Bristol Children's Hospital - long stay after birth

[MorningHasBroken]

Not sure if this is the right place for this post but, in brief, my (first) baby has been diagnosed with a heart condition on the 22 week scan, so I will now be induced at 39 weeks in order to ensure I am in the right place for aftercare (surgery). Baby will need to stay in hospital for anywhere from 3-6 weeks.

We're dealing with the emotional side of things; and we have people to answer the medical questions but it's the practical bits following the birth that are troubling me...

I'm going to be induced in Bristol, at the Children's Hospital, but we live about 90mins away. I have been told that accommodation 'will be made available' for me but nothing about where it will be, what it will be, will it be suitable for DH to stay in too? What about my stepkids (aged 10 and 12, they live with us full-time and mum isn't in the picture)? Grandparents are happy to come and stay in our house to care for them for the period (they'll still be at school) but we want/need them to be able to come to Bristol for the weekends as we are a very close family and don't want them to feel like they are being shunted aside by the newby.

I want to breastfeed - will I be able to do this? Presumably I'd need to be in a room very close to the SCBU to be on hand for night feeds? Does this tie up with rooms suitable for a family of 4?

We wouldn't be able to afford to rent private accommodation for the period so will be very much at the mercy of the Hospital admin and/or charities.

If anyone has any experience of accommodation at BCH I would really appreciate it! Thanks x

A friend of mine had a very similar thing a few years ago in the same hospital. I'll see if I can get the full details from her, but as I recall, the hospital own some houses nearby where a number of families can be accommodated in a sort of self catering/ shared house setup.

Bristol's a very good children's hospital and they have plenty of families in your situation.

Right - my friend has sent me a long, detailed message, so I'll see if I can send it on to you as a private message. On phone - could take a bit of experimenting!

Thanks Silversmith, I've had a look at your friend's message - looks like it might not be the most comfortable few weeks for me on ward then! Think I'll see if anyone I know has friends or family with a spare room in Bristol... can't imagine being 'in public' as it were for that long, plus baby will have 2 or 3 ops so I foresee wanting to have a good cry in private occasionally!