Expecting in Oxford in 2011 anyone?

[Jer79]

Wondering if anyone else is having a baby in Oxford this year (2011)? I am due in the summer and would love to meet other mothers-to-be who live around.

Yep, am due April 29th and hoping to use The Spires, though may well end up in the standard JR delivery suite as there's only capacity for two women apparently.

I think there are a few of us in Oxford knocking around on here...

I'm in Botley, how about you?

Hi! I'm only just over 5 weeks pregnant. I'm in kidlington. What is the Spires?

Hello

The Spires is the midwife led unit on level 7 of the JR's Women's Centre. It has a more 'homey' relaxed atmosphere than the delivery suite and is less clinical. But only 2 women at a time can use it, or so I was told by a midwife this morning. It's quite handy, because if you do need any medical intervention from doctors you just get in the lift and go down a couple of floors!

Oh wow! Sounds good! If everything goes according to plan- then we're hiring a doula. We will hopefully try birthing at home... FX: wishing desperately that we won't need to go to hospital if everything runs smoothly.

Helloooo! I am due in mid-August & in South Oxford, planning a home birth at the moment but may wuss out nearer the time I wonder why Spires only has capacity for two when on the website it says there are 3 rooms up there? I shall enquire next time I see MW.

Yeah, I was a bit confused by that too, owlbooty. But the midwife at our 'parent craft class' this morning said that it was only staffed by two midwives, despite the fact it had three rooms. It may just have been too early on a Saturday morning for her though!

I thought about a home birth (hate hate hate hospitals), but want the reassurance that help is close at hand should I need it. Not sure I want to be stuck on the ring road at rush hour it it came to that! The Spires seems to be the best compromise, but it has such limited capacity, so it's first come first served. If only I could programme this baby to come at a pre-determined time and date!

Hi, I'm in Oxford (Wolvercote) and am 36wks. As CaringForPod mentioned there seems to be a few of us on here form in and around Oxford.

I'm planning to use the Spires (if there's room!) and have my next antenatal appointment there instead of with my usual MW so that I can have a look and get my bearings. (Yes, everytime I've gone to the JR I've got lost... don't want to have to rely on my GCSE Geography skills while in labour! )

I live outside of Oxford and had my DD at the Horton in Banbury in 2009. I highly recommend it and plan on using it again if I decide against a homebirth with DC2. The care I received was second to none and it has a much more homely and caring feeling than the JR being that it is smaller and more self-contained. I don't know anyone who's used the Spires, but a few who've used the JR. They've had alright experiences, but I'm still enamoured by the Horton!

Hello, also in Oxford, on the same antenatal club as Beetlebaby being 35 weeks! Also hoping to be in the Spires unit - perhaps we'll end up in there together, Beetle?! Oxford seems like a good place for having babies, good hospital care and lots of mum and baby drop in centres around the city for the early days.

That's even odder, Pod ; the birth centre I used to work in (am not a MW) was run so that the community MWs came in to deliver their ladies then left again. I'm not worried about being stuck on the ring road but the mW told me that, if there was even the faintest possibility that I might want a home birth, to stick it on the notes, get all set up for it - and then it's easy to change your mind and go to the hospital. I figured in August (very busy month) my chances of actually getting in the Spires were pretty rubbish.

I hope we don't all end up on the delivery suite instead demanding epidurals

Btw; anyone who is near the children's centre in Grandpont - it's really nice there, lots of play sessions and support sessions etc.

The Elms Road Nursery/Children's Centre also has lots of good stuff going on for those on that side of the city. Had a nosey there the other day and there seem to be tons of sessions.

Daisy17/Beetlebaby - are you taking/did you take NCT classes with Virgil? We have our first one on Tuesday.

Beetlebaby - is it common practice to have your antenatal appointments at the Spires? Sounds like a great idea, if it's possible. I know they don't do tours of the JR delivery suite anymore, which is a bit rubbish.

