to be in a midwife led unit. The nearest to me will be Neath, but the fact that it's quite some distance from a hospital in the event of an emergency makes me nervous. I think Cardiff could also be an option. There may be others I'm unaware of. I'd just really love to hear about any experiences (your own or your friends') of the birth centres and maternity hospitals in the area to help me feel a bit more informed.

Thanks in advance

[user1456676628]

There's a midwife led unit in both prince Charles hospital (Merthyr Tydfil) and Royal glam hospital. I'm planning on delivering at the birthing centre at prince Charles (if allowed as my daughter decided to make an early appearance) as long as things go to plan and the consultant gives me the ok! Here's a link to have a look. www.cwmtafuhb.wales.nhs.uk/maternity. Good luck!

[Rpj16]

I really wanted the Neath one as they have double beds, ensuites, partner can stay with you. Ended up in Singleton which was good as LO needed to be in NICU for 36 hours (just for monitoring - he was fine). My partner knows a couple who went to Neath, and they had to be transferred to Bridgend for NICU, but were then transferred back as a family to recover at Neath. This mother apparently didn't breastfeed and the nurses came in the night to feed the baby for her so they could rest. I'm not suggesting not to BF by the way - just giving you the info I heard!

I would have loved to give birth in the Neath one as I find hospitals scary, and my partner was very uncomfortable sleeping on the chair provided at singleton as they are not allowed in the beds. (They did let him sleep over night though)
Congrats by the way!

[doleritedinosaur]

Do not go to the Heath. Staff are great but don't.

Merthyr I've heard great things about & ive had several friends be really happy at Royal Glamorgan.

[CottonSock]

My dh has worked in those hospitals and really liked llantrisant. Had our DD in Cardiff which has excellent specialist care.