Maternity wards around Swindon/Oxford - JR or GW? Recommendations please!

[HeatherTess]

Ladies,

I've just moved house and therefore need to register with a new hospital and have been told by the Community midwife that because I'm between areas I can choose.

So I need some help deciding whether to go for the Great Western Hospital in Swindon or John Radcliffe in Oxford for my maternity care over the next few months, and obviously for the birth!

Any recommendations, experiences etc would be much appreciated.... need to decide before next Midwife's appointment.

Thanks!

If you're between the two I assume you're in a similar area to me. I had my oldest at the JR, which was lovely as I was in the Spires mlu. From here, it was a bit of a drive though, and there are roadworks in Headington which might cause some delays with getting there. Going for the JR also means you'd be in the right trust for the Wantage midwife led unit, which is where I had my youngest and was really lovely.

Thanks - JR is about 35 mins away but have heard good reviews. Did you have your second at the Wantage Community Hospital? We went to have a look this week and it looked nice!

I had my daughter last year at the Spires MLU at the JR - very positive experience and nothing but praise for the staff there. Most of my NCT friends also gave birth at the JR and I've not heard anything negative from them either. It's a big teaching hospital so has lots of facilities/specialists if needed. The main drawback, especially if you are a way away, is that the traffic and especially parking are a nightmare, and as a PP said there are roadworks nearby which would make that worse.

Yes, at the Wantage Community hospital. I didn't intend to actually, but labour progressed very fast and by the time DH got home from work I was just desperate for gas and air! But it was fabulous, and as it's so small it was really personal care, I ha the midwife I'd seen all through my pregnancy, and someone was sent out for cupcakes afterwards (so much better than the toast everyone raves about )

I had my dd at GWH and they were really good. She arrived 3 weeks early and I had a c-s. No complications and care was great. Although I didn’t use the birthing centre it’s right down the hall from the maternity/delivery suite, so no problems if you need intervention. I know some areas there is a 20 min journey between the two. You can also opt to pay for a private room post labour, which is a fixed rate regardless how long you stay.