What to do for my booking in appointment?

[SaltedCaramelEverything]

Recently found out I’m pg with dc2
When I had DC1 I went to the gp to notify (as that’s what receptionist told me to do!). She said I didn’t need an appointment, that I could have made a midwife booking in appointment online. She then showed me but did it for me. All fine. Went to the appointment. Midwife asked us which hospital we wanted and we said oh of course we want hospital A as it’s nearest (and didn’t know there was a choice nearly!).

However I had a bad experience at hospital A with DC1 - who is fine but we just always said we wouldn’t go back.

Now I don’t know what to do about booking in. GP receptionist wasn’t much help - said I need to choose now and then make my booking in appointment for that area. We’d like hospital B - a friend loved it. Though it means all antenatal appointments would be there and it’s a bit of a drive. Whereas with hospital A I could have all my appointments at the local children’s centre.

I’m worried that if I book in with the local trust, and have an appointment locally, I won’t then be able to change to hospital B?

I’m open to a conversation with a local midwife re hospital A and how things could be different this time (think it will be a planned section after what happened).

Bit of a ramble! Hope I’ve made sense. Any advice on who I can call or if it’s ok to book locally and then change my mind?

Thanks

You can book locally and then change your mind. They will just send your notes off to the other hospital when you switch over.

I’d start with an initial appointment with the midwife attached to your GP surgery and have a chat with her about options? She should be able to book you into hospital B if that’s what you decide? That’s how it works here but may vary by area.
You can generally change till quite late on (I checked at my booking appt) so it’s worth keeping Options open if you can at this point?
Congratulations on pregnancy :)

It might be different in your area, however my hospital comes under a different trust and I have found I only have to travel for blood tests and scans etc. All my usual midwife appointments can be done locally, and the test results will be sent to them. It's a bit of a pain but I think it's worth it for the hospital we want and are familiar with

Sorry, should add my booking in appointment was in the same trust as the hospital, but all other ones will be at the local clinic

Thanks for the advice all. Have submitted to A and will discuss then move to B (though hopefully a bit later on as doing appointments more locally would be handy if that’s possible!!)