Which hospital is better - Liverpool, Chester or Wirral?

[Mal25]

I've just found out i'm pregnant and I have a choice over which hospital I can pick for my maternity appointments. There's 3 hospitals that are all about a 20 minute drive from where I live - Liverpool Womens, Countess of Chester or Arrowe park hospital.

I have no idea which one to pick at the moment, or what I should be prioritising in terms of the birth, so i'd love to hear any advice or of anyone's experiences of giving birth or c-sections in these three hospitals, it would be greatly appreciated please

My sister delivered at LWH and was really happy with her antenatal care and ELCS. Apparently the postnatal ward was very stressful though.

Personally when I chose a hospital (I didn't have my children in Merseyside) I looked for a hospital which had an adult ICU and a children's NICU on site. I personally would have been a bit twitchy about LWH because they have an HDU but no adult ITU. But that is my perspective, as an old, overweight, high risk mum (and a doctor, so used to seeing danger everywhere!).

Just a little bump for you
I don't have any experience of giving birth at any of these hospitals, but obviously LWH is the specialist maternity hospital which would say to me it must be pretty good.
I had DD at Whiston. Would definitely recommend there but it may be too far for you. The care was much better than where I had DS (but that was none of your choices so no need to worry!)

I had an ELCS at Chester and they were great! I’ve hard arrow parks facilities are new and very nice. I know a few women who’ve had a bad time at the womens, but it might just be anecdotal x

I’ve had both mine at Arrowe Park, DD was 7 weeks early and spent 5 weeks in the neonatal unit and I cannot praise them enough. I suppose it depends on which side of the water you’re on, don’t wanna have to faff around with the tunnel if you’re making a mad dash to the hospital!!!

I had DS at the countess and would only recommend because of their ICU which he ended up in. But you're on a shared ward. I had DD at arrowe park and it was much better! You get your own room and it's much quieter. Can't fault the staff in either though

I had both of mine at Arrowe Park.

I can't say anything about the others but I did have good care with mine. They were both sections and I had my own room afterwards; although I am bearing a bit of a grudge because I didn't get tea and toast after the births

LWH was an option for me, not the other two - we're further into Cheshire. I didn't go with LWH because they are the specialists, and I thought my boring-bog-standard pregnancy might be a bit overlooked.

When I did choose, I took into account how easy the drive was, not just the time, and also how easy it would be to get a cup of tea out of hours.

I had DS at APH.

Had induction planned as he was two weeks over. Labour started spontaneously before that so wasn't needed.

Our care and the midwives were fantastic. I had a very long labour so had changes of shifts partway through, but all of them were lovely. They were very supportive and knew exactly what they were doing, I felt totally comfortable in their care. And I did get a cup of tea and toast afterwards!

I stayed with APH as I'd gone there for my scans, having had a previous MC they were especially considerate and allowed me additional scans when I was worried about the baby. So I was happy to head there for the actual birth. (Also know other women who have been there and all were happy with the maternity care they received.)

I can't say about either of the other hospitals, I do know someone who used LWH and had a dreadful birth, but I think it would have been difficult wherever she'd been, rather than a reflection on the hospital.

Does anybody have any recent experiences in Chester?

A google search has me worried over recent reports.

Thanks