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Original poster

Giving Birth at Trafford General Hospital

19 replies

sc11 · 25/10/2007 13:37

I wondered if anybody is willing to share their experience of having a baby at the Maternity Unit at Trafford General Hospital in Urmston? I need to decide whether I select this hospital (its local to me) or opt for the much bigger St Mary's in the city centre. I would be grateful if people were willing to give me some feedback on their experience at one or the other. I am concerned about safety, how well looked after you are and can they deal with any problems that may arise. Thanks a lot.

OP posts:

richardl · 26/10/2007 12:24

have you thought about Wythenshawe? I've heard some negative comments from friends about both - one too big and impersonal, the other too small, not great interventions. I'm in Urmston and if I had another, think I'd go for Wythenshawe. It's not very far to go.

Iklboo · 26/10/2007 12:26

I had DS at Hope in Salford. It's a good unit and I felt very supported and looked after there

katierocket · 26/10/2007 12:35

My BF had two children there and it was fine (admittedly this was 4 years ago). Beware of St Marys - they are frequently closing it because they have no room and then women are turned away to either Wythenshawe or even Stepping Hill.

suncream · 26/10/2007 23:28

I worked on the post natal ward at trafford, there was a nice atmosphere there & most women seemed to have had good experiences. St Mary's has a lot of expertise but hopefully you won't need any of that in a straight-forward delivery.

Trafford is generally much friendlier than Wythenshawe or St Mary's, & because they're less busy staff seem to have more time to spend with women & their new babas.

Having said that I had my 2 at Hope & I couldn't recommend it enough.

Good luck

mankyscotslass · 27/10/2007 10:44

Had all 3 of mine at St Mary's....but be warned, it does get very busy, and while the midwives and healthcare assistants are great, most had very little time. I ended up helping 2 women in my ward with BF,(not trained councillor but had BF my first 2) as I was in antenatally and did not need to worry about my baby yet. There was not the time for the staff to help. Last time I was in 1 1/2 weeks antenatally, and 2 1/2 weeks post natal. St Mary's SCBU is fab, the docs are wonderful, as are the nurses. But the delivery unit shut 4 times while I was in there and the SCBU shut twice. It is very popular.

WillyWonka · 19/11/2007 14:30

Have only just seen this post so hope I'm not too late in replying.

I've had all of my dc at TGH and wouldn't think of going anywhere else for the next one (...fingers crossed!). Staff are fantastic and it just feels much more like a cottage hospital than the other alternatives. None of my friends who have delivered at St Mary's chose to go back for their subsequent dc's but I've heard better things about Wythenshawe and have always considered that as my second choice.

Good luck

SamiP · 01/12/2007 21:34

I had my baby at TGH and they were fantastic, would highly recommend it. V professional and caring. It's also v small and friendly. Only 2 beds to a ward and I had the room to myself.

Sufi · 10/01/2008 13:37

this is probably way too late but i had my baby at TGH in november and can't recommend them highly enough. it's small but this means you get really good care and attention. i was induced but despite the IV and monitor was allowed to move round freely, gave birth on the floor (i spent v little time in the bed). this really helped me manage the pain and am sure contributed to the natural delivery and short labour. many other hosps try and confine you to bed when induced cos easier for them - not so at TGH.

they also have a v gd BF counsellor called Tara who is brilliant, plus the children's ward is fab if your LO has any problems.

good luck!

summerbird · 07/10/2008 12:44

Hi guys

Just to say thanks for this thread, i am from the North East and live in Altrincham and so dont know this area v well, but have opted to go for TGH instead of Wythenshawe based on your recommendations. My GP wasnt that helpful so i went with this thread!

I am due on 6 June 2009

Wish me luck xx

Mandy21 · 09/10/2008 17:33

Just wanted to say that I had my twins at St Marys and can't praise it enough - I would go as far as to say my babies wouldn't be here if I'd delivered anywhere else. I wasn't supposed to be delivering at St Marys (live about 20 miles away from St Marys) but it was the only hospital with 2 intensive care incubators for my premature twins. I was so thankful that they took us.

