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Original poster

The Spires or Chipping Norton

17 replies

tanmu82 · 11/05/2010 19:33

I have heard great things about both from my midwife, but would like to hear from other mums who have been to one or the other or both....
This is my 3rd child, though I had the other two at a MLU in a hospital in another part of the country....

any experience/advice would be gratefully appreciated!

OP posts:

whomovedmychocolate · 11/05/2010 19:36

Chippy is online midwife lead. If you have uncomplicated pregnancies and labours it's great. You will probably be the only woman birthing there and they insist you have naps etc - kicking out all visitors to ensure this.

Don't know the spires! Do you mean the JR?

azazello · 11/05/2010 19:49

Spires is lovely. Also MW led and very distinct from main delivery suite. Glossier and facilities are lovelier than Chippy.

I was registered at both as Spires was a bit erratic about opening times. Both were open so I went to the Spires, mainly because if there are any complications at the Spires you are dealt with at the JR rather than the Horton in Banbury which I was very unwilling to go to for personal reasons.

MWs were wonderful at the Spires and very good on bf support afterwards, although Chippy also lovely. Spires has private rooms with bathrooms afterwards, I don't think Chippy does. However, a friend who is a MW at the JR went to Chippy...

comixminx · 11/05/2010 19:53

Ooh, glad to hear a bit of feedback about the Spires. Haven't made my plans yet (24 weeks pg) but the Spires is a definite possibility. (Am also considering a home birth - am only a short distance from the JR so it should be ok to transfer if necessary I'd think...)

whomovedmychocolate · 11/05/2010 19:54

Actually Chippy transfers to the JR if you prefer! You just have to tell them. Unless it's an extreme emergency they will go to either.

Chippy does not private rooms for after, a six (?) bed ward. Only one water birthing room.

Original poster

tanmu82 · 11/05/2010 20:06

oooh, this is making it harder! I did see some pics of the Spires and it does look much nicer than Chippy, but a friend of mine had her first labour at Chippy (though was transferred to JR) and is determined to have her next one (due just after mine) there again....

are they more likely to encourage you to leave quickly at Spires? THough it is a 6 bed ward at Chippy, if so few women use the cailities, is it likely you'll be alone anyway?

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Trafficcone · 11/05/2010 20:12

Oh Chippy without a doubt!!! Especially with the parking charges at the JR. I loved my 'holidays' to Chippy each time and I'm just a little sad that I now live too far away now to go there as I have such quick labours I'd not make it in time.

azazello · 11/05/2010 20:57

I left the Spires the morning after DS was born (8pm in the evening) but I wanted to get home and see DD. Also the MWs at Chippy said you couldn't stay anymore, they weren't allowed to keep people in unless there was a medical need for it - they now struggle to keep people in overnight apparently although they do so.

I was also told they now only transfer to the Horton - Wallingford and wantage transfer to JR but would only check it out if it matters to you.

DS was born in October btw - seven months this week.

wearymum200 · 13/05/2010 22:31

I had no 2 in Spires (she's 17mths now)
Nice facilities but midwives thin on the ground; they didn't manage to book me in before I was ready to push. Discharged at just over 4 hrs post delivery and they were changing the bed as I got off it to get the next lady in....

Original poster

tanmu82 · 14/05/2010 17:06

so it seems it's a toss up between nicer facilities (which I like the idea of...) and better after care (which is ultimately more important...)

Ok, so Chippy is slightly in the lead.....

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beanie123 · 14/05/2010 22:33

I was boooked into Spires for DS last year (second baby) - but on arrival at 8cm dilated the sole midwife on duty wouldn't admit me and I had to be transferred downstairs to the main JR delivery unit! This was because when she checked my notes she felt there was a very small risk of complications, and as she was by herself also dealing with another woman in labour she didn't feel able to manage. This is despite my having had a number of antenatal checks at the Spires and there not having been any problems raised beforehand - needless to say I wasn't very happy about the whole thing. So while I think the Spires has lovely facilities, they simply don't have enough midwives to cope - and so you risk being turned away at the crucial moment!

