Apparently the hospital (Royal Berkshire) I am booked into has started to turn away labouring women due to severe staff shortages - happened 5 times in April and May apparently. Given that September when I am due seems to be the busiest month in the birth calender I'm starting to get a bit twitchy.
I know 1st labours can be slow anyway so in theory we'd have plenty of time to drive to Basingstoke or Ascot (about 45 mins - 1hr if no traffic) but what if it progresses quicker than usual?
Has anyone else been in this situation and what was the outcome? Should I just try and book into another hospital that's less busy and not take the risk?