Sazz, you didn't miss me off, I hadn't replied yet! Thanks for the offer to come along after school, if it was any other week I probably would but we're only getting back from my Mum's (in Switzerland - hence my username) on Tuesday, a knackering 15+ hr trip.
Pat, Thanks. Agree with you about soft play during half term and little ones, not a good mix. Mornings can be do-able, again depending on which day we choose.
Where I had my dcs - DS in 2005 @ Glos MW-led unit, despite me choosing CL-unit (long story) and problems with faulty stiches (even longer story) I swore never to go there again. Fwiw, m/w care was good. DD1 in 2006 @ Chelt, fantastic labour/delivery/postnatal care even though they were full and were turning people away I didn't get "kicked out" until I was ready to go after 48 hrs. DD2 in 2008 @ Chelt, great labour/water birth, appalling 3rd stage in theatre, staff were awful (not going into details on here), great postnatal m/ws on ward, crap consultant debrief 2wks later. Draw your own conclusions. All I would say is that personally,in spite of my experiences, I will not give birth outside a hospital (and not because epidurals aren't available, I never had/wanted one) but going to Stroud for recovery sounds like a very nice idea. I'd never heard of that option.