bristol Hospitals - St Michael's or Southmead?!

[downthelane]

Hi all, I am 13 weeks pregnant and have been told I have to choose which hospital we want to have our baby at this week. I am feeling very confused as I have friends who say good and bad about both. Any up to date thoughts and comments would be gratefully received about how you made your choice or the experiences you have had. I have slightly raised blood pressure which I am being told means I will probably end up in the consultant led bit rather than the midwife led area, but not for definite if I have a choice!
Many thanks for any help - I am feeling rather bewildered!

I've had 2 babies at southmead. First, 6 years ago the birth was fine but the aftercare was awful as they were so short staffed. Ds was in the special care bit first time round and southmead are very good for that if god forbid anything happens.

Second was in august and was much better. The aftercare had improved alot. I was put on a different ward in 2 bed rooms which were nice and much quieter than the big ward I was on previously. The birth was good as well - hte midwives were lovely and the facilities were decent.

I was on the consultant led unit for both. I would go back to southmead again (not that i'm having any more!)

I only have personal experience of Southmead (last June) but do know someone who went to St Michaels - most go to Southmead where I live as it's easier than going into the centre to get to St Michaels. The ease of getting to the hospital was of most concern to those considering choosing between them rather than the standard of care.

Anyway if it helps I felt very well looked after at Southmead and certainly tested most areas of maternity services as I was transferred from the midwife led birth suite to the delivery suite due to problems then had an emergency section. The midwife led part is lovely and I would really recommend it if you have a choice and don't want an epidural, doesn't feel too "hospital-like" so personally I felt more at ease. Once tranferred to the delivery suite I was very well looked after and despite having some problems hence EMCS I was never panicked as the staff were extremely calm and discreet.

Post natal care was fine, staff helped me when I needed it - since I was stuck on the bed after the CS I needed help with lots of things!

Hope that helps but feel free to ask any specific questions if I've not covered what you were after.

Which is nearer to you?

I had a baby at St.Michaels in August. Had great care - transferred in from a homebirth, forceps eventually. Also can't fault the post-natal care.

What TheArmadillo said - same with both of mine - bit crap 6 years ago, but 3 years ago, Southmead was just fab - wholeheartedly recommended it.

downthelane - not sure if Southmead do the same, but St Michaels have a DVD that gives you a good 'look around' all their facilities. My midwife gave me a copy which bizarrely she told me to keep (how many times did she think I was going to watch it ) so if you can't get your hands on one PM me your address and I'll post it to you.

18mo ago, St Michaels was fantastic for my rather complicated birth, both during and postnatal.

Just wanted to say thank you for this thread, I moved to Bristol last year and am ttc number 2 and have been wondering this myself! Great info

I have had4 at Southmead- improving picture over 13 yrs. Delivery suite are wonderful as are the consultants- I had a very difficult and odd start with no4 and the staff in delivery were amazing. Post natal- I would say variable-better if you are a first timer. WIth no 4 I was left to fend for myself really- not that I minded!!

I had both of my children at St Michaels, they are aged 4 and 2 now. There were a few minor blips with care on the ward but not enough to complain about. I had a lot of complications with first pregnancy and was in delivery suite 6 six times between 28 weeks and due date and they were very thorough. I don't know about Southmead but parking was problematic at St Michaels at the time.

I has ante-natal and post natal care at St Michaels but ended up giving birth at Southmead because the NICU at St Michaels was full.
Parking is much better at Southmead though!

Thank you everyone so much for the time and thought given to answering my question, I so appreciate it and have found your responses really helpful. Thank you!

Gave birth at Southmead 2 weeks ago. Would wholeheartedly recommend them.

I had both of my boys at St Michael's - they are five and two now.

I had good care on the labour unit but had to stay in overnight after having my second baby (pethidine shot about 5 minutes before he was born and he wasn't too bothered about feeding) and had mixed feelings about the care on the ward, although that's mainly because I am vegetarian and there was nothing for me to eat so I was ravenous!

The other bad thing about St Michael's was the rubbish car parking situation. When we rolled up last time, my husband had to drop me off at the door then park a few streets away so be prepared for similar, unless they've got their act together! :)