Any experiences of Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor OR Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Boddelwydden/Rhyl?

[HalfMumHalfBiscuit]

Had terrible time at Glan Clwyd in 2006. EC and very poor post natal care.

Due mid Oct with DC2 and got to make my mind up quick.

Anyone had any child-birth and after-care experiences of either of these hospitals?

Don't know either personally, but I have a friend who doesn't have very good things to say about Ysbyty Gwynedd. Would you consider a home birth? She was for that very reason but ended up with Emerg C sec.

Have a friend working at Ysbyty Gwynedd and she is a fab obstetrics registrar - CAT me if you'd like the details. I think it really can depend on the staff on.

Bumper - I tried and failed re home birth last time and ended up in terrible situation at Glan Clwyd.

Notevenamousie - Think you are right about the experience being different depending on whatever staff is on. I think I am vearing towards Ysbyty Gwynedd. Have heard of fab consultanty lady there, she may be same person. My MW has mentioned her if it is the same person.

Thank you for your input ladies.

I have just read your other thread. I was also booked in for a home birth but I had an emergency csection in Ysbyty Gwynedd last year. I had an induction, laboured for 24 hours with little success or pain relief (my choice) and had to have a c-section - which the anesthetist bodged up my epidural so was in hospital for a week with a spinal headache.

Anyway the midwives were FANTASTIC and I would def recommend YG. They were very supportive through my long labour and tried to make it as much like a home birth as possible. When I had to have a cs they told the doctors not to announce the sex of my baby but let me and my husband find out, they also kept the room quiet , and I had skin to skin as soon as the baby was born. The breast feeding support was brilliant. I was encouraged to ring whenever I wanted to feed the baby and they would pick her up and help me feed. They showed me the latch over and over and I never had breast feeding problems which I am sure is because of this support.

However, because my birth was very scary I am still worried (like yourself) about giving birth again. So i intend to go into YG when I get pregnant and speak to a consultant about my concerns and make sure my wishes for this birth are documented (i.e. no induction).

Hope this helps. Post if you need any other questions answered and good luck with the birth.

Lcy - thanks so much for sharing your experience. So good to hear about lovely midwives and support after the birth at YG.

I have left a message for my midwife that I want to go to YG and am looking forward to meeting the fab lady consultant. Apparently she had a VBAC too so is v understanding.

I heard that once you have had a CS they don't do inductions because it causes stronger contractions that are more likely to rupture the scar - so you should be OK!

just one other lovely thing about the midwifes at YG - they showed me how i could co-sleep safely with dd right next to me so I wouldnt have to keep lifting her out of the cot to bfeed. I have lovely memories of falling asleep with her tucked right in next to me.

Food is dreadful though - take lots of rations!

Good news about no inductions after cs. Are you trying for a vbac?

Thanks for the info on the food!

Yup trying for VBAC. I think having the EC ultimately lead to me having really bad PND so trying to avoid at all costs - although have to be realistic.

From what I have heard it seems that you don't really know whats going to happen until you are in labour. You can plan stuff but if the baby has different ideas all the plans go out of the window.

I'm so relieved to here positive noises about Ysbyty Gwynedd. We live between the 2 hospitals but have read loads about the chronic shortage of midwives at Glan Clwyd so I reckon Gwynedd it has to be but I was worried about it only having a consultant lead department.

Lcy from your comments I feel a lot more more at ease.

Peas - we are about halfway between the two as well.
Good to meet some local mumsnetters!

I'd heard that the midwife lead unit at Glan Clwyd is just a couple of rooms tagged on to the Consultant lead unit ? I haven't been to see so I don't know for sure but I don't think there is much difference between the two. Maybe someone can clarify?...

Makes me laugh that the main negative for Gwynedd is the bad food .

I used to live between the two too. Moved away now though.

I believe that Gwynedd can be unpopular with some due to the Welsh language being used predominantly. I don't think I will factor that in to my considerations!

I don't speak Welsh and did not find it an issue in YG. May be worth having a visit to look at the delivery rooms. They are made to look as much like a bedroom as possible - bed in middle, equipment is hidden away in wardrobes, lamps and cd player. There are birthing balls and mats. Not ensuite but bathroom just across the hall. They have one birthing pool and it is first come first served.

If you give birth in YG you will understand what i mean about the food - not what you need when you are breastfeeding and starving!

Although I had a long labour and went through three shifts of midwives, I did have a midwife from each shift with me at all times. I also had a doula and the midwives were very supportive of her role.