Maternity care at GWH Swindon

[Luckyme30]

I appreciate this is a question not many can answer but would be so grateful if anyone who’s currently having maternity care or had maternity care at GWH in Swindon could let me know your experiences?

I am tempted to transfer my care there as my most local hospital is not my first choice.

Thanks in advance :)

Haven't had baby yet, but maternity care so far has been great. I've had the same midwife throughout. Have had to go into hospital a few times for monitoring and have always been really impressed. Low risk pregnancy so can't comment on those you need more intervention in pregnancy.

@vickielisabeth that’s great to hear!! I could go to the JR but have had previous gynae treatment at GWH and they were fab!

Have you had recent appointments? How has it been in the current climate?

Glad to help 😊. Next antenatal appt is next week so not sure what's happening with that yet. Had to go in for some monitoring at gwh at the weekend though and they were fab, got straight through on the phone, discussed the pros and cons of me coming in given the situation and decided to come in. Hospital was the quietest I'd ever seen it and delivery ward (where I was monitored) was also very quiet. Only came into contact with dr and midwife who were both very careful with hand washing and I was in and out as quickly as possible. Midwife was also very reassuring which I really appreciated given everything going on.

I gave birth 3 weeks ago at GWH. I was consultant led so have had numerous visits, I was induced and eventually had an EMCS and I could not fault any of the care I received. Let me know if you have any particular questions!

Due to some of the complications with my pregnancy I was sent to JR for tests and may have been referred to give birth there. Nothing wrong with the staff but I hated the building and dreaded that I might have to give birth there!

Really pleased that they seemed t be taking good measures there!

I’ve been really impressed with my previous visits for various other issues but haven’t experienced any maternity stuff.

I’m only 8 weeks pregnant so I am yet to visit but from what you’ve said it seems they’ve been very good :)

Hope all ok after your visits at the weekend :)

@Sekwsr73 so sorry I didn’t see your reply!

Do you mind me asking what you thought of the consultants you encountered there? We’re they all understanding etc? I’ve had some gynae issues previously and so suffer from PTSD and I’m struggling at the moment.

I am not keen to go to the JR but luckily I’m a similar distance from both the JR and GWH and find parking etc at the GWH stress free whereas the JR is just a nightmare!

I take it they could not offer the tests you needed at GWH? That’s my only concern is are they as ‘high Tech’ as the JR..

I had an EMCS at the GWH after starting off in the birth centre there. I had a good experience, I felt like my thoughts and opinions were listened to, all the options and steps taken were explained to me, and my anaesthetist and surgeon did a great job. I stayed in for two nights after the birth in a private room and was very happy with the care I received.

@Luckyme30 sorry to hear that but I found the consultants were great. The only thing that annoyed me was that I was blindsided by being told I had to be induced. I basically went to one of my appointments and they booked it, I presume they thought the midwives had discussed it with me. They were very nice and helpful when I burst into tears as I didn’t want to be induced 🙈

I only had to go to JR as there was an expert in the field for my condition. I thought that was pretty great of them and any other hospital may have just winged it! In your case of course the other hospital would be JR

The parking at JR is terrible! 50mins my partner had to wait for a space, luckily they were running 1 and a half hours late 🙈

I had my last baby there 18months ago, was induced but had my own room. Moved to the white horse birthing suite where I got my water birth and was home about 6 hours later. Can't really fault them to be honest but had no prior experience to base it on and a relatively uncomplicated pregnancy.
I've just moved house and am 35 weeks with second baby, i want a home birth this time but have to go under the care of JR for it so dreading ending having to go and deliver there if they suspend home births or there's complications

Thank you all for your replies!!

It looks like you’ve all had really positive experiences there and I have to say I’m not sure I can deal with the parking situation at the JR!

@porridgeface Fingers crossed they don’t suspend them but If they do, hope all goes well for you. I have many friends who have given birth at the JR and they’ve not had a bad word to say...

Were you all in area at GWH, as in was it your most local hospital? I think I would be under the care of JR so will need to find out how I go about switching to GWH but assume I just need to ask my midwife :)

I have my booking in appointment on Weds next week - assume it’s still going ahead as haven’t heard any different... yet!

Just seen this, I had my last son at GWH and will have this one there. I've had 3 c sections, 2 at other hospitals and I have to say out the 3 GWH was by far the best for delivery and immediate aftercare while there.

@em90792 good to hear that you’ve had positive experiences there.

Can I ask with your c-section was it difficult to get agreement for? I’m currently at the JR - although early days as only 13 weeks I mentioned a section to my midwife and she shot me down..

I can choose to transfer to GWH if I want to as currently under the JR - so far they haven’t been too bad but there have been a few niggles at the JR.

I had emergency with my first, and was advised to have one with my second due to preeclampsia, after that I've been advised its safer to have one so cant really advise whether it's easy or not depending on circumstances. I guess it depends what the reasons are.

But with regards to care etc I'd recommend. They seem thorough and I definitely had my best treatment there.

How did you get on at your booking with your transfer request?
I'm under care of doctors in Oxfordshire so usually they would send me to JR but at the time of first baby I lived in Swindon so was able to be put under care of GWH. Simple through pregnancy but a bit more admin and chasing after baby was born to get them registered with a local GP/ HV etc, all good in the end though.
I'm due second any day now and have since moved house (halfway between both hospitals) initially at booking I requested to go under GWH but then transferred to JR care at 34 weeks (purely due to the home birth situation). Was simple enough, they just made me a new set of maternity notes and arranged and additional scan as standard at JR is to have a scan at 36wk.