Has anyone given birth in St Michael's Hospital, Bristol?

[crokky]

Hello,
Please could anyone share any experiences of St Michael's hospital in Bristol? I am interested in antenatal, delivery, postnatal and also the baby unit as I am likely to be induced 3 or 4 weeks before my due date and had complications last time (in a different area) TIA.

OK, I've not given birth there, but I've used their antenatal (last week, in fact) and their early pregnancy unit three times (once for an ERCP). The leading obs (a woman) is respected by obs in other hospitals, and she's very pleasant. Friends who have given birth there have been very positive - the wards are quite pleasant, I had a private room for my mc, and a friend had one for her CS. The delivery rooms are fine sizewise. The only thing is that it's a referral centre so it can get very busy with emergencies. The other issue is that certainly a few years ago they were the local place for mothers with addictions, so there is pressure on high-maintenance deliveries/postnatal. The downside is access: VERY poor parking locally (you're in the middle of the university precinct and the BRI), getting into the building can be a bit fraught. I'll confess I've found Southmead better in terms of access (also they have a natural birthing suite and I don't know if St M's have introduced one). Hope this helps.

Yes, my ds was born there in November 2004.

They are very, very good, (although I've heard that on your second baby, they're much more hands-off).

They wouldn't admit me until I was quite well-dilated .. but obviously your pregnancy is different due to previous complications, etc.

It's a well-respected, teaching hospital and I'm sure that you will receive the very best of care

all mine were born there.
ds was there when they'd just refurbished and with him being no 1 i had an excellent time, loads of people to help and a clean, well resourced room with a tv
dd1 was just 3 doors along the corridor, still a tv, still clean and still good care, i had a lovely student midwife so got the senior sister thrown in
dd2 i had to demand access to the hospital , we live 12 miles away and didn't really fancy giving bierth on the way, they kept telling me to wait (at least this won't happen to you) when i got there they did admit me, i was contracting about 30 secs apart - but i was left in a room alone with dh at least till i needed to push. i rang the buzzer and got a porter who went and found me my midwife ( who was attending 2 other ladies at the time) She came in and i gave birth within 3 mins of her arrival. she had to pop out to find a heart monitor in between as ther was not one in the room. afterwards the lights, only one of which had been working originally gave out completely and i sat in the semi darkness with the emergency light by the door.
the midwives were all excellent couldn't fault the staff but TBH felt that i'd been given a room to birth in rather than had much help.
i'm sure i was classed a low risk so wasn't considered i needed help and you'll be fine, it was just such a come down after my excellent treatment previously. can't comment much on post natal as only stayed overnight but had to wait ages to be released, and when i was they didn't check my bands, dh even joked we'd taken a different baby
sorry this isn't very positive but i'm sure you'll be fine crokky, i get the feeling its a very busy hospital and they prioritise, i wasn't, and shouldn't have been, a priority, i'm sure you will be. all the best

Yes - was induced there with dd2 in 2005.

First shift of midwives apalling, second shift fantastic.

Had private room, but facilities basic compared to Southmead (where you have your own phones and TVs even on ward).

Delivery suites at St Mic's excellent - really clean, modern, fab.

Can only rate on delivery aspect though - because I was there for second birth I was booted out pretty soon afterwards!

Thanks for your responses, they have been really helpful. I think I may investigate Southmead as well as it is a manageable distance, especially if you can actually park there and all those who have mentioned it here have been positive. My brother was born in Southmead, but it was a very long time ago and I expect things have changed!!

Given the choice, I would go to Southmead... esp as the parking's better! We moved south of Bristol after dd1's birth at S'mead so St Mic's was more practical for dd2.

Although the hospital is older and more tired looking, I really couldn't fault Southmead.

Good luck with your decision, hope all goes well! x

No experience and totally pointless post but my lovely friend is a MW in Bristol - think it's Southmead but not 100% sure

Southmead is where I had my DD. I've not heard any bad reports about birthing there. The wards when I was in there (2002) were on the big side (I think postnatally I was in a room of 6, including an elective CS lady), but there are good private rooms for women with CS, baby in SCBU, etc.

I had an awful birth there 2.5 years ago. I was left alone on a ward for most of my labour with no pain relief and virtually no care. The ward I was on and the delivery suite were filthy. My baby ended up in a incubator for 10 days due to the delivery. I was left with an unstitched episiotomy and an unstitched internal tear which took 1.5 years to heal. My medical records got mixed up with someone elses. I had a security incident involving my baby and they lost my friends baby. I was v traumatised by what happened to me. Maybe things have improved since then.

There were other horror stories from people in my antenatal groups and from friends.

I would also agreed with the comments about car parking. There was nowhere to park when we arrived at the hospital, so my husband had to park illegally then went back out to wait in the car for a space.

If I had the choice I would pick Southmead or RUH (where I have just had my 2nd baby), depending on where you live.

Thanks for your posts - it is clear that I need to go to Southmead