Having baby in Doncaster or Nottingham

[Glimmerberry]

Hello all.

This is my first time posting here, so sorry if there was a better place for this thread...

I'm due in Sept and trying to decide where to give birth. I have quite a wide choice and hoping to hear some thoughts on some of my options.

I live on a remote Scottish island where there is no medical care for labour (midwife only, with emergency flight to the mainland of one hour if anything goes wrong). It's my first pregnancy and due to spinal probs plus previous surgery been told I can't give birth on island. The hospital our unit has a relationship with is in a city I have no ties to; no friends, family etc and I'd basically need to go and live in the hospital waiting for labour for a few weeks. Obviously, that sounds a bit crap. I'm also worried that all that hanging around will tempt staff to persuade me to go for an earlier induction or other intervention rather than just letting things happen.

My husband's parents (amicably divorced) have both offered for me to go and stay with them instead. This sounds good, I like them both and could easily feel "at home" with either of them for the last few weeks. Definitely better than hospital. This would give me the choice, depending on who i stay with, if either Doncaster Royal Infirmary or Nottingham, Queens I think?

Still need to work out if all that travel at the end really is practical, but while weighing it all up I'd be grateful to hear of people's experiences of these places.

Thanks a lot!

I didn't have my children there but am orginally from Doncaster and know lots of old school friends who gave birth at D.R.I. All have had good experiences.

Not terribly helpful I know, but at least it's a bump :)

Hmmmm.

I know plenty of stories from Nottingham Queens and Nottingham City hospitals. But quite a spread of opinion I'm afraid.

Personally, I'd be thinking "where do I want to spend the hours of early/pre labour"? At which parent in law's house would I feel most comfortable to sit for ages on the loo, mooch around the house half dressed leaning on furniture and eating random things from the fridge?

Early/pre labour for first time mums can last many many hours, possibly days, before you will be classed as in "established labour" enough to be admitted to labour ward. I'm not saying this to scare you, far from it, but just to highlight the importance of a "safe base" and comfortable atmosphere to start your labour off and to bring baby safely home to afterwards. Bonding and establishing breastfeeding after the birth is also largely reliant on a relaxed mum in the right environment and company for her.

Best of luck. Hope you find a happy solution.

I gave birth at Notts city and it was so bad I went to Queens for ds2 and it was even worse. I wouldn't go back to either. If I have another I would go to either Kings Mill or maybe Chesterfield Royal (further away but I've heard good things about it) but I live north of Nottingham and if you are south then it might be a bit of a trek.

Chesterfield Royal Hospital (at Calow) is fantastic. I gave birth on the busiest day of the year (18.9.10) when every bed was full but the care i received was excellent in every way even when the staff were stretched. I had an emergency c-section but it was so calm and the after care was second-to-none.

a vote for Doncaster here. Ds was born there nearly a year ago and absolutely no complaints. My midwives were lovely and really supportive. I've not heard any complaints from any other mums. Hope that helps. Good luck!

Are either of them near Worksop as there is a small consultant led unit there which is lovely. Only a 4 bed labour ward and has the feel of a MMU but with Drs/epidurals about if needed.

Thanks a lot everyone, no horror stories about Donnie, which is what i'll probably go for. Worksop sounds nice and do-able too though as I could be staying in Retford.

If you stay in Retford, Worksop would be your nearest and it really is nice.

Hi Glimmerberry.

I have nothing constructive to add but you have me all curious.
We are currently trying to make a baby and we also live on a remote scottish island.
Its the one thing that concerns me most about having another, the fact I will not be allowed to give birth here and will have to be separated from my family for weeks until baby arrives.

Tis the main reason we have decided to take 2 months out of TTC as I can't possibly be away from them during December or January.

Will be stalking you watching your progress with interest
Oh and because I am a nosy bint curious I wondered where you are based

Good luck with what ever you decide x

Hi gizzyboo, where are you based?

(I'm nosy too!)