JR or Wallingford maternity

[Catzenobia]

Hi everyone, I'm due at the end of April and need to decide whether to give birth at the JR or the maternity place. I'm hoping to have a water birth and feel that I would be happier not at the JR as from what I have read you are more likely to have medical interventions in a hospital than elsewhere and I think I'd feel less stressed outside the hospital and therefore less likely to need lots of pain relief. However, my PIL are really anti me going anywhere other than the JR in case anything goes wrong (they're a doctor and a nurse). Anyone have any experience of either or both who might be able to give me some advice? Thanks.

Hello similarly named person!

I started a thread on the JR last year and the replies (including my eventual experience) are here www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=1365&threadid=317256#6395582

I thought the JR was excellent for the birth but I was fortunate to have a fantastic community midwife who was doing a hospital shift so I guess I got the best of both. Aspects of the postnatal bit weren't great and it does get very busy but I was generally impressed. Have heard good stories about Wallingford too. Personally in the end I felt more relaxed being in a place where some of the best medical help in the country was on hand if I needed it and where I knew that I wouldn't need to be transferred if there was a problem. However, I can also sympathise with your view that you might be more comfortable in a less medicalised environment. The JR did stress that the reason that they have 'bad' statistics on c/s etc is because they get all the high risk cases from miles and miles around so their 'intake' is skewed when compared with other places. I only had G&A but nothing wrong with having pain relief if you need it IMO and difficult to know in advance whether you will.

In the end I'm sure either would be good and only you can decide where you feel happiest. I'd go and have a look round and get a feel for the places - I felt much better after that. The details, as they were last year at least, are on that thread.

Hi, I intended to go for Wallingford but due to meconium in my waters we had to go to the JR. I suppose it was quite a medicalised environment really and in hindsight I'd like something a bit 'nicer' this time around, although as I did end up having both epidural and forceps delivery I guess you can't have it both ways!!!

Food afterwards was indeed terrible and ward ridiculously busy at 7am when I just wanted to sleeeep!

I am aiming for Wallingford this time around as I see it as halfway between home birth and hospital. Plus you are much more likely to get the water pool.

I personally am reassured by the fact that IF something does go wrong you are only 20mins away by ambulance.

It's obviously worth respecting the inlaws opinions but ultimately it's your birth and your choice.

Good luck!

Hi I had my daughter at the JR and I thought they were brilliant, her heart stopped twice and they got her out fast without the need for a c-section (episiotomy and ventouse)which I was gald of as I could get up and walk right away which I think aided the healing process. The after care I recieved was also great. Would def have next baby there without a doubt!!

Wallingford is fantastic. Had DS 1 there 3 years ago and stayed 4 days! .

Had DS 2 in December and this ended up as homebirth as there were no beds free at Wallingford and i really didn't fancy the JR. Home birth isn't that much different really apart from the water pool and it means no horrible car transfer and you can be tucked up in your own bed.

I loved both experiences so just keep your options open.