Wakefield/Leeds Mums/Mums to be

[PurpleFlower1983]

I’m just curious as to where you will be giving birth. My natural choice should be Pinderfields as it’s closest but I’ve heard so many negative stories about over staffing/bad care after birth etc. that it’s putting me off. I do fear this is the same everywhere though. I wondered if I would be better at the LGI.

I’ve heard good things about Barnsley but it’s a bit far away and my husband works in Leeds. Pontefract midwife led unit also has good feedback (when it actually has enough staff to open) and is 5 minutes away but I’m 35, it’s my first and I’d like to be a bit closer to a doctor.

Any thoughts?

BTW I am not criticising the staff, I know they are run off their feet and always strive to provide the best care possible under ever worsening conditions. I feel incredibly lucky to have the NHS.

Hiya, I'm in Leeds and we've opted for St James's despite living closer to LGI. I was having appointments at St James's at the recurrent MC clinic and got used to the hospital and saw several of the OBs there who also work in antenatal as well so feel quite comfortable knowing that some of the same people will be around from literally day one of my pregnancy. I had my 12wk scan there last week and really liked the staff I met there so far.

And while it seems like a silly reason as well, I feel like it's a bit more accessible for parking etc. despite being less than 10mins drive from the centre of Leeds.

The 'Which?' stats are fairly similar to LGI.
I think the main thing to consider if how comfortable you'll be and you can always visit the departments and change your mind.

Hi, I gave birth at Pinderfields. They were lovely and very helpful and I had none of the issues you've mentioned :)

I'm in Leeds and will be having baby at LGI, I also had my DD there. I Had a mostly positive experience last time, midwives were lovely. I've also been in for monitoring due to reduced movements and honestly, they couldn't have been nicer. Only downside to LGI is the parking!

I had my first at the LGI 5 years ago and it was absolutely awful. But it was 5 years ago, and my experience is probably not relevant to this thread!

I'll be going to St James' this time, partly because I don't want to go back to the same wards etc that I had a hard time in before. But I have found St James' a bit easier to get around for appointments (and the parking is massively easier -- I know this sounds trivial, but it does make a difference if you are in and out of hospital for whatever reason, and particularly if you are travelling in from Wakey).

I’m going to Pinderfields and my sister in law just recently gave birth there too and she didn’t have any problems 😊

I’m going to pinderfields for an ELCS. Had my last three DC at LGI and it wasn’t great but it was years ago, things may have changed.

Thanks guys you’ve reassured me. I’ve had 3 friends have poor experiences at Pinderfields within the last 18 months but it sounds like they may have just been unlucky.