Pregnancy in Bristol St Michaels or Southmead or private obstetrician?

[mountaingirl123]

Hi, has anyone in the bristol area found that Southmead or St Michaels is better option to give birth at? I'm due in September. Also has anyone had a private obstetrician in the Bristol area to see the end of the pregnancy and birth through? Many thanks!

I've only had experience of At Michael's, but they have been really excellent, complications in both births but I felt they dealt with things really well and I received excellent care. Have never felt well supported by community midwife service (I think they are very stretched and it shows) but inpatient midwives and consultant team very good. I've no experience of private obstetric care either sorry.

@Bloatstoat Thanks for your message that is good to hear you had a good experience particularly when there are complications. I'm probably trying to switch to st michaels as its so close to home but I don't have experience of either so wanted to see how others had got on. The midwife team does seem good but stretched so far with no margin to change any scan dates etc so hoping that doesn't play out when actually giving birth! As far as I have heard I haven't come across any private obstetricians in Bristol. Thanks

The traffic in Bristol can be a nightmare in rush hour. Think about how long it will get to each at the peak of rush hour before making a final decision, you don't want to be fretting about not being able to get to the hospital in time when in labour

@tired17 yes totally that is a really good point! 🙏

I misread the thread title.

As in "In which hospital should I get knocked up?".

I had both of mine at St Michael's and although it is not as new and nice looking from the outside it was great and had great experiences both times, first pregnancy was consultant led and the experience was great. There is actually a bigger birthing suite with more pools at at Michael's I believe, not sure if that's still the case.
I chose it just because I'm much closer to it, parking both times I went into labour was fine although generally it's not the most ideal for parking! There is actually an underground car park right next to the labour and delivery bit though, just a bit hidden from the main road.

Also, prior to having both children I wanted a private ob and just wanted the whole birthing and pregnancy to be private but found out in Bristol it's not an option. You can pay for a private room after the birth, but you could end up with one anyway, many people I know did. I never ended up going private but honestly both experiences were wonderful

I have had one baby on each! Both excellent, no complaints at all.
Hope it all goes well!

This may be a silly question but how does it work? Does someone phone the obstetrician when you go into labour and she then drives to the hospital?

(I’ve never given birth in hospital or seen anyone besides a midwife).

@weegiepower Great ok good to hear!

@weegiepower did you choose if consultant or midwife led or does it just depend on the case in hand?

@MrsSchrute sounds good, are they both equally clinical or is one a little more holistic than the other?

@MyOctopusFeature err yes probably wasn't looking for that info although I think that would be conception?!

@Hen2018

This may be a silly question but how does it work? Does someone phone the obstetrician when you go into labour and she then drives to the hospital?

(I’ve never given birth in hospital or seen anyone besides a midwife).

For private? Yes. I went in after waters breaking. The midwife I spoke to had already called my obstetrician when I was en route. As contractions hadn’t started the midwife assessed me quickly before calling the obstetrician to say come to hospital.

What if they’ve just done a long shift and gone to bed? Do you line up a spare?

What if it’s straightforward so they’ve nothing to do??

@mountaingirl123 I didn't choose, the first pregnancy was consultant led because the pregnancy required it, and the second was midwife led 😊

@weegiepower that makes sense, glad to hear it all worked out well for you x

Hi, new to the area and looking for 1. a private fertility clinic 2. a private obstetrician in Bristol.
Welcome all suggestions
Thank you : )
x