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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Stepping Hill?

21 replies

MrsMarmite1234 · 31/01/2017 15:59

Does anyone have any experience of the maternity services at Stepping Hill? Or the nearby St Marys's or Tameside?

OP posts:
savagehk · 31/01/2017 19:13

I gave birth at st Mary's. I know some who have gone to wythenshawe too, is that too far?

Original poster
MrsMarmite1234 · 31/01/2017 19:18

Not too far. Just wondered if there were any recommendations. I just keep hearing absolute horror stories about Tameside (I'm sure there are good ones too) but in particular that they are reluctant to do a CS when the likes of St Mary's etc would recommend one Confused

OP posts:
rosel27 · 31/01/2017 19:27

I am with stepping hill but this is my first pregnancy so can't really comment on the birth experience. My midwife is really lovely though.

If you haven't already, have a look on www.which.co.uk/birth-choice. It really helped me decide between Macclesfield and Stepping Hill as you can look at birth stats and facilities etc.

Original poster
MrsMarmite1234 · 31/01/2017 19:30

Thanks both. Were you both in the catchment areas for those hospitals or were able to opt for them? Smile

OP posts:
savagehk · 31/01/2017 19:47

I was given choice of St Marys or Wythenshawe when i booked in with my GP. This time i self referred direct to St Marys. It makes sense to try have your antenatal care by the same midwives as the hospital if you can imo (discovered halfway through last time that i was seeingt wythenshawe community midwives!)

savagehk · 31/01/2017 19:48

I've anecdotally heard the same about cs at st marys btw.

savagehk · 31/01/2017 19:48

I've anecdotally heard the same about cs at st marys btw.

Nobrain · 31/01/2017 19:58

I had DD at Stepping Hill. She was in nicu and I was on Mat2. Couldn't fault a thing. Midwives were lovely and the Nicu staff amazing.

Nobrain · 31/01/2017 19:59

Oh and I had a CS.

Catherinebee85 · 31/01/2017 19:59

My SIL chose stepping hill and is a midwife herself if that helps. She's also chosen to go back there for her second xx

Original poster
MrsMarmite1234 · 31/01/2017 20:19

Thanks ladies, all very helpful Flowers

OP posts:
rosel27 · 31/01/2017 20:42

I am in the catchment area but my midwife told me she has ladies coming from Bolton, Ramsbottom and Preston! I think they're quite open. I know some other hospitals that won't have you unless you're in the catchment are.

MissJSays · 31/01/2017 22:04

Wythenshawe has always been fine in my experience, not sure on stepping hill though

SmellySphinx · 01/02/2017 02:45

I had both of mine at SH and I'm having this one there too.

MouseLove · 01/02/2017 08:53

Tameside maternity unit is one of the best in the area. The rest of the hospital is pants. Get online to the NHS website and look at the ratings. I'm 9 weeks but looks like I'm losing my baby. I chose Tameside over the others.

Jenbob13 · 02/02/2017 10:06

Mines due any time now and im booked in for Stepping Hill. I was born at SH, my sister was born at SH, my beautiful niece arrived at SH 3 months ago. My only issue with the place is they don't have the facility to donate your cord (St Marys do) and I had my heart set on it.

Original poster
MrsMarmite1234 · 02/02/2017 21:59

So SH will take you if you're technically outside the catchment area? mouselove so sorry to hear that Flowers your way. jenbob please let me know how you get on, good luck! X

OP posts:
MerlinsBeard87 · 05/02/2017 19:29

I had a bad experience at stepping hill, but I'm sure people have good and bad at every hospital. To be fair the birth centre was great but it all went downhill when I was moved to the labour ward. I ended up with emcs and still feel traumatised by my birth and poor care before and after on the ward. I had a debrief a year later and the midwife was great but I got a letter to say they considered the choices they made to be reasonable. I've just found out I'm expecting dc2 now and will not go back to stepping hill, but I don't know whether to choose wythenshawe or Macclesfield next time. I don't know if I will have more luck next time, but I feel able to demand they listen to my choices

MumOnTheNurseryHunt · 07/02/2017 21:00

I had my first baby at st Mary's as I lived closer to there at the time, but second baby will be at stepping hill. Friends who have had babies at SH really rate the staff there. Problem with St Mary's is that it gets really busy - I've heard of people planning to give birth there but then having to go to other hospitals when they're in labour due to not enough beds. Definitely consider your commute and travel plans too - depending where you live (are you closer to SH anyway?) then you might end up stuck in traffic in rush hour going to St Mary's (that was enough to put me off going there this time).

SellMySoulForSomeSleep · 07/02/2017 22:39

Pretty much everyone I know gives birth at stepping hill. I've not heard a bad story from anyone.
They also saved someone I knows life who had pre-eclampsia and some other birth related blood problem that I can't remember the name of

I had a shit time, but I would have had a shit time at any hospital I think.
The only thing I could say is the staff seemed extremely stretched due to the hours I waited for pain relief, consultants etc.

Every hospital has faults. Personally I'd just choose the closest.
Good luck. Flowers

SellMySoulForSomeSleep · 07/02/2017 22:41

Also I'm in Derbyshire. SH still take me.

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