Picking a hospital: Bolton or Wigan

[RachelMCS]

I'm in the process of choosing a hospital and the current local options are Wigan or Bolton. Has anyone any advice they can give/feedback about their experience using either of those? Thanks!!

Hi OP. I had my first at Bolton- I was technically in the catchment area for Wigan and so was classed as out of area at Bolton but chose it because it has the MIdwife led unit there which is much more relaxed atmosphere home from home type. I know people who have had their children at Wigan and it is labour ward only and has quite strict rules (or did 4 years ago!) about restricted mealtimes etc. I dont like hospitals and didn’t fancy being alone when they sent dh away at those times. Bolton’s midwife led unit on the other hand allows 2 people with you at all times- there is even a spare bed for dh to stay with you overnight if that’s when you deliver etc.

Now all that said- I got to the hospital with only 20 minutes to spare and so was whizzed straight on to normal labour ward and didn’t actually see the MLU at all. Meant I got my birth that I wanted with no interventions whatsoever- literally asked midwife if I was ok to be pushing and she said ‘yep go for it’ and out DS popped! Haha

We had to stay in overnight not because there were any complications but because it was a Sunday and we were out of area we had to be seen in hospital for certain checks that if in area they would have done in the community. Meant that I did end up staying over night solo as was antenatal ward due to not making the MLU but I was fortunate to get a private room!

Sorry that’s a huge rabble isn’t it! Hope it’s useful! I’m expecting number 2 now and probably going to opt for a home birth mainly because we nearly missed hospital last time. Nearest hospital is still Wigan (we’ve moved so even further away from Bolton now) so will wind up there if god forbid there’s any complications!

Bolton staff were amazing btw!

I’ve no experience of Bolton but had my three DD’s at Wigan and have no complaints at all. The midwives were all absolutely lovely (especially the Irish one I had with dd2) and the care for me and the babies was great.

@Ibizababyy thank you so much! That's so helpful. We've actually opted for bolton as the midwife said we need to make a choice ASAP to get the appointments started.

From looking online they look like the better option, although I have heard positive reviews about Wigan too.

We're probably in the catchment for Wigan really, being located in Leigh/Lowton.

With it being my first I really have no idea what I'm looking for so getting some first hand feedback is great ☺️. I would love the idea of a home birth but with it being the first time I think we are pretty set on the hospital option.

Hope everything goes well with yours x

@Kim82 thanks for the feedback! My midwife for my booking in appointment did recommend Wigan as she works there. I've heard positive reviews. We've currently opted for Bolton as we were able to find out a bit more about it. Fingers crossed it's the right choice ☺️

I had both mine at Bolton and the care I received both times was exemplary.

I had some complications second time around and the team just got on and dealt with it, saving my life, while supporting me and the hubby emotionally, nothing was beyond them at all, from the consultants to the hcp, they all wanted to ensure I was ok.

Every one I had dealings with was amazing, and I can't speak highly enough of the team there.

Congratulations, and I hope you have a lovely and healthy remainder of your pregnancy.

Hi!!

My mum is the head of midwifery at bolton (namechanged for this!!!)

Shes amazing and manages an amazing team (yes i know shes my mum but its true!!)

Genuinely the staff care about the women and their welfare so much and I can vouch for the fact this comes from senior leadership team!!

Also there is the AMAZING INGLESIDE BIRTH CENTRE which is an amazing relaxing environment midwife lead in parkland

@MM29 I think I may have met your mum during a debrief then, such a lovely lady, no wonder the team are fab being led by her!

@MM29 oh, no way! That's good to hear ☺️. I honestly had no idea which hospital to go for so hearing so much positive feedback about Bolton has definitely put my mind at ease. I'm yet to even have an appointment there, just waiting for a letter so really appreciate the feedback!

