JR maternity led unit - anyone got any info?

[Lillibet77]

We are expecting at the beginning of Nov and originally were going to go to the Wallingford. We've since heard that the JR has a maternity led unit. Has anyone had any experiences there yet - good or bad?
Thanks x

haven't got anything on JR - think its relatively new though??? put a shout out on the main childbirth / pregnancy boards, there's alot more people from oxford area that don't use this board.

friend delivered her first at wallingford in july - had a great water birth and briliant support. they were quick to identify a health issue with baby soon after birth and ensured a quick transfer to the JR occurred. she had nothing but praise for the team.

I didn't even know it had opened! I wanted to go to St George's too, but ended up on the 5th floor at the JR with hypertension. It was fine there though, in terms of labour suite, etc.

Thanks for your messages and advice :-) x

I am SO torn... the JR unit should mean that more people get the opportunity to have a more homely experience as it is so close to the hospital that i am sure that they will be more willing to take more risks than Wallingford, but i am convinced that this new unit is the last nail in the coffin for the Wallingford unit which would be devestating.
i pray that i am wrong, but i feel that this new unit will replace Wallingford.

I gave birth in the JR MLU (called The Spires) 6 weeks ago, it's really nice and I had brilliant care whilst there. There are a couple of rooms with beds and en-suite bathroom, there's a massive room with a bed, en-suite and a lovely birthing pool as well as different types of chairs and a beanbag, there's a 'sensory room' which has a load of different types of lights and disco balls and things (no idea how that's supposed to help but hey-ho!) and the best thing is that it's on Level 7 of the JR, so if you crack and demand an epidural like I did then they just wheel you downstairs and it's done in a flash, no arsing about with getting an ambulance transfer. The MLU can provide Meptid, G&A, Water-birth and massage oils - if you want anything stronger then you have to be wheeled downstairs. Whilst I can't say I had a brilliant time (it fecking hurt!), the care and the surroundings were brilliant, can't recommend it enough.

Oh, and the JR are very hot on breastfeeding as well so they'll help you with that. AND my birth plan was read by every MW that saw me and I was consulted at every stage.

Oh, I do actually have a couple of pictures of some of the rooms in the MLU, if you'd like to see them then just say so and I'll put them on my profile.

Hi, I'm a student midwife at the JR...it's lovely to read of your experiences. We all love and job and do our very best to promote and facilitate the best possible experiences of labour and birth for you all. I too am a mummy...so have great empathy with the importance of this. I can't wait to get up to the Spires for true midwifery led care. Please carry on posting, and I'll keep reading...it's so important to reflect.

Midwife35x