I can't really comment on the normal maternity unit - I was on the maternity ward for about 72 hours and although I don't have any complaints, it was incredibly busy. The only negative that I did have was that visiting didn't seem to be monitored very well, the hygiene wasn't great - in fact one night the lady in the next bed had all her family come in - about 10 people - with a takeaway curry. Not ideal. Its also quite noisy - there didn't seem to be any separation of women who were still pregnant and ladies that had already had their babies so it was bedlam and quite difficult to sleep.

After 72 hours, I had my twins and was moved to a private room and stayed at the hospital for almost 3 weeks whilst my babies were on the Neonatal Unit. The support that I got from the staff (on the ward and from the unit) in terms of expressing / worrying about the babies etc was second to none. If I had any concerns about my pregnancy, I would be booking a slot immediately, they were unbelievable.

summerbird · 09/10/2008 21:09

Mandy it is good to know that we have that level of care, i am sorry to hear of your difficulties but it is good to hear that you ha a positive experience out of it. If anyone asks me for feedback on St Mary's i will certainly pass on your good recommendation.

rhimac · 29/10/2008 21:37

i have had both my babies there and am having my 3rd there in dec/jan. i thought it was lovely.. its much smaller than either wythenshaw or St Mary's and felt more personal, but i guess you can go visit all of the units and decide which would suit you best.. incidently i had epidurals with both and didn't have to hang about for the anaethetist to come.. a bonus for me as i am a wimp.

Cyee · 15/11/2008 14:54

Just adding my support for TGH. I chose this instead of Wyth. It is a small unit and quite busy. I had a complication that was id'ed 6 weeks after the birth, but nothing I think they could have prevented... just one of those things. I found the staff caring but busy as always. My MW was very calm and I had overall a very good experience.

Good luck!

MrsLC · 20/01/2009 16:45

TGH all the way. They are loving and very helpful. I was looked after my time there when dd was born Aug 2007. The wards are small and only 4 beds (some 2) most of the time only a couple of ladies in the room with you. I was in with one other lady, which we are great friends now. Salford, Bolton that night was closed as hey where full so one poor girl had to come all the way from Swinton as no room anywhere else she said she was glad Hope didnt have the room. I cant speak for St Mary's but just before I was due t give birth there was a documentry on tv about maternity wards and St Marys got slated. I was horrified

jojomarie · 30/01/2009 13:57

Hey is there anybody that could give me more information on hope hospital? I am due in june and not sure if i should have baby in hope hospital or st mary's.I have not visited hope hospital as of yet but have heard more bad comments than good about st mary's,so any information would be great. Thanks x

FloriaTosca · 16/02/2009 12:00

You have probably already decided...but fwiw..
I has ds in St Marys 16mths ago in Sept 07 the facilities then were in dreadful state (yes it was just after the dreadful documentary too)but the new maternity wing was more than half built then and is probably open now and the staff were truly second to none (and I had plenty of time to observe..I was in there 4 weeks!!!)
Hope Hospital hasn't to my knowledge, had a major refit for a long time...when my cousin had her prem twins there she couldnt praise the staff enough but that was 9 yrs ago now. My advise is go and have a look, see which you prefer.

suwoo · 16/02/2009 12:25

I had both mine at St Marys and I'm having no3 there in August. I couldn't praise them enough and they were great with me following my near death experiance at DD's birth . I have had a private room each time and would do so again as it can get very noisy with lots of visitors.

I also see another specialist with problems that I have after my two deliveries. I like the fact that all the womens services are available there for any follow up you may need.

I have no personal experience of any closures, but my section was delayed 2 days due to emergencies.

A close friend had her DD at the birthing centre at Hope and couldn't praise it enough. HTH

LozzaD · 12/03/2009 15:25

Summerbird, we could potentially be there at the same time. I'm due on 30th May. Very nervous because this is my first baby but reading about Trafford Hospital on these posts has made me feel a bit calmer about it all!

Queenoftheharpies · 19/03/2009 18:17

I'm having my first baby in St. Mary's in August. Apparently the new maternity unit will be up and running by then so the facilities might be a bit better.

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