Anyone has/going to give birth at the John Radcliffe help with some questions?

[User21276799]

I'm booked in at the JR and feel good about the decision, as I've heard a lot of great experiences from other local mums. However, I am 'out of county' so my own midwife doesn't know anything about the hospital policies and practices. I've seen there are quite a few Oxford-based ladies on MN so hoping someone can help with my questions...

Do the midwives in the women's centre allow you to eat and drink throughout labour?

Are the midwives in general supportive of active labour and 'mobile monitoring'?

Did you get/do you still expect one-to-one midwife care as advertised on the DVD?

Did you manage to view the facilities at all, or is the DVD really the only way to see them?

Is/was there anything in the hospital practices that you aren't/weren't comfortable with, and someone giving birth there for the first time should be aware of?

Thanks so much in advance

I had my first baby at the JR in 2009 and am booked in to have DC2 there in April. With my first I had planned a home water birth but had to go into hospital, so it really wasn't what I'd planned at all (that's birth for you!) but it was a really good experience. To answer your questions:

• they were fine re: drinks, didn't feel like eating but they were very relaxed so I wouldn't think this would be a problem (MWs were in and out during stage 1 so weren't watching me all the time)
• yes v supportive (although personally all I wanted to do was lie down anyway!) I had continous monitoring anyway but they were happy for me to move around as much as I could
• not 1 to 1 at first but still felt I had plenty of attention as several midwives came in to see me, also responded quickly if I buzzed - they were incredibly busy but still everyone took the time to read my birth plan (and it was long and full of wishful thinking!!). For 2nd stage I had a senior midwife who stayed the whole time, she was brilliant (hope I get her again this time!)
• I hadn't planned a hospital birth so can't advise on this!

-not really, although I found breastfeeding support on the postnatal ward was a bit patchy, everyone tried to help but I got a lot of different (sometimes conflicting) advice. Apparently the dedicated BFing support cafe is v. good but I didn't know about this at the time.

So generally a really good experience and I feel confident about going back for my second birth soon. Also was in the DAU last week for monitoring and they were so nice, couldn't fault them (although did have to wait 2 hrs - not their fault as it was mega busy).

Good luck

Thanks newbroom this is really helpful and reassuring. I'm worried about getting hungry/thirsty during labour (I need to eat hourly under normal circumstances!) so the nil-by-mouth thing really worried me in particular. Great to hear you had a lot of attention and senior midwifery support. I feel quite excited about going now

Hope it all goes well for you with the birth of DC2!

I had both DCs at the JR (in 2007 and 2009) and will be back there soon to have DC 3. I had fantastic experiences both times. I was in delivery suite for both (Spires not built in 2007 and in 2009 it happened to be full when I was in labour). All the midwives who looked after me were excellent. I'm looking forward to the third time around!