Giving birth in Birmigham area help needed!!

[LazyLinePainterJane]

I am 12 weeks and having booking in appointment for DC2 this week. When I had DS, I lived in another area and wasn't aware that I could choose a hospital (not entirely sure I could then and in that area).

I need advice about which hospital to go to. I know I can change my mind later on, but I want to choose somewhere decent and feel as if I know nothing about the hospitals in this area. I have asked people I know but feel that Mumsnetters are my better choice for telling it like it is.

My default is George Eliot in Nuneaton, though this isn't the closest to me and I can choose where I want to go. I like the idea of a midwife led unit. Was looking at Birmingham Womens.

Arrrgh help!

No, I don't want a HB.

Just wanted to add a vote for George Eliot to the mix - I too live in Coleshill and had my son there 15 months ago. I'm due again in August and opted for GE immediately.

There were a few complications but thankfully nothing serious during the birth, and I have no experience of other units, but all I can say is that all the midwives and doctors were fantastic, and I feel positive about going back there again. Everyhing was 'done well', including the epiduraql and the episiotomy and subsequent stitching.

My sister is a midwife (she was at Russells Hall/Wordsley for a few years, before moving to London) and she was with me for the birth and also felt GE was a good place.

Also, they only use real nappies in the baby units/maternity ward, which I personally like - it gives people the chance to use real nappies and see how they get on with them. We have used the same brand they gave us at the hospital ever since.

I'm sure for my positive story someone else will have had a bad experience, so I guess you need to look at the practicalities of each option available to you

Hope all goes well