LittleWhiteWolf - would love to use the Horton (or even better Chippy, where I was born myself!), but sadly they're a bit far when the JR is just a couple of miles down the road. No-one I know has had a horrific experience in the delivery suite there, unless they're just being kind! I think it's just so-so really. Hoping that there's room at the Spires...

I'm in Oxford and am 37 weeks, just finishing my antenatal classes with Virgil. Would like to meet more mums too I'm in east Oxford. Planning to have this one in the delivery suite.

Right Jer - we are going to meet up - PM me and give me some dates on Oxford and I'll pootle in..if there are cakes involved!

Brilliant, there are loads of us! I am in Jericho, and 24 weeks now. What antenatal classes did you all choose? Anyone doing the NCT one in Kidlington?

Beetlebaby and Bubba you are due so soon! Have you found the JR pretty good so far? I'm finding them really helpful.

Pod you aren't far behind them, it'll be so interesting to hear how you all get on at the Spires. I'm going for an epidural, so straight to the delivery ward for me.

I'm booked for NCT ones in Botley - not Virgil, I think someone else is doing it. Not til May, though as only 18 weeks today.

V.nice to see lots of other locals on here :)

I'm IN kidlington. Where are the NCT classes running then- and when? Still early days: how far along do you have to be to attend then? Sorry for being so ignorant- first timer: can't you tell? Also no spring chicken either! How old are you ladies: just out of interest?!

Jer You're just down the road (sort of) from me and would really like to meet other mums/mums to be around Oxford especially if there is cake!

I've found the care (both the MW, GP and at the JR) good so far though as this is our first so nothing to compare it to! If I've had questions there's always been someone happy to answer and when I needed physio for SPD was very impressed with how quick the referral went through.

We didn't do the NCT classes (not enough pennies) and went to the Parentcraft classes at the JR. Given the stretched resources that the NHS deals with I was impressed with what was covered and how helpful the MW running the session was. I'm not saying they were perfect (the early 90's video covering pain relief options was a case of hilarity rather than education!) and could have done with three instead of two sessions but they were free, covered what was needed, allowed space for questions and the MW took the time to make sure that everyone understood what was been said. Also there were some good biscuits on offer . Maybe not so good if your looking to meet other parents rather than just get the info though.

Hi all. I'm near Kidlington too diamonds. 26 weeks with my second, also have a 16 month old - going to have my hands full in 3 months time

Would really like to come along to a meet-up. How about Starbucks at the Pear Tree roundabout one night? That's fairly 'in the middle' of Oxford for everyone...

Hi, Shall we do a due date/info list? Also how many of you know your baby's gender? I couldn't wait!

CaringForPod - April 29th 2011 - Botley
Jer79 - June 22nd 2011 - Jericho (Girl)

Helloooo :) Am from Abingdon, nearly 39 weeks pregnant with my 3rd which have been told is a girl and plan on going to the JR :) due 21st March

CaringForPod - April 29th 2011 - Botley
Jer79 - June 22nd 2011 - Jericho (Girl) 1st baby
Steph28uk - March 21st 2011 - Abingdon (Girl) 3rd Baby

Hello Oxford people. I have a 4 month old and thought I'd chime in in the Spires - I've never heard of anyone who wanted to use it not being able to! The worst I've heard is people don't get the room they want!

CaringForPod - April 29th 2011 - Botley
Jer79 - June 22nd 2011 - Jericho (Girl) 1st baby
Steph28uk - March 21st 2011 - Abingdon (Girl) 3rd Baby
owlbooty - August 7th 2011 - Kennington (probably) boy 1st Baby

I had my first at the Spires, it was an amazing experience, it is really great up there. Having this one at home.

CaringForPod - April 29th 2011 - Botley
Jer79 - June 22nd 2011 - Jericho (Girl) 1st baby
Steph28uk - March 21st 2011 - Abingdon (Girl) 3rd Baby
owlbooty - August 7th 2011 - Kennington (probably) boy 1st Baby
pipcarrier - June 11th - North Oxford 2nd baby don't know gender