Lotkinsgonecurly · 14/05/2010 22:41

I had all MW care in Chippy, they are so friendly, not heard a bad word about it. Had CS in JR and then went back to Chippy for rest for 24 hours (when you could) and they were wonderful.

Friends have given birth there more recently and they said is still fab.

notjustapuppymum · 16/05/2010 18:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

LemuelLo · 08/06/2010 16:24

Had my 2nd at The Spires April 2009. Delivery rooms were great, I had choice of two as I arrived early evening. Midwife was not present for much of the labour (it was a busy full moon )but responded quickly when needed and was calm, and efficient.
I think Midwife Led wards within hospitals are a fantastic idea (I had a 40 mile transfer with my first)and The Spires has a lovely clean, tranquil feel - really enjoyed the experience.

Original poster

tanmu82 · 30/06/2010 16:47

I'm thinking I may just go with Chippy after all - like another poster, I've not heard a bad word about it - and it is likely to be less busy than the JR......will check out where they transfer too as I think I read somewhere that they only go to Horton too....

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Bechingalw · 30/08/2010 18:15

Bit late here I know but if it's any use to anyone, the Spires and the delivery suite are both struggling with staffing according to my midwife. Chippy, although less shiny is well staffed, quiet and I've never heard anyone complain about being in the six bed ward as it never ever seems to be full. When I looked round there they had a spare portable pool that they could put up if someone was using the pool room. They also told me that if you request it you can stay as long as you like - you just need to say you aren't feeling confident about something or other and they can keep you in.
I know people who've been transferred to the JR from there, as well as the Horton.
Really wish I could go there with my second!!!

Affra · 02/09/2010 14:59

Chippy Chippy Chippy (or why not at home with a Chippy MW?!?)
I've been involved with the various units and as I am currently due number three, have to say that Chippy is the only place to go for a 'normal' birth. Spires is nice, but understaffed so you won't get TLC.
Chippy midwives supported me through home birth attempt with number 1, but suggested after 22hrs with little progress to transfer me to the Horton (transfer location is YOUR choice, but they may suggest the least busy hospital). If they are in any doubt, they will suggest transfer rather than take a risk! I hated it at the hospital as it was impersonal and the staff were very pushy about managing my birth so we left ASAP.
Second delivery was much shorter and at home. Chippy MWs attended and were WONDERFUL. They know that healthy women with normal pregnancies are capable of delivering babies without consultant care and intervention. The ward will not be full, and you should have the pool as well. Other mums I know LOVED sharing the ward with other new mums as it offered 'mum' bonding time.
Third baby on it's way very soon and I will have Chippy ladies by my side once more. They are very caring and, as they are not nearly as busy as the JR/Spires, you will be looked after with love (rather than as a number!)
Also, Chippy is following the 2 hour post delivery discharge rule as instructed by the Trust (I do believe they hate it!) However, if for example you tell them you are concerned with your breast feeding and would like to stay on for a bit, they will be only too happy to allow you to stay on. But you must ASK for them to be allowed to do so! They are a UNICEF Baby Friendly Unit of Excellence and you won't find this level care at the JR or Horton. So, don't expect them to throw formula at you!
Finally, if you deliver at home the mw will come to you with all the things (pain relief too) that you would get at the unit. When things really 'kick off' a second mw will come as back-up. Beautiful thing about it is that YOU have the undivided attention and they won't leave until the job is done and you are settled!

Original poster

tanmu82 · 17/09/2010 12:19

Thanks for that Affra, I was just checking in to see if there had been any more recent experiences, as I did actually decide for Chippy. Then I met a lady at they gym who told me she'd recently given birth in the Spires and couldn't praise it enough....so I am back to square one. I have a feeling my MW would push for Chippy, but I feel just as confused now as before.

It's not like you can change your mind when you're in labour....

OP posts:

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