@WishMyNameWasWittyNotShitty oh, amazing! I'm hoping everything is straight forward but I have a couple of potential complications due to hereditary issues so I really wanted to make sure I was going to a good hospital where the care is good and they know what they're doing. Really grateful for your feedback!

Our midwife had recommended Wigan but seems that Bolton has got a lot more positive feedback ☺️

m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=162138938290221&id=100034823481623&sfnsn=mo

There are lots of stories on the facebook page too they love to share womens experiences

@MM29 oh, that's great! I couldn't get the link to work. Do you know what the page is called? ☺️

Also, could I ask everyone. Did you use the main hospital or Ingleside when going to Bolton? We're planning to use the main Bolton hospital but we were a bit unclear on the process/the ward set up when going there xx

I used the main hospital, my initial plan was to use the birthing suite at the main hospital, however I ended up on the central delivery both times due to my complications during labour.
I started up in the birthing suite though, and I'm glad I used the main hospital as otherwise I could have ended up having a 20 minute journey from ingleside to the hospital, instead of just going down one the lift, I would have loved to use ingleside though as it looks so lovely and calm.
The birthing suite and central delivery at Bolton are lovely too, very calm, modern and have everything you might need.
The antenatal dept is a bit outdated (decor) but the delivery areas are really lovely.
Maybe do a tour of both Bolton and Wigan to get a feel for them x

@WishMyNameWasWittyNotShitty we did request a tour when meeting with the midwife but she said it's not really ideal to go and look beforehand. We're pretty set on using the main Bolton hospital, but I did think Ingleside looked really nice. But like you said, we would rather be in the main hospital in case of any issues. Thanks for the information!!

That's weird as they arranged formal ones when I had my first haha!
Tbh, a quick look around isn't going to be like when you need to go in, the staff are the ones who make you comfortable as much as they can.
The birthing suite and delivery rooms at Bolton, while they don't overlook a park, they really are lovely, they are private, fairly quiet and they do try to help you feel home from home, obviously the delivery rooms are a bit more clinical due to the monitors being available in there, but still very comfortable.

Good luck Lovely x

Can't comment on obstetrics or midwifery but Bolton has fab paediatricians and anaesthetists should you need them!

Hi OP, hope all went well with your pregnancy! you may not pick this up but I live near you and have to make the same choice - we had our first born in Bolton when we lived there and now live in Leigh so Wigan is the natural choice seemingly. Plus it means my interim appointments are Leigh rather than Bolton which would be handy (though not essential). I know Bolton though and it was lovely there - did you manage to find out much about the facilities at Wigan in the end? The websites aren't much use!!

I live 5 mins from Ingleside and have been for appointments at both Ingleside and Bolton. The staff at both places have been nothing but amazing, they've been wonderful. I read on here about women struggling to get appointments during Covid but my care has been exemplary.

Ingleside is lovely, so non-clinical and calm, but I'm leaning towards birthing at Bolton MLU just cos i'm a FTM and anxious about having to transfer in an ambulance if there were complications. I spoke to my midwife about it at my 28w appt, and she said we'd have a proper chat about it and she'd show me statistics etc at my 36w appt to help me make my decision.

@heroine I remember them mentioning ingleside to me when I had my first a couple of years ago but I felt the same - I wanted doctors on hand just in case. In the end he was breach and Bolton don't allow natural breach births (or didn't then) so it had to be a section at RBH. My friend had her baby at ingleside though and it was lovely. I'd love a waterbirth this time round - was gutted to have that choice taken from me last time!

Another vote for Bolton here.
I've been on pretty much every ward in the maternity department and they've all been great.
My first pregnancy was straightforward, though went overdue and induced, resulting in a EMCS and baby in Nicu.
My second pregnancy was high risk and sadly ended in the delivery suite at 22wks. I cannot praise highly enough the care and attention I had throughout. The staff were wonderful and made an awful situation as gentle as possible.

The only downside is the lack of birthing pools available, unless there are more installed since my first delivery.

Good luck x