Cheltenham maternity hospital

[addictedishavingagirl]

i'm expecting my first baby at the beginning of november and am booked into cheltenham maternity.

i'm thinking about asking about using a birthing pool and wonderd if anyone had any expiearence of cheltenham hospital, if this is possible, do i have to book it and what the birthing pools are like.

my midwife is moving areas and has said to discuss my birth plan with my new midwife who doesnt start untill end of october and i really want to be alittle more prepared!

Hi, I've delivered twice in Cheltenham, second time 3 weeks ago, and have had a positive experience both times - midwives have all been great. AFAIK, there is only one room with a birthing pool at Cheltenham, have not used it myself. You can't book it, but the best thing to do is to tell them you're really keen to use it when you first phone the labour ward, and they may then be able to keep it free for you by the time you go in. No guarantees though.

If you're absolutely set on a water birth, Gloucester has more birthing pools, and I'm pretty sure Stroud does too - plus Stroud is generally quieter (is a MLU though so you run the risk of needing to transfer if things get complicated).

I'd recommend Cheltenham hospital - and the food has got better since my first child!

HTH

I have had 2 DC at Cheltenham hospital and I can highly recommend it. The wards are clean and the staff are great. I don't know about the pool though sorry.

thankyou.

may have to rethink the birthing pool then!

i cant really go to a diffrent hospital as cheltenham is the closest and i'm 45 minutes away. and we have a history of very quick labours in my family, so i may not be delivering in teh hospital at all, rather as we drive up the motorway!