Bristol Hospitals - St Michael's or Southmead?!

[downthelane]

Hi all, I am 13 weeks pregnant and have been told I have to choose which hospital we want to have our baby at this week. I am feeling very confused as I have friends who say good and bad about both. Any up to date thoughts and comments would be gratefully received about how you made your choice or the experiences you have had. I have slightly raised blood pressure which I am being told means I will probably end up in the consultant led bit rather than the midwife led area, but not for definite if I have a choice!
Many thanks for any help - I am feeling rather bewildered!

Hi. Can't really help as I am in the same boat, albeit slightly further behind at 10wks. I had no idea they made you choose so early. I will probably opt fir St Michael's as it's much closer to me, but I think there is an NHS website where you can compare maternity provision. I found it while googlingvsome pregnancy related topic and it was quite interesting.

A paediatrician friend of mine told me to go for southmead as she think the paediatric cover isn't good enough at night, if there is a problem with your baby. She also said southmead better at dealing with normal babies, as st michaels gets all the transfers for weird and wonderful tertiary referral stuff
HTH

I would say Southmead. St Mike's (where I had both of mine)is a bit scruffy and old fashioned, parking also a huuuge issue for visitors if you're in for any length of time. Also if you would like a 'natural' birth Southmead is more set-up for it.

I was born at Southmead, so must be good!!!

Ds was southmead 2009. We did lovely natural birth suite till it got too much and wet across the corridor for epidural and then eventually down another corridor to emcs. Staff were fab and really couldn't fault them.

Just remembered I saw info on a new midwife led birth centre at cossham opening in 2011. Don't know if it's ready in time for you. It's on pg 6 of this hospital magazine. here

Southmead great when I had DS, induced after co plications at 37 weeks and had the most fantastic midwife and all the staff were great. The food is awful so make sure you take your own or get DP to bring it in!
But NCT friends were happy with St Michaels so maybe choose the nearest one to you? If you live in south Bristol the trip to southmead is longer so possibly more stressful in labour?

Good luck anyway!

Vote for St Michael's, although have to say that I changed at the very last minute. Had decided on Southmead, and had ante natal care there, which was fine, but found out that they didn't have air conditioning. May have changed since, but this was in that hot hot summer of 2006 so had DD there and subsequently DS.

They are both good, and depends on where you live, although St Michael's may be easier on public transport. There's also the Cabot Circus park and ride link.

Hi, I had both dcs at southmead, in 2008 and 2010. Great medical team and midwives both times. They saved dd's life. Can get bus direct from centre of bris. Highly recommend - other friends who went there recently say the same.

Am having ELCS at St Mikes in 5 weeks my friend just had her little boy there as she is diabetic and said it was excellent...lovely midwives and great food!!!

I've had both DD's at SM and am having DD3 there in 12 weeks. I have always found the MW's and nurses to be really good - DD1 spent a few nights in NICU when she was first born.

I have friends who have had their DC in St Michaels and have also had good experiences.

I would go for whichever is closest!

I was warned off St Michaels but still went as lived within walking distance. It was absolutely fine, the midwives were lovely, no complaints. Have nothing to compare it to yet. Next time I'll probably go for Southmead but only because I now live within walking distance!

Thank you so much everyone, I so appreciate you taking the time to give me your stories and advice, still undecided as there seems to be pros and cons for both. We are out in Nailsea so they are both a distance and one not that much further than the other. Cleanliness, attitude of the staff and the facilities are highest priorities to me. Anymore advice happily received!!!