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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Any feedback on Chester, Wythenshawe or Warrington hospitals please?

43 replies

RainyWednesday · 25/04/2008 16:11

Hello all

I'm currently 19+4 and will be moving 200 miles north (probably Cheshire-ish) in July - so I currently have absolutely no idea where I will be giving birth. Any advice or feedback on any of the above (or nearby alternatives) would be very welcome.

Chester will probably be the furthest away, but I have a soft spot for it, having been born there myself - don't remember much about it though

I know nothing about Wythenshawe and all I know about Warrington is that my parents thing it is horrible (I think coloured by my brother spending far too much time there, for a fractured spine and shredded spleen on two separate occasions). My cousin gave birth there and said it was okay but they are not big on BF.

Ideally I'd like to spend some time in a birthing pool (though not necessarily give birth in it), I like the idea of midwife centres and I would like some BF support. Really though I just want me and LO to make it through okay.

Thanks in advance

RW x

OP posts:

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pinkyminky · 26/04/2008 22:40

I'm talking of st mary's manchester, BTW

amazonianwoman · 26/04/2008 22:43

Had both mine in Wythenshawe - not vaginal births (1 crash section, 1 emerg section) but fab both times, really couldn't fault anything (apart from the usual crappy NHS food, cups of tea were great and plentiful) They did their best to encourage VBAC, it just wasn't meant to be.

Delivery suite midwives were lovely, anaesthesia team were hilarious nutters, ward midwives were great and very pro-BF, esp a regular called Angela (aka the Angel of the Night, by me at least) who worked nights and was soooo patient with my very windy fractious screaming babies.

Haven't heard many positive reports about St Mary's. Stepping Hill's newish birth centre is meant to be good, but I didn't rate the community midwives attached to Stepping Hill (I saw them throughout 2nd pregnancy as GP surgery is linked to Stockport/Stepping Hill - all very blase/indifferent imo) The Wythenshawe community midwifery team are brilliant, pro active birthing etc.

amazonianwoman · 26/04/2008 22:45

St Mary's was still grim when my friend was there 4yrs ago!

amazonianwoman · 26/04/2008 22:50

Just thinking, I'm not sure if there's a birthing pool in Wythenshawe yet? There is one at Stepping Hill.

Still, I'd definitely still chose Wyth over Stepp Hill, the consultants seem to be more highly rated (although hopefully everything will go swimmingly for you and you won't need to see one )

pinkyminky · 27/04/2008 00:14

Yep, still grim, DS is just under three.
No mention of a pool on wythenshawe website.

Original poster

RainyWednesday · 27/04/2008 02:13

Thank you all for this - it's fab (and I couldn't even find a website for Wythenshawe!).

I'm not sure how much choice I get (do they have catchment areas?) but my dad is a retired GP so could ask him I suppose.

OP posts:

lilolilmanchester · 27/04/2008 02:59

had both mine at Trafford General and very happy with it both times. But a long time ago now so perhaps not relevant to you

pinkyminky · 27/04/2008 09:16

I don't know about catchment areas. I was offered pretty much anywhere that was open when my first choice was full, so it could possibly be that you can choose. I think you probably don't want to be too far away from home.

amazonianwoman · 27/04/2008 12:19

One of my friends was about 13 miles from Wythenshawe but got in there no problem - she was much closer to Warrington.

Carolbrad · 27/04/2008 15:46

Wythenshawe don't have a pool, just asked my midwife this week.

pinkyminky · 27/04/2008 21:41

Can we take our own paddling pool? I really fancied a water birth. Not brave enough for a home VBA2C!

katwith3kittens · 27/04/2008 21:46

Hey Paddington when were you in Macc ?

I thought Macclesfield was great, and the food was fab.

I've heard good things about Chester too.

paddingtonbear1 · 27/04/2008 23:11

kat, it was July 2003. I went into labour on the hottest day of the year! The hospital was soo busy but they dealt with it pretty well. I had a fab trainee midwife with me for a lot of the time too. I've heard mixed views of Stepping Hill, but a few of my friends gave birth there and said it was ok.

Elasticwoman · 28/04/2008 22:07

Wythenshawe is b. awful for parking.

amazonianwoman · 28/04/2008 23:17

V true, but then most hospitals are - Stepping Hill is too.

AuntyAnnie · 29/04/2008 16:38

Don't know anything about Wythenshawe but friend just had hers at Warrington and thought it was fine (although ended up with forceps).

I'm originally from Chester, and both my sisters and a number of friends have had their babies at the Countess. One sister and friend have had positive experiences (my sister's first was a water birth, the second too speedy a delivery for it to be considered). My other sister had a rather different experience of the Countess, but she had that baby eight years ago and I'm sure things have changed since then. I've also had friends who have had their children at Arrowe Park and rate it highly.

Good luck!

pinkyminky · 29/04/2008 18:00

IKWYM about the parking at Wythenshawe. Spent a lot of time there as had HG, but it is doable. I think lots of hosp. have the same problem.

Rynny · 02/05/2008 23:30

The Countess was great, I had DS1 there but am hoping for a homebirth this time. Staff were all very nice - only complaint was food wasn't great but I think most hospitals are like that aren't they?

I was born at Warrington (as were both my brothers) but have no idea what it's like now.

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