SHIT!!!!! Friend has just told me that our hospital has closed one of the 2 maternity wards they have!!!!!

[DetectivePotato]

Ok I am only 11 weeks pregnant, but we have 1 hospital in a pretty big city. The maternity unit is always mega busy and my friend told me last night that 1 of the 2 maternity wards have been closed. She doesn't know why.

I am seriously panicking now!!!!!!

Temporarily or permanently? Where did she hear it? Seems odd she heard it was shut but not why.

What hospital?

Why are you panicking? What are you worried will happen? (Not being funny, just wondering)

She went to visit a friend who had a baby last week. It has been closed for a few weeks. Its in the South West.

I'm panicking because they are so busy anyway and they didn't even have a cot available last time for DS for a while. I just keep thinking that I'm going to turn up there and they will turn me away. We don't have a midwife led unit or anything like that nearby, plus I will be consultant led so it wouldn't be an option anyway, neither would a home birth.

Is it Derriford by any chance? I've heard the same. It was bloody chaos in October 2007 when I was in with my DD and that was with two wards. Hoping to have a homebirth this time to avoid the place.

I'm sure they won't turn you away as the delivery suites are still open. Can you talk to your MW now about your concerns before you get too stressed?

It is as it happens! It was busy when I was there with DS in 2008. I cannot imagine how they are functioning with one ward I really can't!

I am going to speak to my midwife. Appointment won't be for another 4 weeks though. Hopefully they are planning to reopen in soon!