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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

any experiences of Musgrove Park hospital in Somerset?

18 replies

bluemousemummy · 01/10/2008 12:50

dithering over homebirth for baby #2, only recently moved here so would be interested to hear anyone's experiences. We are 25 miles away from hospital which is what is freaking me out a little! Had to transfer to hospital with baby #1 but we were living in Manchester back then and were only about 5 mins away!

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OrmIrian · 01/10/2008 12:56

I had three babies there bluemouse. I have no complaints. But I was very lucky and had uncomplicated labours with all three. With 2 of my deliveries they were quite overstretched and I was left alone for periods although the MW came quickly when I rang - that suited me quite well as I was happy to get on with it in privacy, but I know that would worry some mothers. The staff were friendly and helpful.

I do know some women that weren't happy with their experiences there though - usually when interventions were required.

I was discharged to Mary Stanley in Bridgwater withon 24 hours anyway. That's lovely IME.

With regard to the distance, I had to go 14 miles but that was straight down the m5. Just beware of the traffic in Taunton at rush hour!

Original poster

bluemousemummy · 01/10/2008 19:55

Thanks for that. Being left alone doesn't particularly worry me as long as they are keeping an eye on me. I remember feeling like I wanted to be on my own in my first labour! Have heard that they have recently opened a birthing centre attached to the hospital anyway so that could be the best compromise.

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OrmIrian · 01/10/2008 20:47

I dodn't know that. The existing mat unit is a bit old and scruffy but perfactly OK, but a new purpose built unit will be better.

When are you due?

lauraloola · 01/10/2008 20:54

A friend of my sisters gave birth in Taunton earlier this year and said it was very nice aswell. And the new birthing unit does sound nice.

I gave birth in Dorchester and it was lovely. Own room from arriving to leaving, fab midwives and very relaxed. I would imagine Taunton to be very similar.

Marne · 01/10/2008 20:57

I heard that the birthing centre opened last week and has delivered 40+ babbies already.

I had both of mine in Dorchester.

OrmIrian · 02/10/2008 08:24

Fraid not laura - no private rooms as far as I know . A couple of long wards and a few cubicles. Maybe the birthing unit is like that.

Original poster

bluemousemummy · 02/10/2008 13:49

due end of Feb so am only 20 weeks now, plenty of time to change my mind several times before then i guess!

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ataraxis · 02/10/2008 14:05

I had DC3 in Musgrove a couple of weeks ago. I wanted a home birth but 16 days late, concerns over heartrate so ended up in hospital). I had no written birth plan but they listened to what I had to say, for example they wanted to monitor me constantly (due to heartrate concerns), but accepted it without issue I said no way (agreeing to manually check every 15 mins instead), they left me alone to get on with the labour - checking regularly enough to feel supported but not suppressed.

I was transferred to the birthing unit after the birth, it is a nice unit (around 6 beds I think) and very relaxed. I was out by 11am the next day (went to labour ward at 8pm, had baby just after midnight).

It was a very positive experience despite being the complete opposite of what I had planned.

The area does have a higher than national average proportion for homebirths, and I felt well supported in that decision too, albeit that it wasn't the way it ended up.

OrmIrian · 02/10/2008 14:09

Yes I've heard that about hbs ataraxis. Shame I was too much of a wuss to try for one!

ataraxis · 02/10/2008 14:09

I guess the other thing (as OrmIrian has mentioned, and you are clearly concerned about) is where you are and what those 25 miles are like in terms of roads/traffic/accessibility.

ataraxis · 02/10/2008 14:13

OrmIrian . When I suggested at Mary Stanley that I might go in there to have the baby so that I could get some rest afterwards, they told me afraid not, if all goes well you are out within 6 hours . I had DC1 at a birthing centre in Sussex and stayed there for 3 days (it was really nice and I was one of only two people there!)

OrmIrian · 02/10/2008 14:18

Really? I was in there for at least 3 days with all of mine. 5 with no 1 as had trouble with bfing. THings must have changed

Original poster

bluemousemummy · 02/10/2008 21:14

Thanks for that ataraxis, how come you didn't give birth in the birthing unit, if you don't mind me asking?

Journey is not too bad from where we are (dh does it every day to work) as is all A road, but it's just so FAR!

OP posts:

ataraxis · 06/10/2008 14:46

Hi Bluemouse - sorry for taking a while to reply. I was in the labour ward because of being 16 days over and they wanted to induce me (thankfully only had to break my waters and then it all kicked off very quickly). I believe that midwife centres/birthing units like this will only do straightforward births (37-42 weeks, no complications etc) and will transfer for anything out of the ordinary.
Good luck with whatever decision you make!

chocbiscuits · 08/10/2008 22:34

Hi,
haven't any experience of the childbirth section, but I wasnt veyr impressed by more than one elderly relative being allowed to fall over in the bathroom/toilet...

ELB1 · 09/10/2008 22:25

I had DD1 there last year - and am probably going there again for DD2 due in November. My experience was pretty good too - although the place is a bit old and tatty (haven't seen the new birthing unit yet though). The best thing was the staff - all very nice and helpful. Very considerate of what I wanted and helped me out whenever I asked for it.
You can go and visit - they do trips around. We did this and it was worth it as it felt a bit more familiar when I arrived in labour.
Not sure which side of Taunton you are - but if you are on the South/East, then you might consider Honiton. It's a midwife led unit, but is known round here as the Honiton Hilton. Very very nice. I didn't go last time as I was under consultant care for a medical condition I have, but as my labour was straightforward and 2nd PG has been good then they say I can go there if I want to this time around. Am seriously considering it - although am torn as Musgrove was good last time - and it feels familiar.

OlliesMumJuly08 · 12/02/2009 13:52

Hello,

Only just came across this post but wanted to say that I had my son in Musgrove in July and needed an EMCS and the staff were fantastic!

They were so supportive when things went a bit 'mad'!!

Rachmumoftwo · 12/02/2009 14:12

I had DD2 there 5 years ago and it was fine, I preferred it there to Chertsey, where I had DD1 a year previously.
Musgrove Park was clean and the staff were friendly and helpful, just what you need after having a baby.

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